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From: nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: A Band Beyond Description
Message-ID: <229@sdcc12.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 2-Apr-85 19:44:11 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc12.229
Posted: Tue Apr  2 19:44:11 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 4-Apr-85 06:53:45 EST
References: <1439@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
Lines: 48

> 
> 
> >     One unique thing about Grateful Dead concerts is that approximately
> >30-50% of the attendees are tripping....
> >                                 C. Charlie
> 
> 	I don't know where you came up with that figure - maybe 15
> years ago it was close, but not nowadays.  Of many people I have known
> to attend Dead shows, very few were tripping, less than 5%.

     You are probably right, my figures are high, but the %age is higher
than you think.


> 	Your point of view brings up another aspect about the Dead,
> that all of their fans, no matter how devoted, swear by them for many
> reasons; you can easily find a few fans who have vastly different
> outlooks as to why the Dead are so magical.  Your love of the band
> seems to be based on the "unbelievable experience" of being in an
> "alternate reality".  I can't say that I share this feeling, since
> I've never tripped.  I have at times let the music fill my head and
> carry me off to somewhere out there, but not at the same level as your
> hallucinations.
> 	 Some like yourself look upon the experience as more of a
> social phenomenon, some are into it because of the music, some for a
> little bit of both, others for very different reasons.  


> 				Dave Coleman

     Please dont put words in my mouth.  The music is what is important.
Everything else is there to help to increase the awareness and
appreciation of the music.  The "unbelievable experience" is the music
accentuated by Deadhead crowd, and the "alternate reality".  There are
no hallucinations when using these things.  You are just "in touch" with
your feelings and senses in a new and special way.  


     I think it would be a mistake to continue in this discussion if it
degrades into a competition as to who enjoys the Dead more.  We all
agree (at least those of us who have experienced them) that a Grateful
Dead concert is a great thing.  I wont try to take away your way of
enjoying it.  I dont want to because it is also my way most of the
time.    I just cant wait until my next time. 


                                - C. Charlie