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From: nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: Are The Grateful Dead A Political Band?
Message-ID: <238@sdcc12.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 10-Apr-85 10:50:12 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc12.238
Posted: Wed Apr 10 10:50:12 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Apr-85 02:06:38 EST
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     As an avid Dead fan for going on 15 years now, and as a sometimes
political activist, I have always been disappointed with the apolitical
nature of the Dead and their songs.  I have felt that the Deads lyrics
and activities were an attempt to promote positive asspects of American
culture but these attempts fell short becouse of their distannce from
the political arena.  It has onlybeen lately that I have learned that
they have been active in a moderate way.   I have found out that they
have been doing benefit concerts for what I consider worthy causes for
going back to the begining.  Forgetting the concerts for the Hells
Angels ( a group that I do not consider a positive political force) they
have done concerts for Angela Davis and the Black Panthers (both with
poor P.R. but positive and potent forces in their time) for Tom Hayden
and anti-nuclear groups. 

     Now we are finding political messages in their song.  I should have
said blatent political messages, I believe that their lyrics have always
been political in a positive sence all along, but on a alegorical level.
One of their latest songs, "Throwing Stones" is and obvious anti-nuclear
war song.

    I am happy  to see it. 

                             - Andy Bindman

P.S. Only three days to two glorious nights at Irvine.

"Singing ashes, ashes all fall down..."