REVIEW OF DEADHEADS FOR OBAMA:
From their beginning 40 years ago and up to this present day, “The Grateful Dead” has been a creative and cultural epicenter of the Psychedelic Cultural Revolution. However, in all that time, even in the face of great political adversity such as the Reagan or first Bush era’s, the band, as a group has remained quiet, politically. 2008 and the compounding crisis’s of this election year finally changed that with two reunion shows of “The Dead” I attended the second and far larger show ( Est. 15000) on Oct 13th at the Penn State Campus in State College PA. This show was amazing three reasons;

Politically, what makes this amazing is the spiritual and cultural energy that psychedelic events produce. When a rock star makes a statement, it is sometimes seen as self absorbed, in the festival setting, the inclusive element one feels gives political interaction empowerment. The message was to engage, contribute and participate. Penn State; an event of 15000 has a real chance of affecting this election. In a college environment, if this event is successful in swaying this very important election, a whole new generation could study political empowerment through music community and art.

The second reason why this show was amazing was because it was a family reunion. I traveled there with my daughter and about 30 of her friends to be part of history. On top of that I ran into about 50 or so people I had not seen in years. In these very difficult times I cannot emphasize my heartfelt joy to be surrounded by so much true family.

Finally my third reason was that the music could not be beat. Warren Haynes sat in the hot seat, performing with his usual class and style. The rest of the band was not just on target musically, but one could sense the camaraderie among them as they clearly were on a shared sense of mission. Finally the song list reflected beautifully the vision and hope who all of us who politically wish for a better day.

Liquid-Steve G

You should all know that Dr Martin Luther king’s family does not support Obama, but Mc Cain. That’s because they know that Obama is in the hip pocket of Planned Parenthood and the genocide of unborn (espcialy black) children…not to mention the disabling of women..check out youtube for Alveeda King (MLK’s Neice, also a doctor and minister, as is his daughter) ever wonder why the mainstream media doesn’t allow you to hear from them? I dare you…check it out…..I like Ron Paul

never call phil old and tired your old a tired

After 25 years of following faithfully; no more…

Old and tired throwbacks to another time belong in retirement homes not pushing Muslim-based candidates….

I think it’s awsome! Most of you you know the Dead started off A-political. Now, we (they) are forced to take a stand against our government, and the possible occupation of 4 more terrible years made possible by the Republicans. Bob Weir told me 10 years before Al Gore even was in office that he was Friends with him and that he would be president one day. Well, we all know he should have been, but we had a true republican Government takeover of our future due to the Criminals in Florida as well as our supreme court. All of the things most of us Love and care for are at stake here and any of you who just writes in here how they don’t think the Dead should enter into politics. Well, none of the mostly A-pathetic youth and musicians today care nothing and just ride the winds where they take them. I am a huge Barack supporter and a 30 member of the Grateful Dead’s long strange trip. For me this is like putting chocolate in my peanut butter. I have already given to the campaign and now I can see the Dead for less money than I already donated. Thank goodness someone cares! The rest of the worlds citizens make their government afraid of them. We are the largest most powerful government on the planet and WE FEAR our government. This has to change, this is why I am supporting Barack Obama. Once in awhile you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right!

WOW how political you wanna be. Phils son volunteered, just like allot of us but can he help it if his dad’s band wants to help out too. No. I think its great that he is supporting his son’s intrest and that the Boyz find Obama a worthy canidate. An yes, Jerry probobly would have voted for Ron Paul seeing as he is the biggest republican supporter of NORML & decriminalization. He’ll be there with us in spirit!! Lets ROCK PA!!!! Such a long, long time to be gone & a short time to be there!!!

what an incredible band in all forms.free 2 b no matter what the sheep say or do. only in america do u freely revote stupidity (g.w.b.) & still have enough biggitry, 2 go there again (mcain).
ever wonder why most of the world doesn’t like arogant american’s ?
& why do some of u wear a canadian flags on u’re bags, when u travel. so proud & great 2 see u still don’t seethe evil america does in this world, where u blame other countries.
sorry but thanks 4 u’re time. if u ever get confused, listen 2 the music play (stop being biggits & see we r all from the same race)
[human} thanks

There’s a good chance I may drive 8 hours to see this show (Mickey & Billy back together — yee ha!), but I can’t help thinking ol’ Jerry might have voted for Ron Paul … if he voted at all.

FRIEND OF THE DEVIL TOUR. As a 20 year fan I am sickened by this. I shouldn’t have to make a political contribution to see these guys. If they want to contribute their own money fine, but don’t classify me or tell me who to vote for. Glad to see my favorite remaining member, Robert Hunter, is staying away from this divisive political junk.

WE all have our own musical preferences, some like pop, some where into the Beach Boys or the Doors or Rush or dare I say Queen (rip Freddy)…But, when it comes to politics, why can’t bands/Americans choose to side with a candidate?

Its a hell of a lot better than hearing Barracuda played behind the back drop of Palin/McCain, when the use of the song was not authorized and the song itself was an anti-establishment song.

Could this whole thing be about how many ex-Deadheads got rich and wealthy off wall st., drive BMWs and drink 3 starbucks a day (and turned republican), while many others only found modest lives and stayed true to the thought of a new utopia…I mean folks please don’t forget why the Dead were formed… So, its time to turn the tide and have the wrongs of the past 8 years and re unify this country torward that place we all think is what American can be…And Bob and Phil get it.

And, haters of the Dead, there are other music sites to lay your claim to…its too bad you missed the bus.

Last year at Red Rocks, Phil laid down an acoustic set that brought everyone to tears…literally…it was one of the most magical nights I’ve had with any music concert. So, if you like the music, don’t be fooled, if they are practicing (you talking about practice…gb AI), be sure this is going to be special.

For the sake of those who made it this far, make no mistake, VOTE OBAMA and democrats across the board, America depends on it.

Anne Coulter is supposedly a deadhead… GROSS! Hopefully Obama makes an appearance at the show… although maybe that is a political no-no in the American pop-trash culture tabloid election circus.

SZR from WISC, THANK YOU so much for considering the dead to be an experience that shouldnt endorse specific policies. Dave, you sound like someone who just wants to vote for the ‘cool’ candidate. There are many deadheads who do not support and are against barrack Obama. I think it is just absurd that the band sends the message that in order for you to enjoy getting together with deadheads and listen to great music, the PRICE you must pay is a donation to barrack obama’s campaign. the purpose of this concert considers deadheads to be associated with a political group, it sounds like a dead concert where not Everyone is welcome, just Obama fans. It’s not an all inclusive, all american theme that is being conveyed. Its not an attempt to unite ALL american deadheads, just barrack fans- sadly running the name GD to the ground

As Bob Weir said on the night Jerry died before his set with Ratdot, “if our dealy departed friend has taught us anything, it is that good music can make bad times better. We’ve got our work cut out for us tonight.” No words could be more emblamatic about the struggles our country and the entire world faces today. We’ve got our work cut out for us! JUST SO NO MORE TO FOUR MORE! It’s the conservative’s that got us into a disaster of a war, it’s the conservative that cut taxes while going to war, its the conservatives who have pushed for the deregulation of our financial system which has pushed our nation to the verge of bankrupsy. It’s time for us to WAKE UP AND FIND OUT THAT BARACK IS THE EYES OF THE WORLD! Thank you PHIL!!!!!!!!!!

hey- chasing ghosts… I know you’re really cool and heady b/c you’ve toured all over the country, but for those who have love for this music- it is very much still alive, and the Dead are doing a really good thing here… as for the idiots on the democratic line, well I’m not exactly sure who you’re talking about- this has been the most hopeful politician since, well, forever. If you appreciate the Dead, you should appreciate what they’re trying to do!

hey- chasing ghosts… I know you’re really cool and heady b/c you’ve toured all over the country, but for those who have love for this music- it is very much still alive, and the Dead are doing a really good thing here… as for the idiots on the democratic line, well I’m not exactly sure who you’re talking about- this has been the most hopeful politician since, well, forever. If you appreciate the Dead, you should appreciate what they’re trying to do!

Ever since the Garcia guitar fight, the GDP and the band has turned me off, man. I’ve toured on Further, The Dead, The Other Ones, Phil, Ratdog. It’s chasing a ghost, the magic is gone, the new material is stale. Possibly except for Hart’s work with teh Smithsonian. Same argument since 1990 for a lot of people anyhow.
I pray The Dead are happy with their massive accomplishments and contributions to musicality as well as their influence on todays’ music stars. Be happy with what you’ve done guys, trying to leave a legacy is good but not for the idiots who are running on the Democratic Line.

whereee do you get tickettts??

where do i get tickets

As far as these jerks who have nothing better to do then put down “The Grateful Dead”,probably never saw one show to begin with , go listen to your favorites like “Macho Man” I’m sure you ‘ll feel right at home..Rock on G.D. and Rock Penn State

These Idiots who are saying the Dead are the most overrated band of all times never knew who they were until “Touch of Grey” came out ,so did all the a holes also, who cares who’s playing it’s Gonna rock Philly to the core/……..Go Bobby and the Boys….

WE LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY AND THEY ARE EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I BET THE SHOW WILL ROCK. LDOG

why are they labeling them the grateful dead without jerry. dont they remember “The Dead”. I dont know how i feel about them endorsing a politician, but i would love to see the show. To the guy two posts down Their music was anything but boring and in the early 70’s their scene followed the ideas of peace and kindness way better than the so called “summer of love”. And lastly i would say they were never overexposed until after the realease of “touch of grey” and the crowds got bigger attracting an unwanted element of violence, etc.

it is not just about the music or the politics. it’about a vison of the world you want to live in and the one you want to leave to future generates. people grow up it’s not all about me, it’s about US, all of us,we are in this together like it or not.i pray that i have the strength to vote may hopes and not my fears.

I saw the Deadheads for Obama show and it rocked. I could care less about why the show is taking place. What matters (IMO) is the music. Work has me in Philly right now and I can’t wait to make the 3 hr drive to Happy Valley next month. Woo-hoo!

It’s sh.. like this that make people vote for Republicans.

I love the Dead, but they are probably the worst example of excess in many ways.

Obama needs to distance himself from all celebrities and “entertainers”.

I’m sure the Obama campaign loves the endoresent from a bunch of dudes that pickeled their heads in acid in the 60’s, blew out their nasel passages with coke in the 80’s, a lifesyle ultimately killed 4 former band members. Barak needs this like a whole in the head.

….the Grateful Dead get Burl Ives as a singer?

…they were NOT overexposed, but even though they were “underground” their constant jam noodling unfortunately is beyond boring. Yeah, its probably good to listen to whilst kicking around the hacky in front of the ol’ VW bus while smokin some Panama Red, but come on. Let’s get serious. The crowds they drew were aimless post-Summer of Love middle class kids who grew into disillusioned middle-aged wannabe revolutionaries whose idea of “change” is recycling into three separate containers and buying a Prius. Deadheads and Parrotheads are too close to each other in the rock gene pool.

i saw over 120 dead shows from 1982-1995; and i know & appreciate their music as well as anyone on this planet; but i would NEVER vote for Barack Obama, ever. Among many reasons (poor understanding of economic tax policy, much too committed to the trial lawyers, his association with Rev. Wright and the ignorant Hollywood loudmouth “blame America” crowd)….the bottom line is he’s MUCH too inexperienced in a dangerous world for me….and I have 8 years of collegiate and Graduate studies to back up my opinions…sorry, but not all Deadheads are willing to be put into a box, politically. I resent the fact that my musical heroes are breaking the sacred, longstanding understanding….the ONE thing Jerry endorsed….which is stay the hell away from policy statements, politics, protests, endorsements, etc….Phils son needs to find a “Day Job”!

What an awful pic of Bob…Good God, man! Trim your ’stache! I guess he’s trying to “be all Jerry” now to fill the void, but DAMN!!!!

The Dead were GREAT for a few years in the early 70’s as a studio band and then became a live performance band (without any post 1972 GREAT studio record to go along with the tours).

Don’t think any deadhead was gonna vote for McCain anyway, so this is a stunt, but what the hell. good for them getting back together for something they believe in.

…and there is a better candidate…vote Bob Barr in 2008

The Dead were anything but overrated, as evidenced by the crowds they drew, year after year.

Good for them for supporting the right candidate, too. Although it’s kind of a no-brainer in this case.

Hey MOB-ster;

any fool thinks GD was overrated can listen to Steppin’ Out with the Grateful Dead - England `72, for some deeply needed musical re-education. Over-exposed? Sure. Overrated? On their best nights they were as good as anybody. Anybody, including the Famous Flames, the JB’s, Allmans; talking about rhe Grateful Dead at their peak as a live act, close to being peerless.

selling your song(s) is a good thing. selling your song(s) to promote products, ? selling your song(s) to promote politicians, wow. WWJD?

….of all time.

How many more must die for GOP lies?

Well, cool! All the Grateful Baracks need is a female singer like Joan Osborne for sweet harmonies with the Bobby, and I just “Might As Well” vote for the Barry! Dark Star indeed!!!