I love that the Red Sox do things like “Jerry Garcia Day”.
You don’t have to be a Deadhead to enjoy the fusion of a musical icon with an evening of baseball on a warm summer night.
And Grateful Dead did once sing the national anthem at a San Francisco Giants game back in ’93. Not because they liked baseball, but because they loved San Francisco. (Side note: who knew Tony Bennet‘s kid is a Deadhead!).
Jerry Garcia is one of those artists that you remember exactly where you were when you heard the news of their passing.
It was August of 1995. My younger brother had passed away that March and I was in deep grief. A very generous friend invited me out to her place in Los Angeles. She was working at a really cool radio station, KSCA. She’d left for work so I was in her apartment by myself. There was a radio on and I was just kind of hanging out that morning. I heard the person on the air announce Jerry Garcia‘s death.
I’ve never gone to a Dead show but I like a lot of their music. Everything I’ve ever read or heard about Jerry Garcia is filled with positivity; just a really sweet guy, kind, down to earth, witty. His guitar playing is legendary for his unique tone and technique. It was both sad and surprising to hear of his passing.
So, a tip of the old baseball cap to you, Jerry.
Tonight at Fenway Park you’ll be remembered for your musical contributions and for just making this planet a better place because of your being here.
I wonder if Jerry would have enjoyed communicating with fans through Twitter. Here’s how some Twitter users are remembering Jerry today:
Remembering Jerry Garcia today on the anniversary of his passing. NFA.#JerryGarcia #GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/W1K1g9tjOt
— CosmicCharlie (@wanderwithodin) August 9, 2022
Remembering Jerry Garcia, who died #OnThisDay in 1995.
— Lonesome Suzie (@NathalieO5) August 9, 2022
"If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?"
📷Jim Marshall #GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/Q5GP6jIdai
Remembering Jerry Garcia. Passed away this day in 1995. American musician, best known for being a principal songwriter, the lead guitarist and a vocalist with the Grateful Dead, who came to prominence during the counterculture of the 60’s #JerryGarcia 🥀 pic.twitter.com/PexCpuRQ0X
— Kenny (@kennylanglea) August 9, 2022
Remembering Jerry Garcia , who died today 9th August 1995 @GratefulDead #photooftheday #RockArt
— Wayne (@nottco) August 9, 2022
📸 David Corio pic.twitter.com/0WZrkrl800
