deadheads

when i had only been in LA for a few months and had only a few friends, i went alone to Lighthouse Cafe in Hermosa Beach to see a Dead band called Cubensis. one older guy was overwhelmingly friendly, danced next to me respectfully the whole time. he was a jolly guy, full of dad jokes. his catch phrase was “i knew i liked you!” he took me around the jam music scene everywhere and introduced me to musicians in his network every chance he got. i played music with his brother-in-law in a blues band.

i just learned that he has suddenly passed on from a hereditary heart issue. i don’t have much to remember him by, other than the memories and music we shared, and a voicemail from March this year that i just discovered for the first time and never had a chance to return. i have a video of the boys playing Brokedown at Kia Forum, the second night of the final tour. as soon as we got through security we lost him for the rest of the show— he was bopping around making friends. i hope he is running around with Jerry up to no good now🌻

Dead & Company
2023-05-20
Inglewood, CA