Happy Birthday Jerry

Guitar and music legend Jerry Garcia was born this day in San Francisco, California. Although losing a fingertip in a wood chopping accident at the age of five Jerry would kindle his love of music by learning how to play the piano, guitar, and the banjo. During the early sixties Jerry would play in many musical configurations including the Asphalt Jungle Boys, Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers, Hart Valley Drifters, The Wildwood Boys, and then would help form the Warlocks in 1965. The Warlocks first paying gig was at Magoo’s Pizza Parlor and they later went on to become the house band for Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests. Later that year the Grateful Dead were formed in San Francisco.

Jerry Garcia would influence many over the years and share the stage, studio, and front porch with greats including Merl Saunders, David Grisman and Bob Dylan. I could probably sit behind this desk today and write about him until lunch, take a break, and return until bedtime. I want to remember Jerry today like most of us want to be remembered and spoke about while we are not in the room. I want to remember him not because of his shortcomings or his troubles. I want to remember him alive on stage playing his guitar with thousands of people smiling back up at him in the crowd.


S. Remington - Editor
PhreshWater.com
Questions or Comments: editor@phreshwater.com