How did they get such a grip, what launched them into the stratosphere?
I guess for me, it’s the vast range of styles, from Dark Star to Sugar Magnolia to New Speedway Boogie (one of the greatest rockin’ & rollin’ beats ever!) to Cumberland Blues and their great Blues songs like their rendition of Gus Cannon and Noah Lewis’ New Minglewood Blues...they are just an awesome, magnificent band.
Funny story...I was driving down I-5 near Ashland, Oregon and there was a big black Suburban with California plates ahead of us, driving 55, festooned with Dead stickers.
I was irritated they were driving so slowly so I got in the fast lane and drove past them, when I suddenly noticed who the driver was: Jerry Garcia! I smiled, waved, gave him a thumbs-up and mimicked playing a guitar, and mouthed “Jerry Garcia”! He nodded and smiled, I waved and drove on. So cool.
By the way, he was an awesome bluegrass player...his bluegrass band was as good as Alison Krauss or Ricky Skaggs.
See ya’,
Ed