New book

[rv_bass]

The book listings suggest that the stories are to some degree enhanced with fiction to round them out.  Are you finding this?

I bought the book and have started reading it. I like it so far.  David, to answer your question, I think the intent is in the spirit of Kesey and Hunter Thompson, but not to that degree, which keeps it more real I think.

[David Houck]

Thanks; when I can get to it, I'm going to read some of the sample on amazon.

[cozmik_cowboy]

About 1/3 of the way, and I am struck by how hierarchical the Pranksters were.  Their scene was absolutely directed chaos - and the direction flowed top down.
Kesey's Prankster name was Chief - and he was.  It seems that this was somewhat because he was charismatic, a natural leader; part of it was also because they were good Americans, and it was His Money.
Kesey was without question the Bullgoose Looney on the Prankster bus; Babbs was a clear #2, and Cassady was a very close 3rd.
Then there was everybody else.
Not meaning this as a put-down, but I had expected it to be a tad more egalitarian.


Peter

[cozmik_cowboy]

The book listings suggest that the stories are to some degree enhanced with fiction to round them out.  Are you finding this?

OK, found one.  On page 348, one of the busses in their caravan to Woodstock, late July '69, breaks down; much frustration ensues until Babbs cools everyone out by sticking in a tape of "Shakedown Street" - first performance 8/31/78.

Peter

[David Houck]

               

[cozmik_cowboy]

Oh, boy!
One of my Winter Solstice gifts from Senior Management was Amelia Davis & David Gans's brand new coffee table book The Grateful Dead By Jim Marshall: Photos And Stories From The Formative Years, 1966-1977!
Gans we all know; Ms Davis was Jim's assistant the last 18 (IIRC) years of his life - and thus has control of his archive.  Many amazing pix - a goodly number never before seen, and more never before seen by me, with blurbs & short essays from many of our favorite characters.
Among the highlights for me:
A number of shots of people with instruments I've never even heard they'd played (Garcia on a block-inlay 335, and a sunburst Strat with a rosewood 'board & a flag decal south of the wiggle stick, Weir on a '68-'71 Les Paul Custom) and more shots of things they played briefly (a bunch of Jer with his late '52 or early '53 Goldtop, converted to a Tune-O-Matic bridge off a Gibson acoustic & a 330/335-style diamond trapeze tailpiece; I take especial note of it as I think a friend may have owned it in the late '70s).
Then there things like:
Yes, we get the famous color shot of the 5 core SF bands (Dead, Airplane, Quicksilver, Big brother, and Charlatans) together in the Panhandle - plus B&W shots of everyone walking to the shoot, and a great one of the managers; the Charlatans apparently didn't have a manager, but the other 4 had 6 betwixt them (JA & GD 2 each), and they're all in a line - with each guy reaching into the next guy's pocket.  Perfect managers shot!
And then there are the actual music shots, including a number of one-offs, including proof of the long-rumored Garcia/Traffic street jam in support of striking KMPX-FM employees (and proof Jer enjoyed hisself greatly doing so), and what was apparently a one-night band dubbed "Grateful Butterplane".  Alas, we don't get a rundown of the whole night, but we do get a fine shot of Jack, Jerry, Elvin, Spenser, and Jorma in full swing.
Opened it about 11 hours ago, and (with time out to make & eat dinner, calm Her down because I was spending too much time enjoying Her gift, etc.) I have 8 pages of 288 left to go - and that's just an afterword by John Mayer.
The book is highly recommended.


Peter

[David Houck]

Congrats!  Sounds like a great picture book!