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For those not in the know. Many heads had an allegiance to which side of the stage they chose to stand in front of. Some were all about being on Jerry’s side. Others, Phil’s side. Beyond being able to watch the guys really play, the sound was a little different. Especially if you were close enough to hear the stage monitors.
When seeing the GD live I tended to be a Jerry side guy. Though if they played stadiums or amphitheaters that allowed for seats behind the stage I’d tend to chose Phil’s side. I danced my arse off on Phil’s side on more than one night, as often those seats were less populated and/or you could dance in the isle.
Thank you Phil for those nights.
As far as bass players go… dude was a master. Not flashy or fast, but he wrote melodic paragraphs in songs where others only play words and sentences. A fretboard walker of immense skill. While vocally he was the Dead’s weakest link he wrote one of the Grateful Dead’s more touching songs, Box of Rain. A song about a man losing his father.
Rest in peace Phil. Thank you for so many magical nights. Thank you for sharing your gift with us all.
“Such a long, long time to be gone
And a short time to be there”
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