PROFESSOR PETER TALKS GRATEFUL DEAD

March 13, 2015

By Scary Barry Rodriguez          

Yesterday the Scary one had the opportunity to be culturally enlightened by attending a talk and book signing at the South San Francisco library . The subject of this event was the book " NO SIMPLE HIGHWAY " " A CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD " By Peter Richardson.

Wat Happened?

A very large space between sections of books was made available , complete with seating and some amenities. Peter Richardson , who teaches Humanities and American studies at San Francisco State University held sway at the podium in front of the room. The assembled audience consisted of mainly students under the age of thirty.




Professor Peter proceeded to explain why he felt compelled to write a book , adding to the countless number of books already devoted to the social phenomenon known as the Grateful Dead. Then he went on to intellectualize about the cultural significance of the band. He made reference to many iconic figures from the San Francisco scene during the sixties, seventies and beyond. The young folks in the audience were mostly in the dark about Ken Kesey , Jack Kerouac, Harry Smith and others that were an essential part of the counter cultural landscape that the Grateful Dead inhabited.

Harry Smith

Ken Kesey

Jack Kerouac

It was funny to hear the stoner scene that went down in the Height and Ashbury days and thereafter mentioned in relation to Aldous Huxley , Dionysus and Utopian ideals. Professor Peter's young audience were all ears at the mention of LSD ,Marijuana and altered states of consciousness. Drugs were the engine that drove the psychedelic bus onward !

Jefferson Airplane

I was a teenager at the time when the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane reigned over the San Francisco bay area music scene. Everyone was just getting stoned and partying. The discussion of the book brought back in focus my memories of that time in my life. Sprinkled about in the crowd were a few oldies like myself. I wondered what they thought about the tales Professor Peter was spinning.

Which Way?

THE Guru - Jerry Garcia

He spoke about Jerry Garcia being heavily influenced by art and the backgrounds of the band members. I remember Jerry Garcia as being viewed as some kind of hippie spokesperson. The point was made that the Dead and their fans collectively constituted a community of sorts. I agree it went past the point of them just being a band. Some of my friends were and remain devoted to their music and what the Dead represent.

The time went by quickly and then talk was over. There was a brief question and answer session. I suspect the young folks will need time to ponder the Grateful Dead , the hippie scene , that whole period of time which has led us to where we are now !  From the Vietnam war to Afghanistan , that's what progress is ! Makes you want to go hippie again ! Being a professor, Peter's approach is scientific. What I remember about those yesterdays was wild and wooly , yet very fun until reality intruded ! I encourage everyone to read Peter Richardson's book it can at the very least educate the youngsters and entertain the oldies !

The man running the event for the library , Adam , is to be commended.

barryrodriguez (c) 2015. all rights reserved.

layout by magic merlin paul malolot.