Hello friends. I burst into tears when I learned of Phil's passing.
What a talent and I'm truly grateful for what his musical genius brought to my life. May he rest in peace.
Although I never had the opportunity to meet Mr Lesh, I did get Mr Garcia, Mr and Mrs Godchaux, and Maria Muldaur quite stoned on some absolutely superb Maui Wowie backstage at the Keystone Berkeley back in the Fall of 1979.
Who could believe that members of the Jerry Garcia Band could be backstage "partying," while lacking any herb?
They had plenty of other things (it was a blizzard that only got more insane when the Hells Angeles showed up with a major re-supply), but no herb. I swear! And I know how unbelievable that sounds.
I walked backstage just as Donna Jean and Maria M were freaking out about not having any herb to balance the overstimulation they were experiencing. I'm telling you, it was the best "timing" ever.
I was holding some absolutely superb Hawaiian and offered it up immediately (becoming a hero in the moment), and was then invited to sit with Jerry and company while the scene got weirder and weirder and weirder. Holy crap.
Life is fleeting. Have fun while you can.
Bill