Deadheads Rally for Obama

Posted about 4 years ago

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Grateful Dead

Saying Barack Obama embodies political hope absent since Robert Kennedy was slain 40 years ago, three surviving members of the Grateful Dead rock band reunited on Monday for the first time in four years to back the presidential candidate, reports Yahoo.Every few generations a guy like this comes along," drummer Mickey Hart told a news conference a day before California's primary, in which Obama, a senator from Illinois, faces New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. "It seems like desperate times and we're desperate people.""The last time hope was in the air, it was ended by a bullet," Weir said, referring to Kennedy, who was assassinated on the night he won the California Democratic primary in 1968. "We've been reluctant to do political events all along."Bassist Phil Lesh, 67, said he met Obama, who told him he has some Grateful Dead songs on his iPod music player, last year.The concert started with a short video from Obama, filmed on an airplane, thanking the band. A thick cloud of marijuana smoke wafted through the air then and throughout the concert, and some fans engaged in free-style dance as though magically transported from 1968.Obama's dapper, clean-cut image contrasted with the tied-dyed shirts and long, shaggy hair of fans who lined up for hours to attend the "Deadheads for Obama '08" event."Long live the Dead!" said Ron Svetlik, 51, who said he had attended more than 200 Grateful Dead concerts, starting in 1974.The home builder said he had already voted by mail for the Green Party candidate, but added: "If I had to cast a write-in ballot, I'd put Jerry Garcia."

"More Here":CH[CH]http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080205/music_nm/usa_politics_gratefuldead_dc

Comments (8)

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Wanbli says Being a longtime fan of the band and privvy to some of the interpersonal dealings- I must say that bringing these 3 together was a big deal. There was great momentum and energy at the show. I happen to sit near one of the Obama precinct captains for SF and this was his first Dead show- he was grooving and couldn't believe the positive energy for change.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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steve simon says my report http://mog.com/steve_simon/blog_post/142309

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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Michael Goldberg says Great posts Adam, Wanbil and Steve. Love all the details in your post Steve.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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Michael Goldberg says Oops, my typo. I meant Wanbli.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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caliscrnwrtr says vote hillary! ;)

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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Sturgell says Listening to Obama talk it's easy for me to see why artist, musicians, and such are drawn to him. the man as an approachable intellectual, a street corner philosopher.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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Mike the Knife says In the matter of Clinton vs Obama, I feel it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. Either is a major improvement over the sickening status quo - or any old white guy the Repugs nominate. Idealism (Obama) or pragmatism (Clinton) - or maybe a ticket that boasts both. Not bad.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008
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dharmachris says In this week's issue of Newsweek, columnist Jonathan Alter proclaims that Obama could signal the generational change in politics from the (stereotypical) Baby Boomers (ya know, deadheads, hendrix and dope) to the 40-somethings. Check it "here":http://www.newsweek.com/id/107583 I say, it's about time. Even though I love the Dead. "The Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan had a similar theme recently":http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200712/obama, and concisely outlined why Obama is the last best chance to move past the culture wars of the 60s that still beat in Hillary's and Bush's hearts.

Permalink posted 02/05/2008