Phil Lesh and Jay Blakesberg: Intervention of Jerry Garcia - March 25, 2016 Terrapin Crossroads

Jay and Phil chatted prior to the recreation of the great re-creation of the 6/30/85 Merriweather Post show on March 25, 2016 in the Grate Room at Terrapin Crossroads.
Unfortunately I had some issues with my cam as this chat transpired and didn't manage to cap the entire chat but this is the meat of the tale....
Vid Cap by Ted Silverman
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[@briankelly8852]

Okay, I was at all those spring Greek shows 82-85, waited in line all day for good seats every day. The sugar mag thing at the 20 year anniversary shows with the scaffold didn't happen. Weir was definitely doing the rock star thing, running about that night, but just on the stage (embarrassing for those of us who were old enough). The Meyer sound lab system was in place so he didn't even have a speaker cab to jump on. There was no scaffolding on the stage, it all hung from above. However..... later on Dec 30 at the Oakland coliseum, they had erected an elevated ramp, a la the stones, Springsteen, U2 etc, that extended out from the middle of the stage maybe 20-30 feet. Very strange to see since we had not seen that before for the new year's runs, and thought it was maybe a set up for the new years celebration the next night for Bill Graham's midnight entrance and the Neville Brothers... who, by the way stole the show. Anyway, what Phil described the DID happen on Dec 30, 1985 (I was there that night and the next with a great view of the stage). They had apparently already decided that there would be no "as expected" Sugar Mag NYE balloons midnight celebration moment, so they played it the night before instead. Check the set lists. During the Sugar Mag jam, Weir was all the way out at the end of the ramp doing the idiot rock star thing, whammy bar, lunges, etc , totally oblivious to the band who were way behind him just pounding out the B-E-B-B-F#-E, that we all loved to death, just watching Bobby enjoy himself. Then... they just abruptly ended the jam, boom. I'm guessing because the Weir display had been going on for way too long, he was enjoying the spotlight too much, and just wanted to burn him?...and just left him stranded out on the ramp alone. Hung him out to dry. It was priceless. He just trotted back to the stage like nothing was amiss. I watched it play our in front of me with great amusement, laughed our asses off from the risers off to the left of the stage with my bro Chuck. Maybe they did this elsewhere during that period, but my memory of these years is crystal clear. I doubt Weir allowed himself to be toasted like that more than once. Blah blah, JMHO. It was great fun. Happy holiday's everyone.

[@ExtremelyOCD]

I'd bet money, that if Jerry were alive today, and clean, he'd be talking about this with as much humor if not more. So for anyone critical of how Phil is talking about this, you're not him, you're not Jerry, I think Phil has earned his way to tell these stories the way he seems fit.

[@jazzmanchgo]

He's a great storyteller. Remember, Lesh has always had a kind of acerbic edge to him; it comes through in his onstage persona, as well. It's who he is, and it was always an essential element of the chemistry of the band.

[@BSIGio]

i didnt realize everyone in this comment section knew jerry garcia so personally

[@TedToob]

I am the guy that capped and posted this vid - and I simply sit back and let the "pundits," express their opinions. Have to say it's been a very interesting experience over the past 15 months to receive email alerts expressing ire, frustration, anger, understanding, empathy, and other perspectives.... Prefer to be the fly on the wall in this one. Regardless - Phil still blows minds (I see him frequently at TXR.)

[@BSIGio]

Ted Silverman lol yeah seems to be a real roller coaster ride here. thats great that you get to see you him frequently, hes always been the most interesting to me out of the bunch.

[@stolenflowers4775]

Gio I was thinking the same thing man

[@oswaldkirk]

Gio ,yo

[@incidentalist]

I mean, they've all gone to 500 Dead shows as well, DUH!!

[@maryvlockman]

Laughter is how Phil is able to reconcile his broken heart. The regrets, coulda shoulda woulda the boys in the band have to carry this guilt. The pain of so many band members leaving the planet. Geezus give our loving brothers a break. If you can not say something nice about Phil, just go away. He is the most amazing bassist. That melodic lead bass, let him laugh if he can and judge not. He showed and taught Jerry a lot of stuff. Jerry and Phil were true brothers.

[@johnhausmann2391]

Have to disagree, he's so caught up in himself and getting a reaction from the crowd. Really disappointed with him.

[@BSIGio]

Fatz Treeboy lol phil didnt post this, and jerry was the one who made phil learn bass. maybe if you get off facebook from time to time youll be able to process emotions properly

[@chrisgrabowski2678]

Any Dead Head that has read and listened to interviews with the band mates, crew and musicians other than Phil would understand that Phil is not who you make him out to be. As for something nice, even though Phil is not in Dead & Company, I truly believe that D&C would not have happened if Phil hadn't helped instigate other incarnations of Post-JG Dead. Thank you Phil; sincerely. Now, please understand, Phil is not a melodic bassist. There are audio interviews over the years,{ including one recently with Weir} where Garcia and Weir both questioned Phil's playing and wondered what the band would sound like with a more "in the pocket", standardized bassist doing the traditional role of a bassist. Also, keep in mind, why keep Phil? Because the Dead operated like molasses when it came to decisions and carrying them out. They fired Pigpen and Weir but those 2 kept showing up. It took years for the band to listen to the tapes that confirmed that Healy was messing with Weir's sound on stage and then dismiss him. It was also strongly rumored that Phil was the one vote in the band that said "no" to Bob Dylan joining the Dead when he requested becoming a member. Of course, there are other documented instances of other poor ways that Phil treated the crew and side musicians post GD. As a musician, I like Phil. I do not find him to be a great musician. I am certainly grateful for what he added to songs such as The Other One, Help on the Way and The Music Never Stopped to name a few. Oh, and Phil cannot sing. Phil knows this. Phil has admitted this. Going back to at least 1977, Phil had admitted he had blown his voice out, but was too nervous about undergoing surgery to repair it. Phil also acknowledged that Bob Weir had recommended a surgeon to him. Bob has also said in interviews that Phil blew out his voice due to improper technique. Why such negativity and so little positive stuff about Phil from me? Because I think it's important to recognize that he is not a god. He certainly is worshiped by some as if he is infallible. That's a shame. We are all humans. As for Phil's continual jabs at Bobby, I don't understand it. And for the guilt of Garcia's death, that is on us, the band, Jerry and the addiction. Plenty of guilt to go around. Peace.

[@hermetictherion7119]

Lost Smoke well said

[@freedomworks3976]

Well said 👏 👌 👍

[@jeffriebaer5853]

I really enjoy Phil. Had the pleasure of meeting him once. Met all of the boys actually. Jerry loved Phil and said that he is the "nicest one in the band". I don't know why people continue to bash him. I would give anything to relive those days again.

[@MrStuVW]

Amen Jeffrie, me Too!

[@mikejosephson2594]

Jill. Enough said

[@johnburke1251]

Just no words to describe the years I spent traveling up and down the east coast with my best buddies to see "the boys".Pure fun, pre responsability! No regrets.

[@joelhenderson9393]

💯

[@briankelly8852]

Fair enough on memories and how we want to tell our stories, it’s what makes it fun. Regardless of when or where it happened, it was perfect how they allowed Bob to be a rock star then drag him back to reality. No hard feelings and no malice intended then or now. May the world be a better place moving forward.

[@razorfistforce1]

The story bout short shorts-era Bobby and "Sunshine Daydream" is classic....Fuckin' gotta love Phil.

[@freedomcapitalpartnersllp7458]

Phil is a great guy

[@MrStuVW]

YES!

[@haggarformayor3207]

one of me favorite bass players of all time

[@michaelhoward7009]

NOtice-everyone laughs at the confrontation-but Phil. Whoever laughed-reminds me of the groups feeling that their following was becoming more and more-well hard to describe.

[@MrStuVW]

People laugh at others' pain and misery, and demean others because they themselves feel unprocessed pain and are unhappy. If you understand your own pain, it's impossible to laugh at other peoples' misery or harm others... maybe! Michael, Loving Peace for You and Yours Beautiful.

[@derrikferguson3219]

Cool stories.

[@RUNNOFT71]

"hey, havin a good time?" 🤣 😂 😂

[@joeshoe6184]

It's the art thats important, not the artist. Fact is, we never would've even heard of these other guys if it wasnt for Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.

[@the-LeoKnightus]

Phil is a musical mastermind. His contribution to the music is often under-appreciated. Also he was dosed for almost every show. Its sad how it went down with Jerry...but I dont think Jerry saw the way others saw him struggle. And it was ultimately rehab that killed Jerry.

[@BeansMaskSheen]

wtf? where's the bass solo! Gets cut as phil is dialing in the Big Brown. very cool but i want to hear that solo!

[@SpainSpain-kr8lh]

Phil can't look back with a sense of humor? Unbelievable number of haters here.

[@finnmcginn9931]

Tell us about the Heineken years Phil.

[@ScarlettFire341]

ONE impression I have of the GD is that THE SHOW was ALL IMPORTANT. The rule was show up and play, no excuses even if your strung out / sick - from day one to the final show ... that tells a lot ... early on they worked hard at not being everyday working stiffs 40 hours a week which meant the GD MACHINE was to NOT STOP - until sadly Jerr dropped

[@bcdigiart141]

I LIKE TO HEAR PHIL talk about this... CUZ.. I was gathering the impression that PHIL was very ANGRY AT JERRY... and.... here. he sounds at EASE w the loss of JERRY..... U KNOW. HE WAS HAPPY. even if he was a DRUGGIE.. i think it is SAD. that HEROIN is such a TOUGH DRUG... to shake..... physically addicting and it NOT HIS FAULT THAT HE GOT HOOKED ....

[@hubertsumlin9697]

Please don't make me go to jail twice in one day

[@patrickdunham1878]

Damn he fucking slams Billy in this, wtf Phil??

[@MrStuVW]

maybe That's why they don't play together anymore

[@infiniteXpower]

LOL they all hate each other. Read Fare Thee Well by Joel Selvin. They're all scumbags.@@MrStuVW

[@drmarshall19]

Weir and his Daisy Duke shorts. The forgotten years.

[@MrStuVW]

Lol we will never forget those years, Loving every one of them.

[@classygary]

D Marshall hahahaha ... in his “Daisy Duke Shorts” ... funniest line I’ve heard in a long long time ... esp. online ... cheers M8 😂😂😂 !!!

[@FoFrx]

Thank you for this: IMO the "Weir shorts"..not unlike the "Donna period" was a device to keep the Grateful Dead in obscurity, thereby making them the "black licorice" of popular music. An intentional scheme of sorts to keep themselves humble and not too big...a futile attempt although a great filter for the squares.

[@KeizerHedorah]

It is weird guys wore such short shorts in the 80s, i wonder what that was all about

[@marcosluna7792]

Never trust a prankster!

[@Estimated]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnaQfq16fax0gpI

[@trenttalley924]

best comment in here

[@allanfifield8256]

John Kahn was no one's friend. Jerry paid for his needle.

[@johnkiefer3768]

he was my friend....

[@hubertsumlin9697]

For what it's worth, Jerry wasn't a needle guy. He smoked Persian heroin. I know it's kind of weird but it's the truth. No judgements. It's cripplingly addictive either way.

[@jerryakbar6147]

Jay blakesberg, denial…that guy is as cringe as they come. Jeeez

[@patrickbarry7711]

You guys have to lay off Phil. It’s his way of coping. Jerry was a junkie and junkies are selfish assholes. Don’t forget that. I was strung out for ten years and that whole time I didn’t give a shit about anyone but myself. I’m sure Phil, Bobby, Bill, Parish and everyone else did everything they could for him. Unfortunately nobody could save him but himself.

[@robertwomack1411]

It sounds like a laugh track not real

[@veek.6463]

Phil. Do you have a filter at all? Do you ever stop and think you got lucky as can be? You played along man. Don't forget that. We pitch, you swing

[@josevillarreal6294]

Vee K. How true! $ goes to people's head's and distorts their perception. They forget so easily who's pitchin and who swings. Thanks.

[@MrStuVW]

Phil is as much the star as Jerry.

[@riverjstarkey7244]

F R I ed

[@JohnDoe-ub8fq]

People seem to forget, Jerry was a drug addict and an ass, while on drugs. Bob, could barely play 'rhythm' guitar. And the band were not friends, but business partners. The people closest to them took advantage of them and the overhead was monstrous because of their 'friends'. These pressures pushed Jerry deeper and deeper into drugs and killed him. But somehow, they played music that lives on forever.

[@MrStuVW]

john doe does Not exist, move along folks nothing to see.

[@sinane.y]

you're referring to the late stages of the band. during the early years they were closer than brothers. Jerry was the most lovable guy in the world. and in the 70s Bob was one of the most if not the most creative rhythm players ever.

[@deadlotCamper]

the band has admitted as much...they pushed to tour more as they were as hot as ever, raking in huge sums and spending almost as much. the overhead was massive. jerry wanted a break but they all pushed for more, .

[@somanyroads1966]

Phils not so GRATEFUL being he is on liver #3...Lush is more?

[@pardyhardly]

Why is everybody laughing at this ? These stories are horrible.

[@MrStuVW]

People laugh at others' pain and misery, and demean others because they themselves feel unprocessed pain and are unhappy. If you understand your own pain, it's impossible to laugh at other peoples' misery or harm others... maybe!

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

There’s really nothing funny about what he says about Garcia and the attempted intervention. Why is the audience laughing?

[@shahinkianpour]

Some laugh because of nervous tension, some laugh because of identification with the issue, and some laugh, because the other people are laughing. We are humans, give us all a break, starting with yourself.

[@robertwomack1411]

It’s sounds like a laugh track

[@fasteagle9959]

What's so fuckin funny here?

[@johnhausmann2391]

This is really messed up. Talk about needing adulation, Lesh is so completely caught up in it he'll say anything to please the stupid laughers and cheerers in the audience (though I'm sure some out there were wondering why he was being such a douchebag).

[@WilliamsBallMusic]

I feel weird watching something like this. Kind of crappy talk about

[@ryanw6626]

What a joke

[@brandenmiquelas3319]

phil's a douche canoe

[@NACIJUK]

What the fuck is so funny about this? Being told by Lush? Its only comedy when the ending is happy. This is difference between comedy and tragedy.

[@done1675]

My thoughts exactly. It's hard for me to chuckle at stories of Garcia's addiction.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

Mr. Lush? never heard this but I so agree. Phil the Pill..... preaching to the choir at terrapin ego boost station

[@MrStuVW]

Jerry was eating bad food and we wanted him to care but as you can see he didn't, we lost, but his Loved ones lost the most, if hate is all you can come up with, learn something new for you and YOUR loved ones.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

wanker..... just what addicts need, all their friends looking down on them and complaining.... Phil Lesh was a pill....... he fucking hated jerry's real friends, especially John kahn. this is self serving attempt at re-writing history. all in all , to me, it sounds like Phils jealousy....... jerry was a natural cool cat, Phil less just got lucky............... and I am sick of his self agrandizing stories.... who cares, u wanker.... this is preaching to the choir

[@allanfifield8256]

John Kahn was no ones friend but Mr. Nod and Noodle.

[@veek.6463]

Doing what he does best in the last 35 years Phil- talking shit. Fucked up

[@hubertsumlin9697]

strange video. not what phil does best.

[@veek.6463]

It's true. He was just here in my town and played two nights of great shows. I didn't go but my friends and my adult son went and they loved it. Phil looks younger now then he did 15 years ago. I love Phil I just really- wow. I don't think A) the boys understand the overall mission and the identity of the Grateful Dead as much as I'd like them to and B) really am still super pissed at all of them for not letting Garcia go. He could be in France or Soain right now painting though am sure he'd be playing guitar. He wouldn't stop without a clear decision made for him. Someone made it at the very end but am sure that is private. These guys should have had a heart and not been so caught up in the times to believe this was all actually play through-able. They should have been good brothers to him. Makes me very upset to this day. Anyway, may all beings be liberated through the blessing that is the Grateful Dead: pure peace and love. Peace and love.

[@glyn420]

Dont blame them Jerry was a grown ass man. he left many relationships over the years. he loved the money as well don't be fooled. he killed himself it wasn't the bands fault

[@veek.6463]

Glyn you are a fool on a fools errand. Jerry loved his muse and did what she asked and benefitted all beings to bring peace and love and freedom to this world. You are a worldly sack of shit.

[@veek.6463]

You glyn you know they left in an airport after the last Chicago show with his heart beating out of his chest visibly. Saying later to me, Mickey told me "I knew I'd never see him again". So fuck you Glyn. You sent me that response on his birthday. I ain't letting him come back because you ain't worth it.

[@swampmusic9222]

Take Jerry out of Phils life and he's a shoe salesman...

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

well said....... I hate the way he downs other people. especially jerry's friends....

[@MrStuVW]

drain the swamp drop your hate

[@xneapolisx]

Phuck you Phil! You ungrateful, jealous dick. Who's the one who ended up needing a liver transplant, resulting from abuse of alcohol? Nothing funny about this. Phil loves to talk shit about Jerry, disguising the abuse as "caring." My ass! He only cares about himself. RIP Jerry...the TRUE genius behind the Grateful Dead!

[@mikejosephson2594]

Jerry was very special. Great musician and the soul of the Dead. Was the reason so many loved the Dead back then. Phil became a real tool after Jerry died.

[@randyhospodar8864]

Lesh is a tool sorry. He's spent the second half of his life cashing in on Garcia, yet trashing him publicly. I obviously don't know him, but looking at it from the outside , he comes across as a shitty friend.

[@atomusbliss]

Mr. Lush is so self-righteous Totally unattractive Rather listen to Bob speak....nuanced, considerate and loving.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

mr lush :).

[@MrStuVW]

if ya got nothing nice to say don't say a thing, i am sure your parents taught this to you, if not, bummer for you.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

then why is phil the pill trashing jerry's history? lesh deserves all the grief people give him.... the terripin family band is kinda weak, also.... who cares about this dude, everytime i see him on utube he is getting grief....

[@claymationwaves]

taking drugs and playing music is funny when you wear cutoff jeans and pajamas take it easy lol rocknroll died in 95

[@MrStuVW]

naw, we still have lots of rock and roll with the California family... Dave Nelson Band, you should see them