Phil Lesh on LSD and social change + the Grateful Dead - Craig Ferguson 5/6/05

[@theyoungamptech320]

“Is she ok?” 🤣

[@RogerRozellCharbonneau]

I could have lived without the first minute of this video 😵‍💫

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Not if you wanted to see the rest....

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

@@ClevelandLiveMusic It's called "skipping ahead."

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

@@user-mp3fv7uu1l why I put a graphic at the front of many uploads "skip to...."

[@devildoll9929]

I could have lived without the first 30 years of the Grateful Dead.

[@brooke8567]

Agreed.if you clicked here you probably don't need a boring preamble

[@dpall38]

Craig was in no way expecting Phil to be so intelligent. He was expecting to make fun of a stoner hippie. He got an articulate artist and looked like an ass.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Craig was usually better

[@dpall38]

@@ClevelandLiveMusic Much better. He just misjudged.

[@andrewptob]

I think Craig just wanted to joke around and Phil was actually trying to have a conversation.

[@Raughwe]

Not an ass! A scotsman making a friend!

[@rickdudeprovo]

Totally!! This is why Phil doesn’t come out and interview, thumbs down on Craig Ferguson not ahead at all. Hope to not watch anymore Craig interviews

[@devildoll9929]

Everyone should try LSD at least once in their lives.

[@direwolf6234]

when they have some maturity and real life experience to reflect on ...

[@muddywaters4771]

Sit down and meditate during the come up (200ug or 150ug is all you really need) listening to Bach or Mozart, and do it in nature during daytime. Did this on my first time and i saw it, we're One being with many forms. Twas beautiful. Changed my life. Lsd is not a party drug

[@devildoll9929]

​@@muddywaters4771 Sure it's a party drug. So is X, Tina, Molly and Ketamine.

[@muddywaters4771]

@@devildoll9929 ive had x and molly, i feel they just get you excited and really talkative to be around others, like a really long cocaine high. Lsd also has that energetic feeling but more introspective

[@devildoll9929]

@@muddywaters4771 Well, you're never going to be able to predict how these illicit drugs will make you feel because they're often cut with something, usually speed, even strychnine. Here in Colorado, which voted to make possession of hallucinogens legal last midterm elections, that problem may go away a tiny bit. The next step is for the state to allow legal sales of hallucinogens, probably in the marijuana dispensaries that have so proliferated in the last decade. Little by little, Colorado is becoming more like Amsterdam, except for the legal brothels.

[@mcmurph101]

Phil’s wicked smaht

[@2get2Terrapin]

I love hearing Phil's voice read Searching For The Sound. Wonderful writing talent, as well.

[@heyitsmespider6792]

I have the book going to read it this week on holiday✌️

[@bluedovepdx]

'Pride of Cucamonga' has always been one of my favorites.

[@mayfieldgage]

This might be strange…But I love getting stoned (on weed) and listening to the Dead while mowing the lawn

[@jasonpressley5646]

Yep

[@zeeman3684]

Not strange at all I did it for years

[@MeShaneT]

Bro I do the exact same thing 😂

[@Tunafish69]

One of the greatest bass players, always seemed to be "on" with band. He was reason the band was successful,but did it without fanfare or ego. Love Phil

[@dionysossmith2232]

Craig Ferguson was in over his head, with Phil, and it appears that he knew it.

[@benwitte8832]

Phil wasn't given much time here. Such a short interview.

[@vonBottorff]

Impedance mismatch.

[@johnorgan3]

As a deadhead for over 55 years, personally I've always thought their most provocative song was Unbroken Chain, by Phil

[@cactaceous]

This interview shows why I was never a fan of Ferguson. He tries so hard to be funny yet he is not. His interjections and questions are just juvenile and annoying.

[@glueforall]

No respect for a true legend such as Phil, to boot. Craigs stupid mugs and running the damn "I'm Scottish, dammit, i do SCOTTISH THINGS!" mentality is so grating.

[@JamesDeWeaver]

Would've liked to have heard Phil talk about Owsley "Bear" Stanley's role he provided for the band.

[@glueforall]

Not with the geek Ferguson interviewing. Any closer and he would be on Phil's lap. I think he just did that so that HE would always be in the frame.

[@brianjansen3103]

I've heard from people that knew him that in addition to making great acid he was a giant asshole

[@barrycalvillo2466]

Craig ferguson sounded like he was trying let Phil know Im right on you after every question it seemed like craig was eyeballing him, watching with an eagles eye on every answer like he was critiquing him and if he gave a just off answer it was very cold and intimidating, even toward the end he never really gave him any warmth or kindness or real friendliness at the very end when he just shook his hand and looked the other way.

[@charlespancamo9771]

he's clearly a sad man that knows phil has something he'll never have. Inner love. These people are low vibration and feed off negative energy they create in others. Small pathetic man with a pathetic little ego. Phil gave him NOTHING to work with. Lovely guy.

[@pizzadog4206]

I thought he looked drunk

[@freedomworks3976]

Phil is 80 years old !!!! love Phil. Read his book its really good.

[@skinnybuddha8988]

Whats the name of the book? I grew up in the Bay but I never became a DeadHead until last week when I did 4 tabs and watched the Grateful Dead movie, now I can't stop listening to them.

[@freedomworks3976]

@@skinnybuddha8988 searching for the sound is the name of his book. Bill Kreutzmans book Deal is also very very good.

[@nedrobinson7490]

@@skinnybuddha8988 Phil’s book is my favorite of any book ever written about the band. He always seemed the most level headed, the Dad, of the band. Not to mention he’s a very intellectual, fascinating guy and an excellent writer taboot. Definitely check out ‘Searching for the Sound’ if you want what’s always seemed to me the most down-the-middle, unbiased (as one person can be) account of the whole story of it all from start to still unfinished. He does a great job of providing the cultural context of their shared story of cosmic synchronicities that make the whole thing feel ‘meant to be’ on some higher, esoteric level.

[@blankpool]

Hes not 80 years old, hes 80 years young

[@MrHAPPYHAWAIIAN]

@@blankpool no, he had a liver transplant. He’s old😳

[@CryptoCopilots]

In my opinion just as the host said it made him " Crazy " ive always felt that Acid is mostly research chemicals and probly what he had and the real thing i know me and my cats called it just "L". In fact i wouldn't even take it if it was presented as acid. Only L. Anyone else have this experience?

[@Spade777_]

Yes %100 LSD25 and ACID are super different acid is ussaly RC analog that makes folks see things Vs real L is a mind state

[@Wayzor_]

I want to thank Phil for 1974.

[@joebarr725]

My favorite year of Grateful Dead music.

[@disgracelandpod]

Haha well said.

[@merryprankkster]

alembic meets wall of sound bombs away!

[@namcat53]

Phil is an intelligent, talented, nice guy. Thanks for this short interview!

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

I wish Phil had been on Later with Bob Costas

[@teresademaria7462]

I agree! And he's my birthday buddy!

[@BobSperber]

interviews with both Phil and Jerry are riveting for different reasons. Phil is very thoughtful; Jerry’s “just” a guy who loves to play. and I loved Phil‘s book, every time he talked about a show, I found myself dialing it up on Relisten/Archive to (re)live the sound.

[@tourhead]

Very cool! My favorite bass player and my favorite late night host!! Thanks for this Cleveland!

[@wangson]

Ha! That was amazing! I loved Phil's reaction to Craig's suggestion that he'd heard that there were drugs involved with the Grateful Dead! Hilarious!

[@davidhigginbotham5451]

Phil sounds like Leonard Nimoy.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

And Mickey Hart looked like Spock on occasion.

[@bradynorris1653]

Haha. He does!

[@gregoryfrancis3422]

He’s “old school” California

[@slow-mo_moonbuggy]

I used to be so into the dead up until I realized it was just another facet of the social engineering machine.

[@Surya933]

Really disappointed by the interviewer. He managed to stay right on the surface and ask click bait gotcha stereotype questions. Phil stayed above it towering in intellect and calm. Ferguson must not connect with his sister if he can’t connect and respect phill. Sad.

[@sirhcsuiris]

What a worthless interview. Craig seems like he knew nothing about Phil, The dead, or the scene.

[@truegangsteroflove]

Thanks for posting this. I think he would be the most likely member of the Grateful Dead that I would get along with. A friend asked me one time if I would like to meet Jerry Garcia, and I told him it would depend on the circumstance. If it were just to shake hands and tell him how great he was or some other gushing drivel, no. If I would have something to do with him, like jam or get a mini-guitar lesson, definitely. It would have to be something organic, the result of something that brought us together. This of course never happened. We have the people in our lives that we have by living. I saw the Dead six times, am forever grateful for the experience. It's great to see Phil Lesh in an interview. He is a great bass player, plays like Jerry. I know the band from a distance, which is good enough for me.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Phil is the coolest. The glue of the band.

[@karlhungus1569]

Phil Lesh is a grand gentleman with tons of class, who has contributed so much to the world of music. This interviewer, on the other hand, is a classless tool who clearly doesn’t get it and asks inane, disrespectful questions.

[@danielcrescenzo354]

I'd love to see an interview with a member of the band that does not bother with the drug questions. It's like a lug nut when there is a whole car in front of you. Sure it's a part of the car, but there is a whole hell of a lot else to it.

[@karlhungus1569]

@@danielcrescenzo354 lots of good ones out there.

[@gdgbjbfgcbjn]

Ferguson is kind of a dick isn't he, totally forgot about that guy. I guess everyone else did too

[@michelleadams5120]

@@gdgbjbfgcbjn Actually, he is rated second only to Johnny Carson, and has a cult following here on YT. But he is definitely an acquired taste, and was quirky and new back then. If you feel like giving him a second chance, take a look at the Britney Spears monologue.

[@billymahonyy]

i love fergosun...but i agree with you regarding this interview...im also a big fan of psychedlics and i dont think craig understands that world...

[@clovergrass9439]

Wow, that interviewer is annoying. Good for Phil to just roll with it.

[@danalawton2986]

Gotta agree with some other commenters, Ferguson really screwed this interview up while Phil Lesh was just being his humble cool self.

[@chicklets4ever51]

Probably my favorite rock bassist. He inches out Casady and Bruce. Phil is the loosest of them all and still never misses a beat. He creates space with sound, whole vistas for the others to fill with details.

[@bradynorris1653]

I love his syncopation-heavy playing.

[@superjay42]

Man, I was so excited to see this pop up! As a longtime fan of Craig Ferguson and the Dead - especially Phil - I thought this would be a fantastic, thoughtful, interesting conversation, but alas. This is unfortunately VERY early in his tenure on the Late Late Show (2005 is his first year hosting it) and it seems he hadn't yet hit his stride or found his own personal voice, and was still trying to emulate his boss David Letterman at this point. Craig is uncharacteristically shallow here; he's a smart, incredibly insightful guy but regrettably he was just working the cheap jokes (again, like Letterman) that night. Four years later, Ferguson won a prestigious Peabody Award (the broadcast equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize) for his interview with Desmond Tutu; I wish we could have had that version of Craig's show when Phil was a guest.

[@kyotojoel]

Indeed, a lot of cheap shots that Phil handles gracefully.

[@UncannyAleman]

I love how far ahead Phil is in front of Craig’s questioning. One did loads of drugs, helped create endless inspired musicality and tells the tale and the other likes the sound of his own voice.

[@VCT3333]

Craig is a recovering addict which is why he's kinda insisting on that part of the scene.

[@dogslobbergardens6606]

@@VCT3333 Craig was deep into alcohol and cocaine. That's a whole different world from cannabis and psychedelics. The trouble with sobered-up drunks and coke/smack junkies is that they tend to think ALL substances are the same, and that's simply not true.

[@jackhaugh]

Well, Phil was also hooked on opioids so hard he had a guy that would go on tour with him to make sure no one would pass him shit during preshow meet and greets with fans. Don’t begrudge him that one bit. Addiction is a disease, and no one really wants it, it just creeps up on you. Doesn’t diminish his genius by one iota.

[@howardrobinson4938]

This guy was just plain annoying right from the start. Of course Phil remained so cool and even just rode this shit out with pure grace.

[@classygary]

Craig is a talk show comedian… he’s just here doing his thing, while Phil is there to promote his book . Hero worship is mostly a bad look .

[@juniorthe3rdjuniorthe3rd]

Phil handled this interview well. I’m not sure who the guy is interviewing him but he seems to be rather immature and ignorant. Phil is a class act. Jerry was as well but would have walked away.

[@AlexJones-vq5dm]

I love Greatful dead and they are rock gods. At least they will admit to taking drugs unlike some other bands. PINK F🛸👽🙀🙀🙀💖

[@royalewithcheese12]

At one of my favorite GD concerts in between songs we all were shouting, "We want Phil! We want Phil!" After a moment Phil says, "Well alright; just this once." And he sang "Tom Thumb".

[@ColdSmokes]

I've been listening to, studying & have been fascinated with his bass work, style & technique for years. This is the first time I've ever seen him speak. Finally, The Man behind the bass. Seems like a really cool fellow.🎵🎵

[@haveaniceday5693]

Don't forget the wristband Man!!!!!!!!

[@lilacrain3283]

@@haveaniceday5693 The wristband is the secret to nailing Phil’s bass tone

[@houseofsolomon2440]

He's a huge classical music fan.

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Phil is the coolest.. I was literally a kid in the 60's and grew up in the 70's, so never really a hippie. But I still see vestiges of the 60's in society today, though I think it's more unconcious than known. Craig tried to send him up...and failed. Great interview!

[@DaveFrank]

Phil is one of the great men of the 20th century. For real!

[@Nowhereoh]

Never considered myself a Dhead but I did drive a cab in Oakland and picked up my share of them. He worked at KPFA ( est. 1949) which I think changed a lot of things. Here is something else out of Berkeley, Oh Happy Day : kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5eqdal6fKpqsM0 I'm not religious but it is a great song.

[@stevegordon8474]

This is where Craig is hopeless. He cannot talk in any depth so ultimately the interview goes nowhere. We don't even find out anything about Lesh's book. At least Phil makes the point about the longevity of The Grateful Dead being about community. If we look back at Jerry Garcia, the Dead's lead guitarist until he died from heart failure in 1995, Garcia came from a folk, blues, bluegrass tradition which was basically a community-based music. That became the essence of the band when it formed in 1965 and was a big part of the significance of The Grateful Dead. But Craig doesn't do anything with this.

[@bradynorris1653]

19 years later, and those 4 surviving founding members are still alive. 👍

[@setboy1]

I haven’t seen this in a long time and it’s just as bad as I remember it. It’s like craig like 4 bullet points but really knew nothing about anything.

[@BlueAgaveStudios]

Phil was so cool he could do a show on acid?

[@KeyserSoze685]

Only a few bands....IMO...that I would see 10 shows or more in a row and EVERY SHOW was different...."Life is like a Dead show....you never know what you might get" forget about a box of Chocolate 😎✌️

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

I listened to this audiobook from a library whilst homeless in Sweden in 2010. It made me proud to be American

[@BigJohnson14]

“That’s a good question” I’m going to start using that too when somebody says something absolutely fucking stupid

[@finnmcginn9931]

The thick scottish brogue isn't suited for tripping bawls.

[@johnm3152]

Met most of the boys - Phil would actually engage in conversation - a nice human indeed

[@D-Fens_1632]

I remember watching this when it aired, I'd bought his book just a couple days before. He came to town for a book signing a month later where they made you buy the book, so then I had two copies. Then somebody gave me a copy a few years later as a gift. I only have the signed copy now though. I met Weir that week, too, in an unrelated incident.

[@Tr33of3s]

Phil is a worthy rockstar to be proud of. Phil changes the game still to this day. Id also like to note that he is the most accurate and articulate musician in the band.. Phil is a professor in another dimension....

[@oughtssought1198]

haven't seen that much Craig Ferguson, maybe a dozen interviews enough to wonder if this is the only time Craig ever raised the topic of social change

[@robertking7269]

Deadheads change the world and Craig helped wish Phil would have given a nod to Bill Walton. Garcia once opened a show with this line for Bill and his friends. This one’s for you Larry this is how we light up an arena

[@dtchinacat3973]

Technically, Phil answered that wrong: there are Three founding members alive, the fourth Mickey Hart joined the band around September 67!

[@ssurfcity]

Would have liked a longer, more in-depth interview.

[@KtothG]

*spoiler alert: the guy running his mouth at the beginning spoils the interview....

[@j-mac7401]

Cringy.... Almost looks as though it was staged.....

[@TheNokturnalTimes]

They are everywhere!!

[@wangson]

...."Is she Ok?" Brilliant!

[@TheGravygun]

let Phil sing

[@christianklein936]

Please God no!!!!

[@wompbozer3939]

🐺🎶

[@donaldbutcher1260]

Dude, have a cup of coffee you sound like you're falling asleep. Too boring to listen to!

[@brianjansen3103]

This guy's a jerky nuts. Thanks for doing his stupid show tho Phil, love ya man!

[@johnbrittingham4471]

Phil should've changed his name to Phil Latio.

[@janechapman6448]

Thsnk G-d your open ing stopped..nauseating

[@andyl0261]

The first 60 seconds reminded me of colonoscopy photos.

[@gonzobutnotlost]

Unbroken Chain ❤ still holding strong

[@thegracienetwork7847]

The Grateful Dead are as American as apple pie

[@nickhill68]

Craig is such an ass. Love Phil ❤ he handled this interview great

[@rossturcotte419]

*”Donor Rap”*

[@TheErpa22276]

Is she OK? Thats what matters to Phil ❤

[@Frankybroadcast]

Is that true? Hahahaha

[@keefmankeef]

Craig is a classic square who doesn’t get it

[@Greg-go8ep]

do yourself a favor and skip to about 1:30

[@samjensen3658]

If you dont like acid why invite Phil on?

[@elpatudo3670]

Deadheads are everywhere 🌹🎶🤙🏽!

[@laurenceschwartz8606]

What a "dopey" interview. What a dopey interviewer. Love how he tosses the book aside.

[@TheGravygun]

@@berryseinfeld6772 no he's right it is a Dopey interview

[@victordavila2030]

Now we have medical mushrooms!

[@helbitkelbit1790]

Take a look at Kensington PA videos . That is the result of : Tune in , turn on , and drop out . Drugs have ruined the lives of millions..... including one of Phil's best friends

[@merryprankkster]

every silver lining's got a touch of grey

[@jasonsenator6144]

he's kinda lookin like bowie

[@katahdincloud9803]

Bro....stop the cooleyedoscope

[@kenjones6441]

I always personally always thought that the Grateful Dead’s earlier work was a lot better than their later stuff. Now it all makes sense.

[@chicklets4ever51]

They crest until about '72, then it's all denouement, though they still made some fantastic new stuff throughout the Seventies. Jerry once said famously, "If you didn't see us in '68, you missed us."

[@matthewatwood8641]

Everywhere

[@joergie6008]

Oh man I’m surprised I never seen this … 🙏thx 4 the upload

[@rocpile2517]

Ferguson is a dope

[@Bluesmeanie]

"Is she okay?" 🤣😂🤣😂

[@gratefuldoge8598]

I miss L ✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@davidhahnbirds]

👂 🌎 ❤

[@jackstraw522]

What he said about it being alive and well, when I saw Dead & Company in Hersheypark going to shakedown first, and then the way that stadium is built and just the vibe of community that was there and everybody loving the dead. You really felt like you were back in time.

[@classygary]

Hicole Dead Heads are so obnoxiously critical for fks sake it was just a one off interview… it wasn’t designed to crack a code or anything. Phil promoting his book all in a days work for Craig F. and Phil . Next .

[@dreamwell2020]

Craig missed an imprtant opportunity here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3mslmNvhchpbMU

[@rocknrollson9440]

what’s with the wierd stuff at the front

[@effdonahue6595]

Tryin to be psychedelic I reckon

[@wompbozer3939]

It was pretty dumb. The same way they ruined the Grateful Dead movie’s concert footage with that crap. If I want to see fractals I’ll smoke some dmt.

[@relearn1]

Spirit of the 60’s stopped the war, but did not stop the draft. Or was it the other way around? Always changing yet always remaining the same.

[@agentm00se]

phill dosed at pretty much every dead show he played and probably still does :)

[@erfanghasemipour880]

Hey there, we're collecting all the episodes of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Do you happen to have the full episode of this interview? or any other episodes?

[@cactaceous]

Why would you do that? Sounds like self torture.

[@americanmade175]

Seen them in Philly at the Spectrum late 80’s early 90’s can’t remember exactly but I do remember how crazy it was with thousands of people tripping smoking and popping pills

[@russcompton1550]

An enjoyable and thought provoking read. The host comes across as impatient.

[@Buelr]

Name a worst interviewer

[@golds04]

Phil- thanks for the sonic boom on the Friday night sound check At Watkins Glenn. All the Wharf creatures heard that one. Very talented man. Nice interview. Sad the hostilities never quite seemed to clear between Phil and old friends.

[@wilbermoody]

Early Craig.. a few years later I think this would have been a much more generative conversation