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| Bob Weir at The Wiltern - Photo © 2016 Donna Balancia |
LOS ANGELES - Bob Weir's recent show at the Wiltern Theatre was a winner on a lot of levels. Not only is the legendary Grateful Dead co-founder still alive and singin' his songs, he's bringing in a whole new legion of fans: The Deadheads' grandkids.
It's almost as if the clock reversed back to 1969 outside the Wiltern as a line of rainbow T-shirts and dreadlocks snaked around the corner and down the side street east of the venue.
Each person, regardless of whether they were 70 or 17 had an opinion or fond memory of "Bobby." Many had seen him a dozen times and some in line were newcomers to the world of Deadness.
To be honest, it wasn't a Grateful Dead show and it was not intended to be. But it was great that Bobby played several of the familiar tunes from the old days, but he also has a new album, Blue Mountain, and the songs are beautiful.
"I came here to see him because I don't know how many more times I'll be able to stand for an entire show," said an elderly Dead fan. "When I was younger I followed the Dead around but now I'm standing a lot at these shows and I can't do it too much any more."
It's a sad state of affairs for the older Dead fans. But there is a lot to make up for in attracting the young people. John Mayer accompanies Bobby and tale be told he supposedly practiced and practiced the famous tunes like "Me and My Uncle" and "Jack Straw" until he got them just right.
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| Dead fans came from all over to see Bob Weir - Photo © 2016 Donna Balancia |
John Mayer
Mayer has played a significant role in Bob Weir's latest tour. He has fans galore and most of them are under the age of 45. In this day and with the music business the way it is, no band should be without its attraction for the younger ticket-buyer.
Mayer will never fill Jerry Garcia's shoes, but he does a great job of helping Grateful Dead fans to commemorate Jerry's existence in one of the best bands that ever played on.
Read more at EastCoastRocker.com
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| Bob Weir and John Mayer at The Wiltern - Photo © 2016 Donna Balancia |
