Mastodawn

Wendell T. Scroggins May 11, 2024

Many people are saying the Jerry Garcia Band is better than the Grateful Dead. More and more people are saying this, and JGB has been getting attention and has been doing very well.

My question is: How can the Grateful Dead be the Greatest American Rock band if they aren’t even the best American Rock Band with Jerry Garcia?

Nobody makes a similar argument about TAB v. phish.

Therefore, once again, I am correct: Phish is the Greatest American Rock band.

✌️ ❤️

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Rosey May 11, 2024

@maxellxlii90 Nobody who spends any serious amount of time really listening to the Dead and JGB actually prefers the latter. I’ve never met a serious fan who holds that opinion. Maybe it’s my bubble?

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Mr. Completely May 11, 2024

@Rosey @maxellxlii90 there is a large minority of very well seasoned and knowledgeable fans that hold that opinion. If by JGB you mean all Garcia On The Side projects I find the difference less than you might think. Starting in about 88 they're at approximate parity imo and by late 1991 at latest I def strongly prefer jgb (especially if you get the Grisman stuff too)

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Mr. Completely

@Rosey @maxellxlii90 it largely comes down to people who actively dislike Weir and/or don't really get into post Keith dead. Which is a smaller percentage of serious heads than it used to be but still consequential.

I personally view the two as a unified musical whole. My digital library is in chronological order with Garcia shows mixed in with Dead shows. The point is that Jerry was there. This is also why I have almost no interest in post Garcia dead music.