"Deal" is much more relaxed and personal story than other books on the Grateful Dead floating around. It took me a bit to get into the flow of the storytelling. But once I let myself go and just enjoy the experience (as any deadhead knows is key to a good show), I could picture Bill sitting across from me, telling his story, in his own way, in his own time. And suddenly I was immersed in each era and each experience, in vivid detail and feeling.
At first I felt critical of Benjy thinking, "what did this guy even do?" I felt like he must have been a straight up transcriber, even missing some pretty basic edits (like leaving the word "to" out of sentence). Then I realized he must have kept Bill on track, keeping him focused on telling a relatively linear tale, encouraging him to expand on certain topics and keep him from rambling on with other themes. It's actually a testament to his editorial prowess that Bill's voice and personality are never lost.
To get to know each member of the GD, past and present, along with all the supporting characters (managers, roadies, lsd providers, "friends of the dead"), through the eyes of one of their own was a gift. This is a history told through experience... Learning the "history" of beloved songs, through their improvisational meters, the events that inspired each lyric and the collaboration born of a shared consciousness of the band members. Traveling to venues across the world and going behind the scenes and "after the show." Imagining the high jinx that ensued when band members were burning off after show energy, partying with a huge cast of characters (I will never forget the late night, indoor "battle of the fireworks "). Hearing of deep friendships formed with other iconic characters of each decade. And to learn where Bill came from, what shaped him as a man, a friend, a rebel, and a musician. And so much more.
Personally, it was sad for me to read of the final Jerry years and the disconnect felt between the band members and the fans during the 90's. For I wasn't on the scene until 1990 and beyond. And for me, those experiences made an indelible mark on my soul; they felt pure and authentic. I am a continuing deadhead in the 20+ years since and a big fan of the most recent iteration, Dead & Company. It made me dream of being born in an earlier decade. But, since that's not possible, living vicariously through the life & stories Bill has shared here, I could almost imagine that I had. And hearing of his enthusiasm for creating and playing music again over the last decade, with other musicians (like Oteil) and now with Bobby and Mickey, fills me with hope. And a deep excitement for the start of Spring Tour 2019!
Thank you, Bill, for opening up your vault and sharing of yourself so honestly and completely with all of us, your forever fans.
- Amazon Business: Make the most of your Amazon Business account with exclusive tools and savings. Login now
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
