ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My gratitude and appreciation goes to all the people who stood by me throughout this project. Their support and faith helped me make my way through the whole experience.

In particular, I would like to thank Franki Secunda for her encouragement and laughter; Charlie Ordonez, my “landlord” for his generosity—the use of his wonderful house and sweet ’78 Ford pickup truck helped make this book a reality.

Special thanks also to the various people whose presence in my life influenced this work: John Burks and Ben Fong-Torres—original staff members at Rolling Stone who were very supportive as my teachers in college; all the musicians in my life, too numerous to name, who turned me on to the magic of music; Steve Brown; Cynthia Johnston; HA Kelly Esley, Frisco, who taught me that pressure makes diamonds; Cree McCree and Donald Miller; David Godfrey; Crisco Janda and friends; Astra Esley; everyone in my family, especially my father, Bud Johnson, who always believed in me.

I am grateful to all the people who participated in this project for their help, enthusiasm, and willingness to share. And, of course, to the Grateful Dead, who are the fire around which the people in this book dance, and without whom none of the stories herein would ever have occurred.

Last, and certainly not least, I’d especially like to thank Jerry Garcia and Bobby Weir, who, through their radiant spirits and kinds words, showed me the light in a time of confusion and helped guide me back home.

Because I finished this book just a few days before Jerry died, many stories about Jerry and the Grateful Dead are told in the present tense, even though he’s gone now—wherever it was he went. I wondered how I should deal with this issue and decided to leave everything the way it is because I believe—and I reckon I’m not alone on this—that Jerry is still very much “present” in our hearts, and always will be.

In “After” you will find some feelings, thoughts, and photos from just a few of the hundreds of thousands of people out there who experienced Jerry’s magic and who are now left to pick up the torch and carry on.

—Linda Kelly, 1995

* * *

What a trip, twenty years later, to re-connect with many of the original interviewees of Deadheads, as well as collect new stories from various Grateful Dead die-hards. The experience has been cathartic—remembering who I was, discovering who I’ve become—listening to a wide variety of tales told all these years later. Everyone was so forthcoming and sweet in their story sharing. The heart and soul of what the Grateful Dead were all about is still beating strong. Memories are magic!

I’d like to thank my agent, Peter Beren, for yanking back my book rights all these years later, my publisher, Skyhorse—especially my always-supportive, positive editor, Nicole Frail—for really believing in this new take on an old creative exploration, and all the new folks who hopped on the storytelling bus.

A special shout out to: Steve Brown for his wonderfully timeless cover photo of Jerry “going to work” on Haight Street in 1968, and for sharing a few new Dead ditties, and to gonzo goddess, Cynthia Johnston, always an inspiration; Mackey Foster and Brennan Young for adding some southern flavor by connecting me with folks from Alabama and Georgia, bless your hearts; Michael McGinn for keeping it real and rolling tape as Ramblin’ Jack and John Perry Barlow pulled memories out of cowboy hats; my writing mentor and comrade in scribedom, Cary Tennis, and his lovely wife Norma, who have rekindled my passion for writing; Scott MacDonald for his unconditional love, support, and laughter; my entire family—especially my Pops and Terry for kicking cancer to the curb and getting his “S” in Superman back; Sue, Bill, Bernard and Michelle for just being who they are; all my kooky, contagious, and inspiring Burning Man peeps for their heartfelt and hilarious connection all these years; Dana Behan for the best confidant a girl could have; Hilary Corrigan for helping me cross the abyss into the land of self re-creation; Curt Himy and everyone in our band, Bootie Cooler, for tickling my music mojo; Sherene, Stefanie, Holly and Nick for their cosmic guidance; the always-smiling “T” and Noel at Central Market, and Gus and crew at Haight Street Market—for feeding me and keeping the well flowing; and finally to my lovely neighbors Rachel Leavitt, Hope Feldman, Seth Shapiro, and the Central Street gang, who have all become family to me in our Mr.-Rogers-on-acid neighborhood here in the Haight-Ashbury.

—Linda Kelly, 2015