Phil Lesh first met Jerry Garcia in 1959 in the clubs of Palo Alto, California. At Garcia's suggestion, Lesh learned to play the electric bass and ...
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Aug 18, 2011
Sandy
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An old maxim states that if you can remember the 1960s, then you probably weren't there; a sentiment that suggests, I suppose, that if you really were an active participant in that frenzied decade, with its recreational and psychedelic drug use, then your brainpan should be too sizzled to recall any of it. Putting the lie to this old adage is Phil Lesh, in his 2005 autobiography "Searching for the Sound." If there's any survivor of the '60s who should have his cerebrum toasted well pas
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Jan 08, 2009
Eric
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Its pretty simple, really. If you like, and I mean really like, the Grateful Dead, then you are going to really like this book. If you are a casual fan, or merely interested in rock and roll, then you may find parts of this book interesting. If you are looking for a tell-all, dish all of the dirt book about the slow, drug and alcohol addled decline of Pigpen, Keith, Brent and Jerry (the book was published before Vince died), well, here's an idea of what you are going to get - "At the end
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Aug 07, 2011
Mark
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I like Phil's book. I like it a whale of a lot more than I do McNally's. Phil writes in a nice style, with not a touch of the supposed "arrogance" attributed to him in his younger years evident. In fact one could assume that, due to the changes he needed to make in his lifestyle just to survive in the past decade or so, that also included eating a few large pieces of crow-pie, washed down with genuine humility and probably at times some real tears.
Phil goes into the story of the b More...
Phil goes into the story of the b More...
Dec 20, 2011
Lynn
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In August of 1995 the man I was dating at the time was devastated. Jerry Garcia had died because of diabetes, poor health because of a hard life and self abuse. I didn't quite understand my boyfriend's loss of an icon, but well I tried to be supportive.
I think I understand a little bit more after listening to this abridged version of the lives of a band that helped changed the music scene.
Phil Lesh had a music education and played in jazz bands and orchestras in high sc More...
I think I understand a little bit more after listening to this abridged version of the lives of a band that helped changed the music scene.
Phil Lesh had a music education and played in jazz bands and orchestras in high sc More...
Dec 28, 2011
R.S.
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I read Phil Lesh's book right after reading Keith Richard's and enjoyed the contrasts and similarities. Phil played bass for The Grateful Dead, Keith plays guitar for The Rolling Stones.
Lesh had a classical musical education, Keith was self taught from blues records. As musicians, both were/are high innovative.
Both fellows contributed to and participated in the musical and cultural explosions of the 1960's (and beyond)--Lesh from the Haight-Ashbury / Merry Prankster / Acid Test More...
Lesh had a classical musical education, Keith was self taught from blues records. As musicians, both were/are high innovative.
Both fellows contributed to and participated in the musical and cultural explosions of the 1960's (and beyond)--Lesh from the Haight-Ashbury / Merry Prankster / Acid Test More...
Mar 23, 2009
Tano
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Of course I'm interested in the material, but Lesh has a surprisingly strong voice and sense of story. And he's refreshingly frank about a lot of sensitive issues: drug and alcohol problems in the band, the decline of the music in general, personal gripes, etc. What struck me the most was how much of a fanboy he sounds like when he talks about Jerry Garcia. Just like anyone else in the crowd, he would get excited just by Jerry looking over at him and winking. All in all, a decent read, but m
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Jul 30, 2008
Oren
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I've not ever held much interest in the Grateful Dead's music, as it just never grew with me. Friend's have tried and so have I, but it just never has been the life affirming and changing experience other music provides.
Still I respect very much what the Grateful Dead brought to music and agree strongly with views I've heard Jerry Garcia and others espouse in interviews.
I'm glad to have learned much more about the and reading this book. I've read a good many band biogra More...
Still I respect very much what the Grateful Dead brought to music and agree strongly with views I've heard Jerry Garcia and others espouse in interviews.
I'm glad to have learned much more about the and reading this book. I've read a good many band biogra More...
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Oct 31, 2009
Chris
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Pretty good! Not a comprehensive history of The Dead, but an interesting look into the inner workings of the band by one of its founders (and, arguably, its most interesting and multi-faceted member). I wish he had spent a little more time talking about the group's improvisational dynamic, and a little less on re-hashing the usual road stories, but it's a worthwhile read, especially if you're just getting into this band's music for the first time (as I was last summer).
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Aug 31, 2010
Ms. Falzon
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I love the Grateful Dead and always wonder what it would have been like to see them play live. By reading this book, I feel as though I have somewhat more of an understanding of what it must have been like. I have read some memoirs by "non-writers" that fell flat, but Phil really makes his time with the band come alive. As he describes live shows, jam sessions, recording, I could almost hear certain songs being played. I love that he speaks with honesty, not highlighting nor ignoring h
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Oct 03, 2011
Aaron
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I really loved reading this. Found myself digging up shows I hadn't listened to in years. It rekindled a Dead spirit. All in all this is a brief personal summarization of 30+ years. I found Phil's personal accounts of many GD legends and moments I vaguely knew about fascinating -- the forming of the GD, Cassady, passing of Pigpen, arrival of Keith, Lenny, '75 hiatus, Jerry's health, etc. Phil also goes into some detail about technical aspects of the music and sound engineering. At the same
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Jan 12, 2011
Angie
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Any Grateful Dead fan would love this book. It chronicles the bands beginnings; it has humor, candor and so much history of the early 60's, San Francisco, Haight Ashbury. The relationships of the band members. it is written very well, flows nicely and is never boring. I finished and wished I had been born just a little earlier and in California....oh well.
Mar 01, 2009
Craig
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Being a dead head I finally got around to reading about the bass player that defines my style. Wonderful book. I wanted to add that I am a bass player that looked at Phil as the bass player I wanted to be. So I am more inclined to like this book than the average reader. But if your a dead head and you want to know Phil's thoughts on his life with the Dead, this is the book for you.
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Jun 03, 2011
Jayson
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As much as I know about the Grateful Dead, I still learned something. This book was amazing. I liked how he talked about Gerry and how nice he was. You can tell he [Phil] is intelligent, probably the smartest one in the band. He was humble and sincere and open about the good and the bad. Very interesting. A great to read. He's so smart!
Dec 17, 2009
Dan
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granted the writing, for the most part, is sub-par, i really enjoyed this book. being a huge fan of the dead since i was younger, i was completely fascinated by lesh's insight on the band's development musically and spiritually. my favorite period of the band's career was it's inception in '65 until about 1973, when wake of the flood< was released. While the remainder of the music from the 70s was good, I think that their earlier period was most interesting (as is often the case), mainly due
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Oct 23, 2009
Barbikat60
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Wow, Phil Lesh is a great writer!!!!! I'm not that electronically savvy so a lot of the sound parts baffled me but his music history and the relationship of the Grateful Dead family was powerful. I especially admired his intelligence, wry sense of humor and honesty.
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May 12, 2010
Will
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interesting in that Phil gives you an insider's look at the intellectual, emotional and technical efforts that went into constructing the Grateful Dead's music. A must read for any Deadhead.
Jan 23, 2011
Lawrence
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very enjoyable and pretty fair, albeit one man's version. fairly frank and direct, though some controversies are skipped (and that's not necessarily a criticism). if you're a fan, read it.
Jul 15, 2011
Patrick
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If you're a Grateful Dead fan and want an insight into the development of their sound through the eyes of an original member, this is a good book and a quick read.
Aug 19, 2007
Scott
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I bought this yesterday at Dollar Tree. I figured it would be an interesting book despite my not being much of a fan of the Grateful Dead. But I have a weakness for books about contemporary music; I could probably get completely engrossed in a good book about Britney Spears.
The book? If you're interested in this sort of thing, then it's right up your alley. What else can I say? I didn't hate it and it was a quick and easy read.
I'm a little embarrassed that this is the fi More...
The book? If you're interested in this sort of thing, then it's right up your alley. What else can I say? I didn't hate it and it was a quick and easy read.
I'm a little embarrassed that this is the fi More...
Jan 12, 2010
Lesh writes in an easy, light-hearted tone while relaying some of the most barrier-busting events of the 20th c. A great read!
Oct 04, 2009
Niklas
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Fed my recent Grateful Dead obsession by reading the bassist's memoir. Fascinating and well written.
Feb 14, 2010
Damon
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This is a fast read. I love music books that are written by someone in the band. Phil Lesh was there for all of it. He's a cool guy.
Mar 01, 2010
Nora
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The first book by a member of the Grateful Dead, about BEING IN the Grateful Dead!
Mar 11, 2009
Jojono
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I forgot that the dead were at Altamont and woodstock
Phil Lesh is a pisces!
Phil Lesh is a pisces!
Feb 29, 2008
George Bradford
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Phil Lesh is an extraordinary musician. And he had the good fortune to be part of an amazing musical enterprise. But Phil Lesh does not pat himself on the back or brag or self promote. He simply tells his story. And in doing so what this book reveals (in addition to some entertaining stories and fascinating history) is a man with a good heart and sweet nature. I'm not the "hugging type", but after reading this book I wanted to hug Phil Lesh and say "Thank you for sharing that
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Feb 06, 2010
Alison
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Fabulous book. My review on my website: http://thatmercurysound.com/2010/02/04/r...
