From: 0004903167@mcimail.com (Brian J. Rupert)
Newsgroups: rec.music.gdead
Subject: Dead Newsclippings
Date: 17 Aug 92 17:14:43 GMT
Reply-To: 0004903167@mcimail.com
Organization: The Internet

From some of the news wires (LA Times, Washington Post, w/o
permission of course). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

   Aside from receiving a few calls about nude bathing, Ventura
police said they had no trouble from a throng of Grateful Dead fans
that converged Friday on the Ventura County Fairgrounds for a concert
by the rock group's lead singer, Jerry Garcia. The last time the
Grateful Dead came to Ventura, in 1987, six people were arrested and
residents complained that some fans were intoxicated, relieved
themselves in public and camped in downtown Ventura.
   The Ventura County Fair Board decided to ban Grateful Dead
concerts in March, 1988, but reversed its decision a month later
after fans organized a petition drive. Friday marked the first time
since 1987 that any member of the Grateful Dead has performed at the
county fairgrounds. Police and fairground security said they expected
no problems. "The reputation of the Jerry Garcia show is really very
nice," fair spokeswoman Terri Raley said before the show. "I'm not
concerned."
   Police and fairground security officials said they did not
increase patrols for the concert. A security official said a crowd of
about 12,000 was expected. Before the concert, police received
complaints that about 200 fans were "tearing off their clothes and
running into the surf," police spokesman Graham Jeffrey said, adding
that officers couldn't find anyone naked when they arrived at the
beach.
   The beach did draw dozens of "Deadheads" Friday morning, but they
were only basking in the sun and socializing at Surfers Point. "I
want to learn how to surf today," said Zola Mercedes Alexander, a
teen-ager from Ohio who was born at a Grateful Dead concert 17 years
ago.
   "It's my first time in California," she said. "I think Ventura is
a little uptight. I got kicked out of two stores today because I
didn't have any shoes, and some lady told me to brush my hair."
   But 21-year-old Bruce Meyer of Lincoln, Neb., said he was relieved
to be in California because people on the West Coast are used to
Deadheads. "You should see what happens when we roll into these small
Midwestern towns," said Meyer, who arrived in Ventura on Thursday
night in a dilapidated van. "These people have never seen hippies
before. They absolutely freak!"
   Meyer, an environmental-studies major, said he dropped out of
college this year to become a Deadhead road groupie. "My parents
think I work in Omaha," he said. Being a hard-core Deadhead who
follows the rock 'n' roll tour means adopting a different lifestyle,
said David McElroy, 31, of Newport Beach, who lives out of an old
Ford Mustang and makes his living by selling T-shirts.
"It's like a carnival," McElroy said. "Unfortunately, some people in
town don't like the carnival." About 1,000 to 2,000 of the faithful
follow the tour on the road, according to McElroy. "It's like a
family," he said. "We're all very peaceful and we just kind of want
to do our own thing." McElroy, who has been on the road for more than
four years, said he attended the group's Ventura concert in 1987. He
couldn't remember any problems. "But after a while," he said, "they
all blend into one show."

The Wash. Post:
  "No more Cherry Garcia for the Grateful Dead's legendary
guitarist. Jerry Garcia's continuing health problems have forced the
band to cancel its fall East Coast tour, which was to have started
Sept. 9 and included concerts at Capital Centre Sept. 20, 21 and 22.
A total of 18 concerts in four cities were canceled; shows in Oregon
and California were canceled earlier this month. At the time,
doctors suggested Garcia, 50, would need at least a month's rest.
Garcia is recovering at home. Exhaustion, poor diet and
cigarettes likely caused Garcia's physical breakdown, according to
his doctor.
   "He has some lung disease related to years of smoking, and this
has put some stress on his heart, which has become slightly
enlarged," physician Randy Baker said in a statement. Garcia has
agreed to stop smoking and to exercise. He will also lose weight to
help resolve his borderline diabetes, Baker said.
   The guitarist has a history of health problems. Soon after
an RFK concert in 1986, Garcia fell into a near-fatal five-day coma
brought on by a diabetic condition aggravated by exhaustion and past
drug use. The Dead hoped to resume concerts by the end of the year."
          ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^
----------^ Let's Hope SO!

BJR

E-Mail: 490-3167@mcimail.com

   
Newsgroups: rec.music.gdead