Happy New Year (almost), Folks!
I’m assuming we’ll make it.
Please be careful on the NYE. Don’t die in a stupid way. I don’t even go out there. I never really liked doing standup on that night. Eventually I just stopped going out at all. I used to go to NYE parities but only for a little while early in the evening. I just have this terrible fear of being t-boned by a drunk, texting teenager in between parties scrambling to get somewhere in time for the countdown.
I know. It’s a very specific fear but I think a rational one.
So, I did something the other night that I never thought I would do. Yup. You guessed it. I went to see Dead and Company. I’m not a huge Dead head but I have love for them. I saw them when I was a freshman in High School on the Terrapin tour but I had no idea what they did or why. I got the tickets for free. Later, in college I did what was necessary. I tripped, saw them a few times and lived with Dead Head roommates for a couple of years. So, the Dead is hardwired into me. I like them. I like the music. I just never thought I would want to see what’s left of them with John Mayer.
My brother wanted to bring his step daughter out to see them in LA. I wasn’t going to with them but I was going to try to get them some tickets. Then I decided, ‘fuck it. I’ll go.’ Me and Lynn and my bro and his kid went to see them and I had a blast. It was great to hear the songs again. Bob sounded great. Mickey and Bill were on it. John was fine. He had the Jerry tone and flourishes down and made them his own. It sounded good.
I couldn’t help feeling the absence though. To see Bob there like an old captain of a ghost ship. He was all in. He was present. He was singing the shit out of those songs but it felt like a living eulogy for a different time and Jerry. Again, it wasn’t a downer, it just felt a little haunted. When they played He’s Gone it felt really deep. Then, Morning Dew just crushed me. And then, One More Saturday Night and I was doing the hippie jig again.
I’m glad I bore witness.
Today I talk to Shauna Duggins, the Emmy-winning stunt coordinator of GLOW, about being a stunt person. On Thursday I talk to Scott Caan about growing up in Hollywood, his dad and leveling off as a person. Great talks!
Enjoy!
Love,
Maron