“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right”-The Grateful Dead
Such beautiful lyrics sung, but when lead vocalist/song writer/guitarist, Jerry Garcia died back in 95’, deadheads never thought the light would shine again. But contrary to popular belief, the Dead stayed true to their work and luckily, “The Music Never Stopped.”
Within the past several years, living members of the Dead have created various side projects to keep the heads and the head’s offspring inspired with the sound of their latest project, Furthur. Including the originals, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, Furthur grooved this spring and concluded their tour in Florida stopping at the UCF Arena for their second to last show for the season.
As Furthur approached the stage at 7:30pm and I saw their human flesh, I was in complete awe, as were the rest of the modern-day hippies around. Opening with, “Here Comes Sunshine”, beautiful melodies projected from the stage as happiness ran throughout me. I had grown up on the Grateful Dead’s music, had heard every song and read several memoirs but this was the first time I’d seen Furthur live; I don’t think I could have been more ecstatic as they continued their nostalgic jam.
As they played favorites such as, “Sugar Magnolia”, “The Wheel”, “I Need a Miracle”, “Truckin’ ” and “Fire on the Mountain”, a great aura filled the arena as attendees danced to Furthur’s mind-blowing rock n’ roll music. For me, my virgin ears were filled with joy but for most, it was just a glimpse back into their past. As Furthur ended their set with “Touch of Grey,” I couldn’t help but think how I was born in the wrong decade. Regardless, their show confirmed one thing: The Dead will never be dead.
