| Title | : | Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0385474024 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780385474023 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 416 |
| Publication | : | First published August 1, 1994 |
Skeleton A Dictionary for Deadheads is the first map of what Jerry Garcia calls "the Grateful Dead outback," as seen through the eyes of the faithful, friends, and family, including Bill Walton, Elvis Costello, Tipper Gore, Al Franken, Bob Bralove, Dick Latvala, Blair Jackson, David Gans, Bruce Hornsby, Rob Wasserman, and Robert Hunter. Skeleton Key puts you on the Merry Pranksters' bus behind the real Cowboy Neal, uncovers the origins of Cherry Garcia, follows the dancing bear on its trip from psychedelic artifact to trademarked icon, and unlocks the Dead's own tape vault.
Informative reading for the new fan or the most grizzled "tourhead," Skeleton Key shines throughout with Deadheads' own stories, wit, insiders' knowledge, sincere appreciation of the music of the "band beyond description," and the diverse and soulful culture it inspires.
Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads Reviews
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Far more than just rote definitions on Dead ephemera -- a collection of voices discussing albums, show dates, contextualizing history, and making connections. While resources like this aren’t meant to be read A to Z I did so, taking many of the [i]see also[/i] sidetrips building out mini narrative lines little setlists looping through time. A wildly fun, wonderfully researched, informative book.
Also: the early 90’s internet resources could be viewed 25 years later as laughable relics of a bygone time, yet the joy of connection and community is written about so earnestly it casts these artifacts with energy: “that sound that my modem makes is like the creaking of a door to the Deadhead clubhouse of my dreams.” -
Structured as a dictionary, this a well-researched snapshot of Grateful Dead lore, including mini-bios, trivia, lingo, and backgrounders on the scene going back to the Haight days. Published in 1994, so some of the material is a bit dated, but a fun read that will provide delightful nuggets even for deadicated fans.
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Written prior to Jerry's shuffling off of his mortal coil, some of the items are a bit dated. Other terms have changed in meaning over the years since, but still a great enjoyable ready which is easy to pick up and put down and taken in small snippets. I enjoyed reading it.
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Essential reading for any staunch DeadHead or classic rock fan. Written prior to Jerry’s death so dated at times but still a great read. I read from start to finish but could be used as a reference book as it is styled like a dictionary.
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Pretty boring alphabetical listing of Grateful Dead phrases, staff and band bios, concert venues, album descriptions, just about anything the authors could come up with associated with the Dead. I’m sure I gleaned some new information but I can’t remember what it was. 1½*
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An insider's guide to the arcane and weird trip that's the Grateful Dead and the mists that surround them
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Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads is 400 pages of lore, history, interviews, and thoughts on the Meaning of It All, from what guitarist Jerry Garcia calls "the Grateful Dead outback" - the diverse global community that is nourished by the music of the Grateful Dead and the shared experience of Dead shows.
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Fun stuff, but many perpetuated stereotypes and such that did not fit us all. Fun as a coffee table book or light bathroom reading. Don't expect to learn to much about the scene in here.
