Best Radio Station Tribute
STAFF PICK: The Echo's spontaneous tribute to Jerry Garcia August 9 had to be one of the nation's finest memorials. Not only did KEKO--92.1 FM play tunes by Jerry and the Grateful Dead all day on the airwaves, they also quickly, and apparently seamlessly, pulled together a gathering for the city's mourning Deadheads at the Reid Park bandshell. One woman told a DJ, "This is the last time we'll all be together like this." A poignant shrine took form and sad fans meandered by a table full of groovy candles, longstemmed roses, portraits of Jerry, psychedelic artwork, even a few vintage blacklight posters. A bud of the smokable variety sat for hours on a yellowing photograph with no one ever lifting it. The peaceful gathering drew the usual Deadhead mix: Vietnam vets, dreadlocked X-ers, tie-dyed '60s leftovers, Dockers-clad stockbrokers from the '90s, mountain boys and granolas, moms blowing bubbles for kids, children hefted on shoulders to bat at beach balls--just lots of kindness everywhere you looked. The Echo's tribute seemed to capture what Jerry was all about--a profound fusion of joy and sadness. As night fell, a thick throng of dancers whirled and swayed down by the stage. Just before the park lights came on in the gray dusk, KEKO aired the Jerry Garcia Band playing the spiritual "My Sisters and Brothers": "I want to say to my sisters and my brothers, keep the faith....this world is not our home, we are only passing through....we can all be together forever and ever when we make it to the promised land." Makes some of us think about believing in heaven afterall. We are everywhere and we will not forget. Rest in Peace, Jerry.
