I posted this before. The Vince situation is more complicated:
There is always more to any story. Remember this: they took a guy who was living in a barn, broke, and about to try and run off to Mexico and attempt to live on the land...
"The famously egalitarian band offered Welnick almost full participation in the concert revenues, merchandise and other partnership holdings, rather than simply taking him on as a sideman. At the time, the Dead was the most popular rock group in the country, pulling down more than $50 million a year at the box office. His earnings soared. He started wearing tie-dye. He bought a Mexican vacation home.
The RatDog Bus Suicide:
The tour manager accompanied him to the hospital, while the rest of the band played the show. After he recovered, Welnick sought psychiatric treatment and began taking antidepressants. He never played with RatDog again.
Phil Lesh on Vince:
"Vince was a generous spirit and a class act. I'll never forget his first gig as our sole keyboard (Bruce Hornsby having moved on) - as we walked out on stage, some folks in the audience on Vince's side of the stage were holding up a big sign which read 'Hey Vinnie- Welcome, Brother' - which almost moved me to tears, not least because of the contrast to Brent's reception 11 years earlier. I was so glad that the Heads had accepted Vince that quickly. "After Jerry's death when I started up Phil Lesh & Friends as a band, Vince was one of my first 'Friends,' and we played a goofy, glorious, fun gig at the Fillmore. We tried to get together again later that year, but he had other commitments. I have nothing but warm memories of Vince and I am forever thankful for the grace and enthusiasm that he brought to the Grateful Dead. "I will remember Vince as a man with a soft voice and a sweet smile who openly adored his wife Lori, who came into the Grateful Dead with the utmost respect for the band, the music - and most of all - the fans."
You can read more about BobThere is always more to any story. s point of view in this article at SFGate[1]
Bob found that Vince was unstable, asking for equipment and holding a grudge with Billy for moving to Hawaii instead of trying to continue. There were issues with his wife, and depression. Vince's grief felt out of place to the longer term members, and went against the Deads style of to each their own.
I think Bobby was in a position that was uncomfortable and in true dead style simply avoided it. Its what Jerry did all his life, its the Dead way, right or wrong.
I also think I dont find blame with the band (although at the 50 I would invite Donna to at least a song or two), but with the fans. However every single person in that band took shit from the public. Do you recall when they played shows with the lights on because of the death threats to Jerry? Dire Wolf is much more interesting when Jerry is pleading dont murder me... Bobby wore Jorts, Brent was shunned when he started and so on. Remember this: they took a guy who was living in a barn, broke, and about to try and run off to Mexico and attempt to live on the land...
"The famously egalitarian band offered Welnick almost full participation in the concert revenues, merchandise and other partnership holdings, rather than simply taking him on as a sideman. At the time, the Dead was the most popular rock group in the country, pulling down more than $50 million a year at the box office. His earnings soared. He started wearing tie-dye. He bought a Mexican vacation home.
The RatDog Bus Suicide:
The tour manager accompanied him to the hospital, while the rest of the band played the show. After he recovered, Welnick sought psychiatric treatment and began taking antidepressants. He never played with RatDog again.
Phil Lesh on Vince:
"Vince was a generous spirit and a class act. I'll never forget his first gig as our sole keyboard (Bruce Hornsby having moved on) - as we walked out on stage, some folks in the audience on Vince's side of the stage were holding up a big sign which read 'Hey Vinnie- Welcome, Brother' - which almost moved me to tears, not least because of the contrast to Brent's reception 11 years earlier. I was so glad that the Heads had accepted Vince that quickly. "After Jerry's death when I started up Phil Lesh & Friends as a band, Vince was one of my first 'Friends,' and we played a goofy, glorious, fun gig at the Fillmore. We tried to get together again later that year, but he had other commitments. I have nothing but warm memories of Vince and I am forever thankful for the grace and enthusiasm that he brought to the Grateful Dead. "I will remember Vince as a man with a soft voice and a sweet smile who openly adored his wife Lori, who came into the Grateful Dead with the utmost respect for the band, the music - and most of all - the fans."
You can read more about Bobs point of view in this article at SFGate[1]
Bob found that Vince was unstable, asking for equipment and holding a grudge with Billy for moving to Hawaii instead of trying to continue. There were issues with his wife, and depression. Vince's grief felt out of place to the longer term members, and went against the Deads style of to each their own.
I think Bobby was in a position that was uncomfortable and in true dead style simply avoided it. Its what Jerry did all his life, its the Dead way, right or wrong.
I also think I dont find blame with the band (although at the 50 I would invite Donna to at least a song or two), but with the fans. However every single person in that band took shit from the public. Do you recall when they played shows with the lights on because of the death threats to Jerry? Dire Wolf is much more interesting when Jerry is pleading dont murder me... Bobby wore Jorts, Brent was shunned when he started and so on.