a letter complaining about their work ethic. He sent the Eagles a rhyming dictionary so the extremely particular band could finally finish. He also had to cope with Van Morrison’s temper, James Taylor’s intense shyness and all manner of artist tantrums.Monday at the age of 91, leaving a legacy of not only forging legendary record deals, but dealing with legendary egos.
San Francisco appeared to be very hot. The Airplane had been the only band that busted through. I zeroed in on the Grateful Dead, for what reason I don’t know. I’d heard some demos and things like that. I knew what a spell they could cast up there and that’s what we wanted to get involved with more than the music — the whole Grateful Dead thing.So we went up to San Francisco. [Influential local DJ] Tom Donahue was an amazing character, very charismatic. He was going to arrange something.
Creative control was the hallmark of Warner Brothers. They knew Mo [Ostin] and I would not get involved in things like picking a single. So creative freedom was not a problem. And unlimited studio time wasn’t a problem for their first album [1967’sBut the name “Grateful Dead” terrified a lot of people in the office. They said, “Whoa! Sounds like a spooky outfit.”I used to go up to their house in Haight-Ashbury. Owsley and all these women nursing children.
They wanted Dave Hassinger to produce because he had worked with the Stones. [The experience] was terrible. They were so undisciplined. I wrote a letter saying “You guys are not welcome in my studio and you’ve burned all your bridges in New York. So what’s the story? This is not a game. Why are you screwing around?”I didn’t give a shit. It was the first time I’d ever written a letter like that to anyone. But they annoyed me so much. I’m seeing them sell out arenas.
“Uncle John’s Band.” “Casey Jones.” I love that song. One of my favorite songs of any genre is “Ripple.” It’s such a beautiful melody and Garcia’s voice was so right for it. To me there were other bands that were better, but they had charisma and a reputation.I guess we did. People were a lot more sensitive during that period.
i was always like a CSNY type of guy. Grateful dead ppl are like fake rich kids. Most of them.
Geeez lol