Bob Weir: Voting and the politics of the Grateful Dead

On October 23, 2009 David Fricke of Rolling Stone magazine interviewed Bob Weir upstairs at the Beacon Theater before RatDog took the stage that night. This is the first of four sections of the interview where Bob discusses HeadCount, voting and the politics of the Grateful Dead.

[terryjames]

The Dead are American as apple pie. Voting your conscience is an American value. Bob makes a lot of sense . He’s not trying to push one ideology or another, rather he is advocating putting power in the hands of the people, at the same time, like he says, emphasizing the importance of becoming educated on the issues. This is great.

[davemo]

Change the system?! What is Joey Ramone talking about? The Grateful Dead ethos was antithetical to a “system.”

[godonlyone]

Our country is a constitutional republic, NOT a democracy.

[davidgardiner]

Oh dear. Jerry always said he had no time for politics and never pushed one side or the other. Getting people registered to vote seemed like a politically neutral stance at the beginning. But why not embrace left wing candidates and policies whilst making a few millions like good capitalists?

[ryphil]

Be it Republican or Democrat... Get out there, register to vote and do your civic duty. Only then can you complain about your government..Im with ya Bob! Peace

[drmarshall]

The Dead didn’t give a crap about politics, After Jerry passed, Bobby sold out.

[zachsimpson]

Well at least Jerry ain't around to see this crap

[kevingreaux]

Salvation is found in no other. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:20

[Skatedork]

We know what you do at the bohemian grove Bobby. We also know about MK ultra and your evolvement in it.

[gmanindustries]

He was a serious gay man but when it came to voting he was the gayest of the gay.

[robo]

He said people come to listen to music and not politics. Love that answer. Their are music lovers on both sides of the political spectrum. Music is a uniter (not sure that’s even word) not a divider. I’ve been to many Dead shows and never once heard anything political spoken from the stage. I’m sure my politics differ from Bob Weir but thats ok. The Grateful Dead is and will always be an inspiration musically for me. The day Jerry died was one of the saddest days for music. Jerry’s beautiful playing will live on forever. There will never be a band like The Grateful Dead.

[claymationwaves]

bob is a musical genius and i do not care about his politics

[maxcady]

If people do not want to vote then leave them alone.
Let me guess...you want them to vote for YOUR candidate.
All politics is done.

[billbeliakoff]

I'll vote to stop Bob from wearing socks with sandals.

[WhatAboutJazz]

Planetary you vote every time you spend a dollar. You vote every time you post on you tube. What are you voting for? The last 15 years of politics have proven how important voting is.

[charlieneely]

holy fuck i thought that was phil with the vintage cut

[kevingreaux]

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal. John 3:16

[gary]

Some of us cant than the four remaining originals enough for Head Count and all of the other events they performed and organised.That must have been some of the toughest stuff for them because as you heard they aint into politcs all that much.And I hope their kids appreciate all they have done also.But im still a grumpy bastard so dont listen to me.

[IggyM]

wish they didn't edit Bobby so much. I love his analogies. :)

[schach]

3:00 Bob jumps time-zones when he says "supply them."