The Cosmic Connection

As the tenth anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death on Agust 9, 1995 approaches, we begin to understand more about the “Cosmic Connection” between all people and all things. One of the Cosmic Connections that Jerry has is with John Lennon.

Lennon, one of the “Fab Four” as the Beatles were known, was a creative genius, “In His own Write”. Often referred to as the “leader” of the Beatles as Jerry Garcia is similarly described as the “backbone” of The Grateful Dead, Lennon continued on as a solo artist after the Beatles’ breakup in 1970. With his wife Yoko perpetually by his side, they played a major role in creating a “Cosmic Awareness” in the achievment of world peace. Their slogan, “War Is Over (If You Want it)!” is considered by many to be “The shot for peace heard ‘round the world”.

John Lennon’s message, both with The Beatles and with his wife, Yoko Ono, was and still is a message of love, peace and a belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. Jerry Garcia was also a creative genius and the driving force of a group of “ragtag” musicians known as The Grateful Dead. He had a similar message and both artists used their own brand of music to spread the word to the rest of us mortals.

The similarities between John and Jerry are endless. Both were artists; both were singers and songwriters; both were musicians and used their music and lyrics to spread the message they had to tell. They both considered themselves to be clowns, of a sort. They both, at one time or another, had a problem with drugs and both considered themselves to be not so good fathers. As John Lennon has said, “I was never home much but always on the road, bloody working all the time.” Jerry Garcia has stated, ”With my older kids, I was pretty much an absentee parent, a mediocre father at best.” Regardless, they were loved and respected by their children.

John Lennon and Jerry Garcia are no longer with us in this physical world. Lennon was brutally gunned down outside his home in New York City on December 8, 1980. He was 40 years old. For those of us who grew up with The Beatles, this day has now replaced the Japanese attack on Pearl harbor, December 7, 1941, as the “Day Of Infamy” We will always miss him. John Lennon lives inside of us. Jerry Garcia’s death, while no less tragic, was at least not so brutal. He died at the age of 53 of a heart attack, instead of at the evil hands of a misguided misfit. We will always miss him. Jerry Garcia lives inside of us.

It was fitting and appropriate, therefore, that after his death, one of the Memorials for Jerry Garcia was held at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The mood was both festive and somber with music and much laughter to help ease the sadness and sorrow. Like a 1960’s apparition, jerryblog (cont’d)standing next to Bob Weir was one of the psychedelic era’s gurus, Wavy Gravy - dressed as a clown. Three thousand miles away in New York City, another Memorial for Jerry Garcia was being held. Hundred of his “Deadhead” fans lit candles and paid their respects to another fallen “Icon” at The John Lennon “Imagine” mosiac, in Central Park’s, Strawberry Fields.