Today I learned that Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead has died..

It hit me really hard.. .. I’ve been listening to teh Dead since 1975 .. my first album was Europe 72 that was given to me by my good freind Ellen. for my birthday in 1977 / .. and they’ve been on the soundtrack of my life ever since

I think that was the year of my first show.. I cant remember how many shows i’ve been to.. not that meany for a true deadhead.. but too many to remember.. houston. boston. highgate, austin. pitsburg, saratoga, san fran, vegas, NYC, are ones I remember .. many more that I cant .. also many of them iv eseen in various solo projects,   .. Deaad and compoany, Phil and firends,. Wolf brothers.   , Grissman..     I’ve been listenign to their recorded music, so many cover bands and all three kids leanred to play china cat sunflower eary in their musical careers. Soemtimes when i’d come home from work i’d wing the kids aroudn by their  arms as we listended to the dead.. usually something like ‘touch of grey.. the kids clalled it ‘swing around music’ .,   I. remember where I was when Jerry Garcia died (Maine on vacation).  I remeber  when Phil died.. .. 

even so.. Bobby was the heart of the band for me..   his depth hit me hardest. 

He and the other band members felt like friends to me.. and to all their fans.. 

I actually really did know Bobby.

Over the last 2 years he has been a collaborator with a team lead by my friend Mike. Mike’s goal for project XenboX  is to use brain waves to sense a musicians metnal state.. the  musician gets into the zone.. the jam state, the device woudl chenge a musical effect.  

We’ve been workign on it for nearly 2 years.. Bobby joined some  of our work calls.. then in April of 2023 ,, Mike, Diane, Jared, Suze, Shawn, Greg and Phoebe when to Bobby’s studio in San Rafael , Ca. We sent the day there recording brain waves of Mike and Bobby as they played.. It was fun and fascinating. Bobby was such a kind and fun person. So was his wife Natasha

Bob  was totally in to XenboX,, and loved what we were trying to do.   He was very generous with his time and his skill.   He was interested in our project.. he was interested in us.. He even has a Samstone .. 
You can read about the visit here . 

We’ve continued to work on XenboX  ever scince..

When we heard that Bobby had died it shook us all. This project will always have a part of him in it. 

I sent the day listeing to  Bobby’s music.. for soem reason ‘Looks like Rain‘ really spoke to me

Fare the well Bobby !

nite all, nite sam
-me