• Bear

  • The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
  • By: Robert Greenfield
  • Narrated by: Sean Runnette
  • Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (223 ratings)

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Bear  By  cover art

Bear

By: Robert Greenfield
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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Publisher's summary

The creator of the dancing bear logo and designer of the Wall of Sound for the Grateful Dead, Augustus Owsley Stanley III, better known by his nickname, Bear, was one of the most iconic figures in the cultural revolution that changed both America and the world during the 1960s. Owsley's high octane rocket fuel enabled Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters to put on the Acid Tests. It also powered much of what happened on stage at Monterey Pop. Owsley turned on Pete Townshend of The Who and Jimi Hendrix. The shipment of LSD that Owsley sent John Lennon resulted in The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour album and film. Convinced that the Grateful Dead were destined to become the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band, Owsley provided the money that kept them going during their early days. As their longtime soundman, he then faithfully recorded many of the Dead's greatest live performances and designed the massive space age system that came to be known as the Wall of Sound. Award-winning author and biographer Robert Greenfield's definitive biography of this Grateful Dead legend masterfully takes us through Owsley's incredible life and times.

©2016 Robert Greenfield (P)2017 Tantor

What listeners say about Bear

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wow

Even though I am intimately familiar with Bear and his story, this is a very detailed telling of the life of someone who did everything to stay as low key as possible. He really showed the real heads in the dead scene how humility and not trying to be "the man" is what the real scene was about. It was a delicate, fantastic moment in time that was about the collective and not the self. He was a beacon of light that changed our world, and gave us a peak through the looking glass. There is one interview on YouTube from before he pass. one of only to video recordings of him speaking. the other was at Keasy's place and in that one he avoids the camera and is obviously uncomfortable. I urge you to watch them. thanks bear

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Much more than than a chemist

A look at a very complex man and explorer of the mind. Great book about times a lot of us like to remember.

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    5 out of 5 stars

inspiration moves me brightly! Time to wake up!

Loved it and revisited on a regular basis. great story. definitely worth checking out. Bear woke up a lot of people

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“A hero” Jerry Garcia

A phenomenal about an extraordinary life. I highly recommend this wonderful listen. Very well done.

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A historic glimpse of an amazing person in the 1960’s

Growing up in the 60s and personally knowing some of the people, places, and the times,( if you remember the 69s, you weren’t there), this audiobook filled in a lot of historical information. Well written and a story too incredible to be true, Owsley sparked a psychological movement that gave birth, well “juice” to the flower power, peace movement, music, and the awakening of a movement that now seems impossible in an age of no ethics, politicians who are bought and the environment is in dire need of another “spark”. R.I.P. Bear, and thanks for the memories.

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Changed my life, before it was ever written

so nice to actually learn about the time I've never known, but lived.

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Rock an Roll!!!

I would have loved to have gotten one of those belt buckles. Or anything he made really! Good book over all tho. 😵‍💫🤠😵‍💫💀

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Great Biography of Augustus Owsley Stanley III

the life story of one of the best sound producers
, jewelry makers, and acid cooks that ever lived.

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