Deal

My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead

By: Bill Kreutzmann, Benjy Eisen

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

On their 50th anniversary comes a groundbreaking rock-and-roll memoir by one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead.

The Grateful Dead are perhaps the most legendary American rock band of all time. For 30 years, beginning in the hippie scene of San Francisco in 1965, they were a musical institution, the original jam band that broke new ground in so many ways. From the music to their live-concert sound systems and fan recordings, they were forward-thinking champions of artistic control and outlaw artists who marched to the beat of their own drums.

Bill Kreutzmann, one of their founding members and drummer for every one of their over 2,300-odd concerts, has written an unflinching and wild account of playing in the greatest improvisational band of all time. Everything a rock music fan would expect is here, but what sets this apart is Bill's incredible life of adventure, which was at the heart of the Grateful Dead experience. This was a band that knew no limits, and Bill lived life to the fullest, pushing the boundaries of drugs, drums, and high times, through devastating tragedy and remarkable triumph.

But at this book's beating heart is the music - theirs and others. Some of the greatest musicians and concerts were a part of the Grateful Dead's career, from sharing the stage with Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and the Who, to playing in the Acid Tests, the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock, and Altamont. Bill's life is a chronicle of American music and pop-culture history, and his epic personal journey is one of sonic discovery and thrilling experiences.

©2015 Bill Kreutzmann (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Even If Your Not Into The Grateful Dead.

Where does Deal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I read mostly biographies of Rock N Roll Legends. I am a light Grateful Dead fan. It didn't' matter. Its a great perspective to a very talented drummer from start to current. What makes these books great is how honest the writer is.

What other book might you compare Deal to and why?

I would compare this to any other Rock N Roll biography.

What does Peter Berkrot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He represented well of what Bill could sound like it. Sort of wild and biker guy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure

Any additional comments?

Great book, I would recommend it.

Thank you Bill for sharing your wonderful story with us all.

Fabulous!!!!! What a wonderful peak into the past of the Dead! Thank you for a great history lesson.

good listen

I really enjoyed this book a bout bill and the Dead it had some really good information about the bands history

a long strange trip in the best way

I have listened to the book multiple times. This book is fantastic and I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys history or just a great adventure with rock and roll legends.

Great Book! Highly recommend

I’m a big deadhead and this was an awesome account of the life and times of the drummer Bill who lays it all out very honestly and completely. In addition, several of his stories let me to listen to certain live shows by his recommendation Of remembering what great shows they were.

A completely different viewpoint from other Grateful Dead books

Being a drummer myself, listening to Bill’s book is something I should have done long ago. Hands down, he’s one of my drumming heroes. I haven’t had the chance to meet him, yet, but he has played in bands with 2 of my friends; Scott Murawski and Todd Stoops. Truth be told, I’m one of the drummers Bill talks about when he talks about musicians who play GD music, except we don’t try to play the music the way the GD played it. We make it our own. I digress, if you’re looking to read/listen to a book about the Grateful Dead, this is the book for you. It’s from the viewpoint of someone who was in the band, not someone who was friends with the band or knows all about the band. There are plenty of books out there like that. This one is in a class of its own. Bravo Bill!

Ultimate Detailed Grateful Dead History

I didn't have great expectations for this book but was pleasantly surprised. For all his drug taking and partying, Bill Kreutzmann must have been keeping an excellent journal over the years. Very comprehensive history of the Dead chronicling many interesting and surprising stories about their escapades. All told in chronological order from the origins in the 60's to Jerry's death in 1994 and beyond. The history of the Dead is the history of many of us who were members of the counterculture at any time from the 60's through the 90's. A very enjoyable and engrossing story. The narrator sounds just like you think Bill Kreutzmann would sound--a crusty old cosmic cowboy.

Bill's a Cool Cat

A pretty good insight into B.K.'s life and times from a quieter member of the band. Don't necessarily agree with all his opinions, but he's definitely one to be respected.

Great book Horrible narration

I hate to put anyone down but this narrator has no feel for this material. Listen to Bill speak in interviews- they are worlds apart. Mr Berkrot has a cloying, put on sound that seems to be totally uninformed of the soulfulness and artistry of his subject. It's so bad that it's laughable and sort of fun to listen to. Bill really dropped the ball on this project- he should have read it himself.

great history

would have been easy to tell other people's views in this but he kept to his own insights .keep going see ya at the next one