I have to give an update to this post because things are getting very interesting. I’m streaming January 24, 1971 Seattle Center Arena, Soundboard from archive.org as I’m writing this. It has been decided that downloads of audience recordings and streams of soundboards will be made available on archive.org. A statement on archive.org’s website reads:
“We at archive.org now realize that our mistaken attempts to move quickly were based on what we thought the Grateful Dead wanted.
For this we apologize both to the Grateful Dead and their community.
There has been a great deal of reaction, our actions have caused more than necessary.”
Phil Lesh released a statement that indicates was not consulted about the decision to remove the shows from the archive:
“It was brought to my attention that all of the Grateful Dead shows were taken down from Archive.org right before Thanksgiving. I was not part of this decision making process and was not notified that the shows were to be pulled. I do feel that the music is the Grateful Dead’s legacy and I hope that one way or another all of it is available for those who want it . I have enjoyed using Archive.org and found it invaluable during the writing of my book. I found myself being pulled back in time listening to old Grateful Dead shows while giggling with glee or feeling that ache in my heart listening to Jerry’s poetic guitar and sweet voice.
We are musicians not businessmen and have made good and bad decisions on our journey. We do love and care about our community as you helped us make the music. We could not have made this kind of music without you as you allowed us to play “without a net”. Your love, trust and patience made it possible for us to try again the next show when we couldn’t get that magic carpet off the ground. Your concerns have been heard and I am sure are being respectfully addressed.”
Bob Weir indicated in this radio interview that the Grateful Dead are in danger of being sued by musicians whose music the Dead covered. I’m not sure that I completely belive his claim:
“We had to cover our asses. What they’re doing is illegal, unless there are arrangements made… particularly in the case of covers – other people’s material.
If we’re perceived to be distributing their songs without their agreenent, they have every right, and really and every obligation, to sue us…
We had to take it down. We had no choice. It’s archive.com’s [sic] job to make arrangements with the other people whose material… we’re playing, and then everything’s good….
Probably a lot of it is stuff that we intend to release in the future anyway.
We need revenue. Our music division needs revnue so we can digitize all of that stuff.
The ‘information wants to be free, man’ – those folks… this is not information, this is music. It’s kind of value-added information. Some people prefer to call it art….
We had to go ahead and do the right thing, and it upset some folks. I’m really sorry about that. So they started up a petition, a boycott, and all that kind of stuff. I really hope they can stick to their guns, and boycott us, and… seeya….”
John Perry Barlow, Bob Weir’s lyricist for the Grateful Dead unleashed this protest on BoingBoing blaming the drummers (I’m not sure if he means it figuratively or literally) :
“You have no idea how sad I am about this. I fought it hammer and tong, but the drummers had inoperable bricks in their head about it.
What’s worse is that they now want to remove all Dead music from the Web. They might as easily put a teaspoon of food coloring in a swimming pool and then tell the pool owner to get it back to them.
It’s like finding out that your brother is a child molester. And then, worse, having everyone then assume that you’re a child molester too. I’ve been called a hypocrite in three languages already.
How magnificently counter-productive of them. It’s as if the goose who laid the golden egg had decided to commit suicide so that he could get more golden eggs.
This is just the beginning of the backlash, I promise you.
This is worse than the RIAA suing their customers.”
This makes me think that the organization is much more divided these days than it has been in the past. How could Phil have not been notified, after all he is 1/4 of the band? I am very happy that they will be restoring the streams of the soundboards, but they still haven’t given the downloads of the soundboards back which they will surely be selling downloads. I truly hope that everybody wins here. I realize that the vault is the Grateful Dead’s legacy and I hope they prosper on a level that is satisfying to them, after all they dedicated their entire career to the dead. I will completely respect their decision to try and sell downloads of soundboards, but I wish they’d be more respectful and in communicado with their fans.
To end this post on a high note, check out the newly redesigned dead.net!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Just read your comment on David Gan’s blog and yes, I wish “they” (Bob?) would be a little more respectful. For me, that’s what it’s all about. I can buy the music I want to buy. But to break a 40 year contract with their fans in inexcusable. Bob came right out and said “We need the revenue”. It turns my stomach.
Peace…………