End of the Grateful Dead's "long, strange trip"
Fans of the Grateful Dead are flocking to Chicago to watch one of rock 'n' roll's most revered bands unite one last time, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.
The group's "core four" surviving members will play the final three shows in their 50-year history and more than 70,000 "Deadheads" are expected Friday night to kick off the legendary group's last concerts.
Half a century after they started, members of the Grateful Dead "just keep truckin' on."
"That's the magic of this music, it goes to all the generations," drummer Bill Kreutzmann said.
Kreutzmann was the drummer in 1965 when "The Dead" came alive. Now 69, he would be the first to acknowledge "what a long strange trip it's been."
"After the best shows I would go out and have the most outrageous time. People would ask me 'What events do you remember?' I would remember the events after the shows. They were extremely outrageous," he said. "The shows were extremely wonderful, but the energy doesn't stop when the show's over. The musicians feel like going out and doing stuff. That's where a lot of stories come from."
Their followers still recognize Kreutzmann, his fellow drummer Mickey Hart, bass guitarist Phil Lesh and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir.
But the biggest name in the band died 20 years ago. Jerry Garcia played his last concert in Chicago, which is why his bandmates agreed to make Soldier Field the last stop on the Fare Thee Well tour.
Two shows in Santa Clara, California, last weekend opened the tour with help from keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and Phish lead singer Trey Anastasio.
"The fans all knew the 50th anniversary was coming. The fans wanted something. It was the right thing to do and that this was the right way to do it," tour promoter Peter Shapiro said.
He said they thought the tour would be big, but didn't expect to perform at live concert venues around the country.
When CBS News stopped by, last-minute sound checks were underway on stage amid preparations for a worldwide pay-per-view, satellite radio and live streaming of the performances.
That's appropriate because the Grateful Dead was never a top 40 band, nor were they much of a studio band. Live performances are what made the magic for "Deadheads" of all ages.
"You know why? This style. It's the great American songbook. These are the songs people grew up with," Shapiro said.
In 1989 interview, Garcia spoke about those fiercely devoted fans.
"It's not like a showbiz audience. They come as much to be there and enjoy each other." he said. "The experience is still rewarding for them for reasons that may not have anything to do with music other than the reason of celebrating their own existence."
It went along with all the trademark jamming and improvisation. They never played songs the same way twice.
Kreutzmann said he savors his time in the band and has written a book called "Deal," about drumming, dreams and drugs.
"I was amazed that I could still remember so much. I feel blessed actually," Kreutzmann said. "You know, this is why: On a daily basis, especially around shows, fans will come up to me and say, 'You know Billy, you changed my life."
Kreutzmann said there will be a tear in his eye when the end comes.
"When you done far-out stuff with people, to all of a sudden say it's over is kind of sad," he said.