MUSIC
What is a ‘Deadhead’? Why is it trending and what does it have to do with Bill Walton?
The California formed Grateful Dead were massively popular group in the 1960s and famed for a unique eclectic style of music which fused elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass and rock and roll.
A long time before we had fanatical Taylor Swift fans, aka ‘Swifties’ the original ardent devout group of fans were the ‘Deadheads’. Legions of fans who worshipped the Palo Alto formed band who would travel from town to town to see Jerry Garcia’s Grateful Dead in action.
Swapping tapes of live recordings was a popular activity among ‘Deadheads’ and actively encouraged by the band with fans drawn to the culture around the group due to the sense of community that the band’s shows tended to foster.
Deadheads came from all walks of life as many attempted to reproduce the aesthetics and values of the 1960s counterculture and were often stigmatized in the media as nothing more than hippies.
Bill Walton famous ‘Deadhead’
The world of basketball was in morning on Monday with the news that Bill Walton had passed away at the age of 71 after losing his battle against cancer.
Walton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, who he led to their only NBA championship in 1976-77. Named the league MVP in 1977-78 and the Sixth Man of the Year in 1985-86, he added a second ring as a member of the 1985-86 Boston Celtics.
Before making the move to the NBA, Walton was a UCLA student and an ardent Grateful Dead fan and followed the band as the toured around the country.
Later in life, as he embarked on a media career, the older Walton was often spotted wearing the iconic tie-dyed t-shirt, synonymous with Deadheads and appeared on radio specials celebrating and extolling the virtues of being a “Deadhead.”
NBA tribute
NBA commissioner Adam Silver paid a moving and personal tribute to Walton calling the Hall of Famer as ‘one of a kind’.
“Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events - always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth”.
Upon the news of his death, all three: Bill Walton, Grateful Dead and Deadheads were trending in the US.