In this episode of Tales From The Green Room - mixed with joyous reflection, levity, and emotion - drummer extraordinaire Danny Luehring discusses the origins and evolution of Danny's Live Dead, a weekly Grateful Dead show hosted by him every Wednesday at Peri’s Tavern in Fairfax, California. Danny shares insights into how the show started after the closure of Phil Lesh's beloved Terrapin Crossroads, the challenges and rewards of curating a rotating lineup of musicians, and the significance of community and chemistry in live music.
The hosts delve into Danny's musical background, memorable moments from his performances at Terrapin with his band, San Geronimo, and his first time playing with Phil Lesh, as he lauds the lasting impact of the Terrapin era. The conversation highlights the magic of live music, the depth of the Grateful Dead's influence, and Danny's future aspirations for his musical endeavors.
HIGHLIGHTS
You see all the people that you know are ready for it and that trust you. That’s the chemistry, too. I mean, chemistry, community…all those things. You can just line it up just right. And every night's different, but, my thing is I want it to be fucking amazing every night!
I think music is a dimension. I don't know how else to explain it. Music is such a unit, like a dimension…the way it affects people, in general, like a blanket, on people, it just makes me feel like it's gotta be bigger than we think. And the Dead is probably one of the things that really got me thinking about that.
My dad played guitar and I wanted to be a guitar player. So, for my fifth birthday he bought me an electric guitar and I remember it was at a costume party and I was dressed as a Denver Bronco and I put this thing on, and I broke the high string and it snapped back and hit me. And I thought it shocked me. 'cause it was an electric guitar. I mean, I was five. I was just like, oh my God. Drumsticks, please!
Terrapin for me was something that a hundred percent changed my direction in life. I wasn't a Deadhead.I literally knew like two Dead songs. The first time I played at Terrapin I just kind of had to learn under fire. It is not like I didn't know who the Dead were, and they were obviously on my radar, I just wasn't, I wasn't ready until I I was in those circumstances. And then just in that… I don't know, it's hard to explain what happened.
~Danny Luehring
LINKS
Danny’s Live Dead
Danny’s Live Dead Presents GD60! After Parties
The Balboa - August 1, 2, 3, 2025
https://www.terrapincrossroads.net/
SHOWS
Danny’s Live Dead Presents GD60! After Parties - Balboa Theater
3630 Balboa St., San Francisco
August 1, 2, 3, 2025 - 10:30PM
Terrapin Road Shows
Forest Meadows Amphitheatre - San Rafael, CA - July 18 (w/San Geronimo), 19, 20, (w/ Danny Luehring) 2025 SOLD OUT
Truckee Amphitheater - Truckee, CA August 17, 2025 - TICKETS
MUSIC
Tiny Television (band) - "Carolina"
MoniterLizard YouTube Channel
https://youtu.be/_hOXYKLpXIg?si=ETYYfw_0HJ9pytlo
San Geronimo @ Terrapin Crossroads on 10/9/14 ~ "Hear the Sound"
Eric Finkelman YouTube Channel
https://youtu.be/9JmG2vyzNJE?si=IOLjqKvmZ1I8YbJY
Danny’s Live Dead” - Garrett Deloian, Grahame Lesh, Brian Rashap & Danny Luehring "Bird Song," Papermill Creek Saloon, 4/10/24
Dreamlion YouTube Channel
https://youtu.be/fgT17eMOkSs?si=BnFWE9-L0lUYn9Hg
Grahame Lesh and Alex Koford
Jupiter and Mercury
Jan. 20, 2024 HopMonk Tavern Novato
https://youtu.be/ddSVxM9O8G0?si=GEJmVG-J2stAfJW1
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