The Wharf Rats

Welcome to the home of

Welcome Fellow Rats!

I am in the middle of redesigning this site.

You can navigate the rest of the site with
the links at the bottom of the page.

But I am taking the Next 2 weeks to use this page
as memorial to Jerry Garcia who passed away
August 9th, 1995.

Sorry but it takes about 3-4 min to load on a 56k connection

On another sad note
(this is turning into a miserable week)
We just received this sad news from the Grateful Dead Office:

"I met Dick Latvala in 1981, the new
Dead biographer meeting the
ultimate Dead Head. We both lucked
into our dreams of serving the Dead
cause, as historian and tape
archivist.
Dick fulfilled himself, and that is as
much as almost anyone can say for
themselves -- he fulfilled himself,
and he was loved. By his widow
Carol, by his son Richie, and by
many,. many loving friends. By
every Dead Head who ever listened
to a CD and appreciated his passion.
By the spirit of Pigpen and Jerry
that he joins.
Dick Latvala, Grateful Dead tape
archivist and Dead Head
extraordinaire, died today, August
6, 1999, at his home in Petaluma,
California. He was 56.
"May the four winds blow him safely
home." ("Franklin's Tower," by
Robert Hunter)"
Dennis McNally

Visit Dick's Tribute Page at
www.dead.net

Dick was sent on his way on a
river of white light and rock 'n roll.

A prayer for Latvala (Episcopalian version)








Heavenly Father, hear my prayer,


Don't call Latvala to you Holy Lair.


For tho he is not free from fault


There's much to be done in the Sacred Vault.








Faith of Our Fathers,Saints Pig & Jerome,


Don't yet call Latvala home.


We need his wisdom, judgement, ears,


To pluck the best music o'er the years.








And tho we may have lots of fun


Dancing to The Other Ones


We still need tapes from golden years


To help us through this veil of tears.








Hear our plea through claque and din


That newsgroup posters wallow in


If you call him now to Heaven,


Who will mix Cornell '77?








Dropping Dick six feet below


Think of shows we'll never know


Fillmore closings, Mountain View,


More from Europe '72








Spare him Lord.  What's the hurry?


I need that Garden show with David Murray!


Don't forsake us; we're not pagan


How bout April,Copenhagen.








And if his earthly toil is through


Will we ever hear 4-8-72?








Give us this day our daily bread.


And spare us from those that loathe the Dead


Please don't let Death cross Dick's door


Until he gets out 6-28-74








Lest Providence from that same tour


Be lost to us forevermore.


Killer Truckin' was really dope;


Forsake us not and leave us hope.








So keep Dick in your earthly plans


For those of us who can't get Gans


Render his health keen and peachy;


Return him to his Nakamichi.








Amen.


Now I lay my soul to rest.


I still like DP2 the best!

IT SEEMS DEATH HAS NO MERCY

Jerry Garcia 1942-1995

OUR LOVE WILL NEVER FADE AWAY

On August 13th, 1995 A memorial was held in the Polo Grounds
at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. I attended the whole day.
A day filled with sadness, loss, tears and joy as we celebrated the life of Jerry Garcia.
When the day was done and we headed home across the bay,
I was quiet and sad as reality had set in,
somehow I knew this was the end of our long strange trip.
Jerry was gone and the Dead was no more.
I was at a loss of words that night as I am as I type this.
But I went home that night and jotted down a few words and I thought I'd share them with you.

Man do I still miss that smile on stage.

Rest In Peace my friend, may we meet in the end.

Jerry
by Steve Enright

He left us in the night
A smile upon his face
Toward the 'white light'
To a better place.
As he meets his destiny
We celebrate his spirit
The man we knew as Jerry.
Listen and You can hear it
It sounds crisp and clear
The gift he left behind
Is the beauty you hear
Words and Music for the mind.
Celebrate his life and song
For He could not stay
Keep the faith and be strong
You know HIS love won't fade away.
8/13/95