Las Vegas Weekly

September 23, 2010 · 12:58 PM

Photos: Furthur brings The Grateful Dead’s music to The Joint

By Don Chareunsy

Furthur performs at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Sept. 22, 2010.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Hard Rock Hotel

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

The Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir brought Furthur, their newest band, to The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel last night to perform two classic sets of The Grateful Dead music, and contributing photographer Erik Kabik was on duty for all the classic rock action.

Kabik reported that the psychedelic godfathers of the 1960s Haight Asbury “Summer of Love” are still out on the road more than 40 years later and continue to perform dynamic shows that push the boundaries of improvisational jam music and keep the flame of The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia’s legacy burning brightly.

“The spirit of Jerry Garcia is alive and well in this band, and John Kadlecik of Dark Star Orchestra has a haunting resemblance in style and sound to Garcia and holds down the spot in the band with respect and honor to the late musical genius,” Kabik told Vegas DeLuxe. Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson round out Furthur’s lineup.

Last night’s show featured stellar performances of “Standing on the Moon, “Shakedown Street,” “Wharf Rat,” “Bertha,” “Darks Star” and “St. Stephen,” and the big surprise was a cover of the Pink Floyd song “Time” from Dark Side of the Moon.

The Joint was packed, and the crowd was on its feet dancing for the entire show . NBA legend and Dead Head Bill Walton towered above the crowd and danced throughout the show among his fellow Dead Heads.

“It really was something to see at The Joint. There is still nothing like a Grateful Dead show, but this sure felt close,” Kabik concluded.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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