Grateful Dead Retired- After beginning with a bang during the music revolution of the ‘60s, the Grateful Dead continued to influence psychedelic rock well into the flannel-laden ‘90s. While we sorely miss them, their imprint remains.
A documentary available now on Netflix is here to keep it that way. Centered around Bob Weir, the founder of the Grateful Dead, Mike Fleiss’ The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir explores the band’s intricacies and relation to the music of their time.
The Grateful Dead Legacy
Founded by 16-year-old Bob Weir in 1965, the Grateful Dead didn’t just play rock and roll. They became instantly known for their creative fusion of the genre with folk, bluegrass, jazz, and avant-garde. The band’s visuals during live performances created a new experience for “Deadheads,” some of whom were well-known for following the band from show to show as they toured throughout the country. This enthusiastic dedication lasted for decades until the band entirely disbanded in 1995, following the death of beloved member Jerry Garcia.
Exploring the Brain of Bob Weir
If you’d ask his friends, Bob Weir “doesn’t have an ego,” which could explain his focus on living to the fullest and accepting the strange. Even according to him, the man has led a “kind of unusual life.” Is that an understatement? What was it really like? In interviews, Weir explains the world he experienced throughout the ‘60s, the ’70s, and all the way up to the mid-’90s. As he says, it was an “amazing adventure.” Watch The Other One to hear about those adventures told by the very man himself who lived through them.
The Grateful Dead’s Daily Life Explained
How do you start your day? As Bob Weir shares, the band members “Got a cup of kool-aid for a buck and took LSD, and we plugged in, and we played.” That’s not the only crazy tidbit you’ll hear about the band’s career. Did you know they first debuted under the name “Grateful Dead” with not just a show but by playing at the first public Acid Test thrown by infamous psychedelic-promoting author Ken Kesey? It’s accurate, not to mention the promiscuous past you can guess the group would have.
What the Critics Are Saying
According to Rosy the Reviewer, the reviews have spoken, “If you are a Deadhead, you will definitely want to see this film.” The Hollywood Review has also chimed in on the documentary, saying, “[It contains] fascinating archival footage, copious musical performances and extensive interviews with Weir….” If you want to decide for yourself, you’ll just have to see it yourself.
Conclusion
The Grateful Dead may be no more, but their history will live on throughout the decades. While many documentaries detail the legacy of the Grateful Dead, The Other One is unique in delving into information and vintage films of Grateful Dead performances from the undeniably good ol’ days. If you’re in the same boat and mourn the loss of the band itself and one of its adored members, you can find comfort in this heart-touching film.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I watch The Other One?
The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir was released after filmmaker Mike Fleiss teamed up with Netflix. Fleiss has felt that partnership has worked out well, telling reporter Andy Kahn, “With Netflix, we have found the perfect global partner to tell the fascinating life story of Bob Weir set against the backdrop of America’s greatest rock band.” However, as of now, there are a few options for watching The Other One:
- Netflix
- iTunes
- Vudu
Either way, if you want to watch The Other One, you’ll likely need to pay for it.
- When was The Other One released?
The film was released in April 2014 and was largely met with glowing reviews. The documentary, created by Mike Fleiss, was an adventure digging deep into the past. The producer and writer stated, “We certainly unearthed a lot of buried treasure from the Grateful Dead archive while making this film.” The partnership with Netflix worked out as well. According to Mike, telling reporter Andy Kahn, “With Netflix, we have found the perfect global partner to tell the fascinating life story of Bob Weir set against the backdrop of America’s greatest rock band.” However, as of now, there are a few options for watching The Other One:
- What is The Other One’s rating?
While The Other One is a great film, it is also a mature one. The documentary is rated R for the following content:
- Drug Content Throughout
- Some Graphic Nudity
- Language
This film is not appropriate for children. The Grateful Dead were a rowdy band that lived unconventional lives, and The Other One is honest about showing the authentic experiences they had. Therefore, this film is not for everyone.
- What should I know before watching The Other One?
To reiterate, know that this film absolutely is about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. But what else would you expect from the Grateful Dead? The Other One is also 3hr 58m long, so try to make sure you have the four hours free; you’ll be able to truly focus on a fascinating film.
