When I was 17, a year older than him. We lived in neighboring towns, went to rival high schools. He was adopted by a wealthy family in Atherton. He followed Garcia like a groupie. Jerry played acoustic blues and folk at a Palo Alto club called the Tangent at the University Avenue circle. Get it, Tangent. Downstairs they served beer. Upstairs not. Just hot spiced apple cider. Saw Garcia there many times, Weir often in audience. Bob liked to pretend he was poor. Faded Levi's, We used to give him shit as he walked along El Camino Real.

Later we kinda grew up. Him too. Couple years later he joined the Warlocks. Changed the name to the Grateful Dead.

RIP, neighbor.