Just before the 1995 summer tour, Garcia finally seemed to recognize the need for real change and agreed to Dr. Randy Baker’s proposal of entering an intensive drug treatment program after the tour. Jerry followed through on his promise and was admitted to the Betty Ford Clinic in July. After two weeks, he had been weaned off heroin but was in extreme physical discomfort. Now completely drug-free, he was finally, and painfully, aware of how he had ravaged his body. Claiming he was unhappy with the medical attention he was receiving at the Ford Clinic, Garcia checked himself out in time to celebrate his 53rd birthday on August 1. He immediately indulged himself with one last weekend fling of heroin use before admitting himself to the Serenity Knolls treatment center in Forest Knolls. There, early on the morning of August 9, Garcia died in his sleep of a heart attack. The contributory causes were severe blockages in three of his four major arteries, the lingering effects of his recent heroin use, and sleep apnea. “The other side will have its way,” said John Barlow upon learning of Garcia’s passing. “If you’re going to manifest a lot of light, someone’s got to pay the bill.” A few weeks after Garcia’s death, the remaining members of the Dead met and wisely elected to call it a day and not dilute their legacy, retiring the name Grateful Dead, according to a band press release, “out of our love and respect for what we created together.” -- Aces Back To Back: The History of the Grateful Dead (1965 - 2014), page 136. Photo below of Jerry at Disneyland courtesy of Manasha Garcia. Ms. Garcia has graciously agreed to share some of her private photos of her family life with Jerry and their daughter Keelin with us, which will be posted here shortly. Our biography is the most detailed and concise history of the Grateful Dead ever written, and is updated through January, 2014. We are blessed to have a Foreword from Grateful Dead lyricist and renowned civil libertarian John Perry Barlow. Author Scott W. Allen recounts the group's history from their earliest roots -- the 1960 meeting of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter -- and takes you right up to the Furthur concerts in Riviera Maya, Mexico this past January, 2014. Few moments in the Dead's history in-between are missed. Mr. Allen wrote for Relix Magazine from 1983 until 1992, serving as a Senior Writer, columnist ("Fragments"), and feature article writer. In his articles during 1989-90, he notably championed the cause of bringing to justice the murderer(s) of Deadhead Adam Katz. Scott is a veteran of nearly 250 Grateful Dead concerts and has also taught on the high school and college levels for 27 years. Our book is 8.25 x 11 in size and contains 178 pages. The cover is drawn by acclaimed poster artist Steve Johannsen (Furthur, Gov't Mule, etc.) and the interior features 18 original illustrations by Steve and the gifted Lauren Kroutil. Aces Back to Back is available on both Amazon.com ($14.97) and Barnes&Noble.com ($15.08) at great discounted prices !! Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Aces-Back-History-Grateful-Anniversary/dp/1478719435/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391925722&sr=8-1&keywords=Aces+Back+to+Back%3A+The+History+of+the+Grateful+Dead Barnes&Noble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aces-back-to-back-scott-w-allen/1118597818?ean=9781478719434 You can also purchase signed and numbered copies directly from the author ($22, U.S. -- shipping inc; or $31, International -- shipping inc.), who will gladly personalize your books, at: Scott Allen, 108 Paradise Harbour Blvd, Box 405, North Palm Beach, FL. 33408-5047. Cash, MO, or check (payable to: Scott Allen), please. Will ship immediately via 2-3 day USPS Priority Mail. The eBook edition will sell for $9.99 in all versions: Barnes and Noble NOOK, Apple iPad, or Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Aces-Back-History-Grateful-Dead-ebook/dp/B00IIS4H9Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1392880939&sr=8-2&keywords=aces+back+to+back+the+history+of+the+grateful+dead It will also be available via any Expresso Book Machine. Additionally, you can buy it on eBay: http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbay&gbh=1&CurrentPage=MyeBayAllSelling&ssPageName=STRK%3AME%3ALNLK%3AMESX Please support Deadheadland !! The ISBN number is: 978-1-4787-1943-4. Tagged ...
