UPDATE [12/17 1:30 PM]: Bob Weir has shared a personal note, reflecting on the loss of his former manager.
Well, OK, our old friend Rock has moved on. *Way* more than nine lives, by my count.
Where to begin? When last we spoke, he was as full of wonder and curiosity as when we first met him back at the Acid Test. His mischievous sense of adventure made him a perfect candidate for the position of manager for a band with similar sensibilities and and an equally similar disregard for the way things were supposed to be done.
We bowled ahead and made history together, – the kind people write books and make movies about. Rock was a BIG part of it all. He put in the miles with us. He knew the words to all the songs. He knew the right things to say, to tell people, to let them know what we were all about without ever actually explaining anything, because he knew it couldn’t be explained.
What a guy.
Vaya con Dios, Rock, we’ll be catching up…
Cheers,
Weir
*****
Rock Scully, the manager of the Grateful Dead from 1965-1985, has unfortunately passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 73.
Scully’s life and experiences were documented in Living With The Dead, which was released in 1995. In it, Scully talks about discovering the Dead at one of Ken Kesey’s acid tests in San Francisco, and helping the band get signed to gigs at venues like The Fillmore. Considering the band’s success from 1965 through 1985, it’s safe to say that Scully was a truly devoted manager for the iconic group.
The news of his passing was shared by his ex-wife, Nicki Scully, who wrote: “Rock Scully crossed the great divide this morning. I got the call he was passing just as I was about to load up the car for a visit to Monterey to see him. Those of you lucky enough to have known him know that despite his human frailties, he was a loving, gentle, bright (actually brilliant), handsome, witty and especially charming rogue who brought people together, made them laugh and grow, and had a huge, generous heart.”
Lyricist John Perry Barlow has shared his sentiments online.
Alas, Rock #Scully… I thought your earlobe-spraining grin of enthusiasm would suffice to keep you up and cracking wry no matter the R.I.P.
— John Perry Barlow (@JPBarlow) December 17, 2014
RIP Mr. Scully. L4LM sends our best to Scully’s loved ones during this difficult time.