Word for word: Fans rejoice over Dead's resurrection

Jerry Garcia died in 1995. But for thousands of his fans, the music never stopped. They're still trading Grateful Dead tapes, reciting 30-year-old set lists and swapping stories about those hazy days of driving their VW microbuses from one packed parking lot to another.

Most remaining members of the Grateful Dead have their own bands now, and their concerts are crowded with aging hippies and young hipsters. Other jam bands such as Phish, Widespread Panic and String Cheese Incident also attract tie-dyed throngs and twirling dancers. But for truly devoted Deadheads, these scenes just aren't the same.

People have been pining for a reunion of the remaining members of the Dead for years. On dozens of Internet chatrooms, Deadheads hope and speculate and circulate rumors that "the other ones" will get back together. Then, last week, the much-awaited announcement arrived.

The long strange trip isn't over yet . . . .

Following are excerpts from www.philzone.org, a Web site for fans of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh.

-- LANE DeGREGORY, Times staff writer

Tuesday, May 21, 2002, 8:52 a.m.: Almost seven years to the day after the Grateful Dead's last show ever, all surviving members of the original band -- Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir -- will reunite as the Other Ones for Terrapin Station, a Grateful Dead Family Reunion. Taking place Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wis., Terrapin Station will not only mark the first time all four members are performing together since 1995, it will also celebrate the music, art, and culture of the Grateful Dead.

"The musicians that created Grateful Dead along with their fans helped give birth to a family and community that has no equal in the history of modern music; when they join forces for Terrapin Station it promises to be the only family reunion that no one will want to miss," Phil Lesh commented.

The ticket price for Terrapin Station will be $44.50 per day . . . plus applicable surcharges. . . . Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster beginning Saturday, June 8.

Art matthies, 8:53 a.m.: HELL YES.

Country Bo, 9:04 a.m.: Am I dreaming?

GCarlin, 9:06 a.m.: Send that bus to the east coast Please!!!!!

Katiebug, 9:41 a.m.: Oh man, I wish I'd never left the midwest . . .

Art matthies, 9:45 a.m.: Katie . . . don't go that far. It sucks here. But every now and then we get a little perk. This is the biggest one in a while.

Zenzen, 12 p.m.: Yes!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for it to be official.

Brad Snyder, 12:35 p.m.: Back on the road again . . .

Art matthies, 1:55 p.m.: So psyched about this. My whole day has been charged. Ready to get tickets . . . bring on the mail order. :)

iannai, 4:26 p.m.: No camping??

Art matthies, 4:33 p.m.: Don't know if they mean on-site camping at Alpine . . . or camping in the entire area. Where the hell do they expect all the people to go? . . . Word of caution though, Furtherfest 98 at Alpine I showed up expecting camping like it was for deadshows and it wasn't. There was an ordinance prohibiting private farms to allow camping without a permit. I had to sleep in my truck on the side of some back country road.

Pinman, 4:41 p.m.: I camped in a corn field back in the '80s for shows. Being a grown-up now though I just booked a motel room in the nearby town of Delavan. Couldn't find a darn thing closer. Midwest in August? I want a shower & AC.

Kelly, 4:57 p.m.: Check Richard M. Bong State Park . . . Yes, it's true . . . Bong State rec area . . . primitive camping if I can remember right . . . I got an R.V. w/the amenities . . . so tapers . . .

Mrs. PPhunk, 5:35 p.m.: While I will miss the event, there's good cause: Reggae on the River in Humboldt County. Hmmm, I can already smell it . . .

Jeff D, 9:44 p.m.: Alpine, woo hoo. Where is the LOVE? You'd think the board would be all a-chatter over this thing. Perhaps the Left Coasters are depressed that, for once, we Midwest types are getting something groovy and they aren't. At least till the Oregon show comes together. You East Coast people will just have to deal . . . If you ask me, it's gonna be massive -- finally one lead guitar . . . if Bobby plays along. . . . It's gonna be the key event of the summer.

rastafari, Wednesday, 7:53 a.m.: THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME. I just found out that my fiance will be away that weekend, so I can go. THANKS BABY!!!

Green Destiny, 9:04 a.m.: WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! This is gonna be SWEEEEEEEET!!!!! Going up with a great group of friends, camping at a campground in Delavan, has a bar and a restaurant, showers . . . word is getting out real quick. D-Mamma, are you bringing your kids?? Do you have to get tix for them? I may be bringing mine if we don't get a babysitter that weekend.

Brian Sullivan, 9:33 a.m.: Man I hope they do a short tour! For the first time in my life I have enough time & money to go do a European vacation . . . tickets bought and paid for (non-refundable) last month . . . and then the event I have been waiting 7 years for is announced to occur while I'm overseas! Sigh.

John, 10:09 a.m.: Where'd you book to stay, Brian?

Brian K, 10:40 a.m.: Delavan Super 8. Saturday was booked so I got Fri. and Sun.

Art matthies, 11:26 a.m.: I am booked at the Develan 8 as well. Reserved my room yesterday.

GCarlin, 11:32 a.m.: Damn all you hotel jockies. Don't you want to relive the sweaty, smelly days of yesteryear?

Brian K, 12:47 p.m.: If they were allowing camping on site, different story. But if I have to