Owsley "Bear" Stanley - 1935-2011
I met Owsley at the age of eighteen. I had just left home, having run off with a Rock&Roll band. Bear, as we knew him, was one of my all-time biggest influences. Always, when I think of him, I think of the endless stuff he taught me or somehow made me realize, all stuff that I've been able to use to the benefit of countless people who probably don't know much about him or how deeply he influenced me and the rest of the band. Most important was the approach he taught me and us: Always be open and engaging - always critical and questioning, but not negatively so much as playfully. He taught me to take myself and my interests out of the picture and work with the subject under consideration so that the best deductions or conclusions are made. I guess this means working from the point of view of the higher self, though that term never came up; it was always just assumed...
-Bob Weir
He certainly had a full - but odd - life. Spinning Bear's Choice today in memory.
How do you sum up what we owe him? Peace on your journey, brother - the final trip.
Thank you Mr Weir for sharing. Still learning from him :) thank you Oroboros for posting phils comments. Reminds me of what this is all about.
And he changed my, life.his little brother was the drummer for my band.We used to rehurse at his house up at Paradise estates in Lagunitas.
I will always remember him as my friend.Tought me a lot.
Take good care brother Bear...
My deep sadness only reinforces how important Bear and his life work was/is to me. Long live the legacy of the Alchemist of Our Age!
The faster we go the rounder we get!
Tonight Leary, Kesey, Garcia, and Bear get God to turn off and tune in.
I am crushed. A mentor and hero for sure. I always felt comforted knowing Bear was out there.....somewhere.....working on something......
Thanks for turning us on Brother. You & Jerry got some things to talk about.......
another one gone..............rest well, Bear...tell Jerry we said hey....
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He had such a profound influence on so many of us. His spirit lives on in all of us and through the music he is so connected to.
Peace.
Location
if the thunder dont get ya....