Lonnie Frazier as a 17-year-old accepted a lift from two high school boys that she knew but a lift to her car turned into a violent rape. Not having a trusting and loving home environment to heal in she accepted free tickets to a Grateful Dead concert in Colorado and headed off there with two friends on a journey that transformed her life in a Deadhead family from a life of fear into an accepting and trusting community.
She found salvation in the Deadhead community a travelling community of Grateful Dead fans that had their own lifestyle and community that resembled a caravan of gypsies following the band on their tour which became their own blueprint for life.
The documentary gives a perspective of the Deadheads as a trusting and safe community that saved Lonnie from a possible tragic end. Blind faith? Desperation? Hey if it isn’t broke no need to fix it.
Hear from Deadheads about how it was a unique community.
From a personal perspective I saw the Grateful Dead in I think 1973 at the PNE in Vancouver. I had a press pass so was invited to a backstage barbeque but I can’t recall much about that other than groupies, roadies and radio personalities. The concert was opened by Captain Beefheart and then the Grateful Dead for a nonstop awesome three-hour concert. The best live rock performance I have seen.
The question I ask was there real magic to this Deadhead community or was Lonnie at the right place at the right time? I suppose you as the viewer will have to decide that. But her involvement with the Deadheads was her salvation so who are we to criticize that?
A fascinating journey into the Deadhead community. You might call it a travelling Woodstock or Watkins Glen. An unconventional part of American history. An obsessive journey of a wounded soul or a movement with broader implications? Your choice.
Given the commentary of Deadheads the Deadhead community extends beyond Lonnie’s pain.
If only there was some Grateful Dead music in this documentary!
The film will be released on digital platforms as of May 3, 2022.
You can catch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/698791950/f29570d154
Directed by Lonnie Frazier.
RKS Film Rating 83/100.
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