Home Before Daylight

By Steve Parish & Joe Layden

Home Before Daylight - Steve Parish & Joe Layden
  • Release Date: 2004-10-01
  • Genre: Music
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 243 Ratings

Description

The untold story of life on the road with the Grateful Dead, written by an insider who lived it from the early days to today.

Steve Parish was never one to walk the straight-and-narrow, even during his childhood growing up in Flushing Meadow, Queens. Busted as a teenager for selling acid in the summer of 1968, Parish landed in Riker's Island. The experience changed him and after getting out he did his best to stay out of trouble, securing a job moving music equipment at the New York State Pavilion. The first show he worked was a Grateful Dead concert in July of 1969 and Parish was captivated by the music. A life seemingly headed nowhere had suddenly found its calling as he fell in quickly with a band of likeminded misfits who formed the nucleus of what would be the greatest road crew in rock 'n' roll history.

Parish traveled to California where his apprenticeship began. Working for the band for free and learning his craft, Parish got to know Jerry, Bobby, Phil, Billy and Mickey and through the years their relationships forged an unbreakable bond. He became very close with Garcia in particular, acting as his personal roadie and later manager for his solo performances and Garcia Band shows. He was there during times of trouble (like when a pimp held Garcia hostage at gunpoint in a New York hotel room), spending hours by his bedside when Garcia was in a coma in 1986, and performing the duties of best man at his wedding. He was also the last friend to see Garcia alive.

Throughout the Dead's historic run, there were parties of biblical proportion and celebrity run-ins with everybody from Bob Dylan to Frank Sinatra--but there was a dark side to life on the road and tragedy didn't just strike the musicians.

But Home Before Daylight is a story of friendship, of music and redemption. It is a piece of music history, one that reflects the American spirit of adventure and brotherhood. Seen through Steve Parish's eyes and experiences, The Grateful Dead's wild ride has never been so revealing.

Reviews

  • Big Steve is a great storyteller…

    5
    By sconniedave
    ….and I enjoyed his book. If you are a fan of the Dead, and interested in learning more about the Dead, then you will most likely enjoy this book. Nice job, Steve!
  • Honest and sobering

    4
    By Caltoma
    A must for Deadheads like me. Revealing, period-centered, honest and sobering.
  • Horrible

    1
    By eric53211
    A terribly written book about a guy who's life was not nearly as interesting as he thinks it was. For a guy who was supposedly Jerry Garcia's best friend, he sure doesn't provide a lot of insight or new stories. He put Garcia on the cover, uses a Hunter/Garcia lyric for the title, yet pretty much writes about himself and his gang bangs.
  • Home Before Daylight

    5
    By AlRW3
    Great book capturing an amazing run. I think Steve told an authentic and candid tale of a band of gypsies that captured our hearts and souls. Thank you....for a real good time.God bless!
  • Home Before Daylight

    5
    By Lost Sailor Steve Y
    Steve parish opened doors and windows into the world of the Grateful Dead and the surroundings. I had a problem putting the book down. The stir rise were gripping and touching.
  • I had a blast

    5
    By Jblack1313
    Reading this and u will too!
  • Home Before Daylight

    5
    By Dr. Buzz VonJellar
    Easy, insightful story. Actually, this is how stories ought to be told. Steve is honest and respectful. Must read for Dead Heads K Hamilton
  • Beautiful

    5
    By Ian mirmel
    Written with honesty and love.
  • Forever grateful

    5
    By deg-1
    Wow..what a great find and enlightening book...a very well told story about a legendary band and man who helped so many people get in tune with themselves and live the dream in a dream!i never got to see the man, Jerry Garcia play, but have seen all the side projects except Billy's 7walkers, and this book really showed me all I missed. I know Jerry lives on thru all of us and the music he made...and I miss him dearly and pray he is well!thanks mr. Parish for writing such a novel! I very much enjoy the stories and heart you put down in words like a song...! We now have the furthur band, which Jerry would have loved and lets see if another reunion by all members can happen soon for some special occasion!(~);} "once in awhile you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right"peace
  • Great Read into the inside of the Dead

    5
    By Billy Ribs
    This book was a great read into providing another angle into the band life of the Grateful Dead and the inner workings of how the operated.