TRIBUTE TO KEN KESEY: A CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Dear Friends,

After Jerry Garcia died, a Grateful Dead fanzine, Dupree's Diamond News, put together "GARCIA: A Grateful Celebration," a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to honor his life and music. It contained reflections from Ken Kesey, Wavy Gravy, Mountain Girl, Bear, David Crosby, Robert Hunter, John Barlow, Ram Dass, and a great many more, each reflecting in their own inimitable way about the effect that Jerry Garcia had on their lives. Ken Kesey made mention of the tribute as being the best he'd seen and I agree.

When I heard that Ken had passed away, I thought it would be fitting to create a similar tribute to honor his life and works. I contacted the creative directors that'd overseen much of the Garcia tribute and they responded by saying that they are interested in helping create such a tribute.

If anyone would like to offer artwork, anecdotes, or other reflections on the life and works of our beloved Prankster, please e-mail them here or snail mail to

Matthew Rick
PO Box 327
Rosendale, NY 12472
Please include a return address, so that I can return originals and send out contributor copies when the publication is complete.

Father, brother, grandfather, husband, neighbor, celebrated author, unapologetic iconoclast, folk hero, friend. Ken Kesey wore all these hats and more. He was a bright and shining spirit whose influence can be felt in many sectors of society and whose humor, charisma, strength, audacity and love will be felt for many years to come. Please join me in celebrating the many hats he wore and roles he played.

Kesey is quoted in the Garcia tribute as saying, "With Jed's death, what I finally came to grips with was that love and grief have to be united. You can't separate them. As soon as you really love somebody, at some point you're going to grieve. And that's why people move away from each other, so they don't have to be there to experience the loss."

The loss is great, but so is the opportunity for uniting love and grief. Whether you chose to participate in this project or not, know that many around the country are extending love, and comfort and understanding.

Be well.
Bright blessings,
Matthew Rick
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