You know what they say: “Don’t read the books if you don’t want to know.”

OK, I’ve never heard anyone actually say that, but I’ve been reading a lot of Grateful Dead material lately. I read Phil Lesh’s book, then Billy’s book, and now I’m reading Garcia: An American Life. Anyway, Billy’s book left me conflicted. On one hand, you read the book to hear the thoughts of the people involved, and then sometimes you’re sorry you did.

But whatever I may have thought of the book of the personality Billy projected through it, he has been behind the drumkit for some of my most favorite music ever. Bill Kreutzmann recently celebrated his 75th birthday with a string of three live-streamed show with his band Billy and the Kids. Two of those shows have appeared at the Live Music Archive and are definitely worth your time and I wish him nothing but the best and I wish everyday was Bill Kreutzmann’s birthday, because all of this is great.

As if Billy on drums, Reed Mathis on bass and Billy Strings wasn’t enough, how about saxophone?! No? Still not enough? How about appearances from Santana?! If that’s not enough, you’re in the wrong place. Anyway, here’s the two live sets from the Archive and some videos that I’ve been hanging out with.

Billy and the Kids (05/07/21):

Billy and the Kids (05/08/21):

Players:

• Aron Magner – Keyboards, Vocals

• Bill Kreutzmann – Drums

• Billy Strings - Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals

• James Casey - Sax

• Reed Mathis – Bass, Vocals

• Tom Hamilton – Guitar, Lead Vocals

As if all of that goodness wasn’t already enough, THERE’S VIDEO!

"Mississippi Half-Step"

“Help on The Way" and more”

“China Cat Sunflower”

“Tangled up In Blue”

Billy & The Kids ft. Carlos Santana, Billy Strings - "Scarlett Begonia's" and "Iko "Iko"

“Ripple”