Justin Adler

San Francisco, night 3/3. This music has made me a better player, and this band made me a better person. I was given the opportunity of a lifetime - to have access to the greatest songbook in modern music, and the deepest well of life memories shared by hundreds of thousands of Deadheads who extended their grace and acceptance to me. I learned to compromise, and to take other people’s chances along with them. I learned to play in real time, to express myself without the distraction of ambition or expectation. I learned to listen, to have musical conversation, and most importantly, to be a part of something much bigger than myself. It was never about me. It was bout “it” - that spirit that a band and a crowd could go looking for together. If I’ve done my job right, I’ll disappear into that beautiful tapestry, the one that began almost 60 years ago and will continue to expand for lifetimes to come. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for embracing me and my place in this band, and to Bob, Mickey, and Billy - I’ll never be able to fully express my gratitude for your taking a chance on me. Something magical happened on this tour, and I don’t think any of us saw it coming. @deadandcompany is still a band - we just don’t know what the next show will be. I speak for us all when I say that I look forward to being shown the next shaft of light… I know we will all move towards it together. This band changed my life, and I love you all for it. An incredible tour, an unforgettable ride, and a beautiful world of memories to visit. I’ll be seeing you…. ⚡️♥️⚡️ 

📸: @jayblakesberg and Joshua Hitchens