The Grateful Dead has many different 'icons' or symbols that most of us recognize even if we weren't huge fans of the band, such as me, (CANNOT stand Jerry Garcia) but one I just learned about that I like more than any of the others. I guess his most popular moniker was the 'Doodah Man'. The thing that sticks out in my mind the most when I think about the 'Dead' is the phrase "What a long, strange trip it's been."
The Doodah Man, was a character who, according to Robert Hunter, was inspired by the song "Camptown Races" by Stephen Foster, where the chorus line "Doodah” captures a rhythmic and catchy sound. The Doodah Man is portrayed as a drug dealer distributing "Do-Dah" or "Doodah" pills, likely amphetamines, which were common in the countercultural circles of the time.
The character evolved in the song ’Truckin’ reflects the band's events and challenges, including their infamous drug bust in New Orleans. This incident is vividly encapsulated in the line "Busted, down on Bourbon Street.”
Shakedown Dude - Doodah Man - Invisible Pimp - Grateful Dead
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