Brent Mydland Gravesite

Brent Mydland was an American keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter. He was a member of The Grateful Dead from 1979 to 1990, a longer tenure than any other keyboardist in the band. (Wikipedia)

Grave marker of Brent Mydland, as of 09/18/2019)

The grave marker reads (in all caps):

Brent R. Mydland 

He loved his family 

His Music 

And 

His Friends
1952  (grand piano embossment)  1990

The grand piano embossment has a bench and a raised piano lid.

The grave has had a Grateful Dead "Steal Your Face Skull" sticker below the embossed grand piano since at least 2015 (per David Ryder; see below).

The plaque border looks to have six stems of roses and leaves: two centered on the top, and two each in the lower-left and lower-right corners.

For those who wish to visit, here is a Google Maps link (Plus Code: "WVXV+2J Pleasant Hill, California") to a marker close to the grave site.

You can just drive in the front gate. Make your way up, up, up the hill. I parked nearby, on the shoulder of the drive. Traffic was light on a Wednesday afternoon.

The Google Maps link is not precise but it should be close enough to find it. The grave marker is near a large tree with a bench with the name Richardson on it. The tree has a retaining wall on one side (see image below). Put your back to the tree and bench and walk forward, following the line of grave markers, being careful not to step on them. I think the grave was 20-30 feet away and one row down. Look for the gravesite with the double grave plaque and flower urn (see image below). It's not hard to find once you're close. David Ryder's YouTube video below shows some additional clues, if needed. In 2015, it seemed to have a LED path light, but that was gone when I visited on 09/18/2019.

The views of the hilly terrain are beautiful.

Screenshot of map with marker:

It's near the top (red marker)

Here's David Ryder's video which helped me find the grave (if you're eagle eyed, you can spot several reference points: the building to the left, the flagpole, the retaining wall, etc.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_rpVu1zrTA

My parking location vs. tree and bench (grave is nearby, in the opposite direction of this photograph)

Grave site 

Brent had a distinctive singing voice. I really enjoy the song, "I Will Take You Home". 

St. Stephen: Elevator Bell

This May 28, 2019 GQ article on Bob Weir (by Brett Martin) states:

I later went to meet Weir in Nashville, I became half-convinced that the elevator chime in my hotel consisted of the opening chords to “St. Stephen.” And why not? Elevator sound designers have pasts, too.

Yes! I've had this thought in the back of my head for months now. 

I think the opening note is F#.

Ripple

Getting the feels from "Ripple" (10/31/80 - Radio City Music Hall) by the Grateful Dead, especially the last lines:

If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music
Would you hold it near as it were your own? 

It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better left unsung
I don't know, don't really care
Let there be songs to fill the air 

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow 

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men 

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone 

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow 

You who choose to lead must follow
But if you fall you fall alone
If you should stand then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way I would take you home 

Songwriters: Jerry Garcia / Robert Hunter

Analysis:
http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/ripple.html

It mentions "optimistic hopelessness".

The live shows resonate so much more than the studio version. You can feel the energy from the audience.

Note: animated GIF sourced to Robert Redford in the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson; I thought it was Nick Offerman.

Grateful Dead - Notes of a first-time listener of the live shows

Listening to Grateful Dead, live, for the first time, really, via the amazing Archive.org resource.

Today, 1989 concerts, from Rich Stadium and Greek Amphitheater.

Live at Rich Stadium on 1989-07-04
https://archive.org/details/gd89-07-04.aud.wiley.9045.sbeok.shnf
"No our love will not fade away" -- a chant to bring the band back, for an encore.

1989-08-19: Greek Theatre, U. Of California
https://archive.org/details/gd89-08-19.sbd.5213.sbeok.shnf

Can't say I'm a big fan, but am finding the rambling live music infectious. Will try to record thoughts as they seem noteworthy.