Ramrod (l.) with S. Parish and R. Taylor

Lawrence Shurtliff, 61, dead of lung cancer: “‘I remember when he first showed up at 710 Ashbury,’ said the Dead’s drummer Mickey Hart. ‘He pulled up on a Harley. He was wearing a chain with a lock around his waist. He said: ‘Name’s Ramrod. Kesey sent me. I hear you need a good man.’ I remember it like it was yesterday.’ Mr. Shurtliff joined the Dead in 1967 as truck driver and was named president of the group’s board of directors when it incorporated in the 70’s. He held that position until the death of the guitarist Jerry Garcia in 1995. Like the rest of the band’s few remaining staff members, he was laid off last year.” (New York Times )