Post by ekforum on Dec 1, 2009 14:38:33 GMT -5
There's a chapter in Marley Brant's book called FREEBIRDS that's all about Dean. Dean was the roadie that every band wished they had. He knew nothing about the technical stuff that brought the music to the fans...but he took care of everything else. Dedication beyond belief. Brant tells it better than I can, so I suggest you read that book.
Dean was a most reliable, incredible friend to everyone in the band. Loyal to the point of death, as he proved. Yeah, he was a bad boy at times. Like the time at Nichols Arena in Denver when he dumped an entire bag of blow on a cabinet during a show and got nabbed by the cops. Wow...even before the show was over, we had guys on our crew go back to the hotel and PACK EVERYTHING UP so we can get out quick. That night was wide-spread panic!
Sharon Lawrence writes:
Dean was a real sweetie! Tall, slim, long brown wavy/curly hair. Not a redneck; he had class. I guess that means he wasn't red, white and blue. He was very bright, sensitive to the band's moods, especially Ronnie's. (By the way, some of my best friends are rednecks.)
Early on, Dean gave me a little present -- a tiny brass box with an abalone shell top. I have always treasured it -- one of those sincere kind of thank you moments that you never forget. It meant and means more than diamonds.
Dean and Linda Blair were good friends, and a few months ago, I offered the box to her. She absolutely refused to let me part with it. Linda is also a sweetie. I hardly ever use that word! It must be a Jack Daniels flashback!