The Dead’s Bill Kreutzmann Forced To Sit Out Red Rocks Gig

Grateful Dead co-founding drummer Bill Kreutzmann was forced to sit out the Dead & Company's Tuesday night show (October 19th) at Morrison, Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The 75-year-old Kreutzmann blamed a common cold and altitude issues for missing the concert.

Kreutzmann posted a message to fans on social media, which reads:

Friends, one of the many things this pandemic has reminded us is that health is more important than anything. I developed some cold-like symptoms this week and had it checked out and I am relieved to report that it isn’t covid and also isn’t anything serious. However, out of an abundance of caution, my medical team has advised me to take it easy so that I can continue to do what I love — make music with my brothers.

Having just been to Red Rocks with the Kids, I can tell you that the altitude up here really affects me and can compound with the respiratory symptoms I’ve been experiencing today to make for unnecessary difficulties. So out of an abundance of caution we called in my friend Jay Lane to assist in the drum chair tonight.

I love you and don’t worry — I’m not going anywhere. I’m just taking a breather, so to speak, so that we can continue to dance and shake our bones. I’ll be back to full steam ahead momentarily. Thanks for understanding, Billy

There's been no word as to whether Kretutzmann will miss any other shows beyond the Red Rocks gig.

Although the Dead's fame and fan base only grew year after year, Bill Kreutzmann admitted to us that it never seemed to go to his head: “I never went for that star stuff — for a very short time, maybe — but I really never did. It didn’t interest me. I only really cared about was playing the drums really well and playing in bands that would be free in their thinking, so the music could be free.”