Chris Charucki passed away yesterday, April 6 2018.
Charucki was the long time road manager for Bob Weir, having worked with him in RatDog, The Dead, Furthur, Dead & Company etc. He was well known, and loved (and sometimes feared) by band members, fellow road crew, and even the audience and fans, and known for his humor and sweetness, hidden behind a gruff and crusty exterior. At this time, we have no word on the cause of death, and are respecting the privacy of his close friends and family.
Last night at Terrapin Crossroads, Phil Lesh offered a short eulogy for Chris Charucki, mentioning that Bob Weir was really tore up over the loss, and how Charucki was a really awesome guy. Then they played the Grateful Dead’s “Black Muddy River” in tribute. Here is a clip that has been shared with us by the Woodcutter’s Daughter:
Phil was sitting in for a few songs during an acoustic set in the Grate Room by Anders Osborne and Todd Park Mohr. With Phil, they also performed “Fire On The Mountain” and the Anders Osborne tune “Windows”.
This was also Phil Lesh returning to the Grate Room stage for the first time in almost two months, having been away on a tour with Bob Weir, then with the Terrapin Family Band and John Scofield for his 78th birthday run at The Capitol Theatre, followed by a headlining two set performance at the Pot Of Gold Festival in Arizona…. Phil came back with a touch of a flu after all that, and missed an appearance last week at the Terrapin Family Seder, because he had to stay home and rest. We are very grateful to have Phil Lesh back in action, even as we are saddened by the loss of dear Chris Charucki.
RIP Charucki #fuckcharuckiforever
