Tickets for the Grateful Dead reunion shows in Chicago this summer sold out quickly last weekend. Now, scalpers are selling after-market tickets for tons of cash and dedicated fans are paying for them. One fan hatched a questionable plan to fund a $5,000 ticket by selling what he claims to be Jerry Garcia's severed finger. He put the appendage up for sale on -- yes, you guessed it -- Craigslist.
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, a seller named Matt in Indianapolis posted the ad on the website a few days ago along with a picture -- see below.
"I am selling Jerry Garcia's severed finger to raise money for the upcoming GD 50th Anniversary show in Chicago," Matt wrote. "It pains me to part with this one of a kind collectable, but I believe Jerry would want me to see the last show. Finger is preserved in brine solution and sealed in air tight bottle for long term storage. Peace & Love."
The only legitimacy to the story is that Garcia did lose part of his middle finger. As most die-hard fans know, however, the guitarist lost the finger as a child while cutting wood with his brother. So if you don't believe this is a hoax, some questions to start asking are: "How did Matt get the finger?" "Why did Matt keep the finger?" "What the hell is going on?"
Oh, and if you were wondering, the finger is listed as being in "good" condition.
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann will reunite July 3 to 6 at the Windy City's Soldier Field. Trey Anastasio will sit in for Garcia, who died in 1995. All three shows sold out in less than an hour. Promoters are planning to broadcast or stream the show live as a pay-per-view event.
Unfortunately for Deadheads, the Chicago Tribune recently reported that fans will not be allowed to camp for the reunion shows.
