Anyhow, that's enough about all that. Today, I'm taking a stab at two of my favorite things in life, Michael Jordan and Phish. You may be asking yourself just how the hell do these relate to one another...or you may be saying to yourself: "What the fuck is wrong with these hippies? Like, dude you're totally bouncin' around the room...tell me about the sick Fluffhead you heard at Deer Creek...tool." Well, you have your opinions and I have mine. In any event, it's another round of a shameless Phish post, so hang with me on this one if you will and you'll see just how they are/were the MJ of the music scene.
Yup, Michael Jordan and Phish should be described as similar and in the same breath. Although, they may appear to be complete opposites, the distinct similarities, are really not that far apart. They both were the absolute best at what they did. Yes, I plead insanity by reason of bias here, but can you argue? Well, maybe you do have several counter arguments, but first let me explain why they are similar. I’ll gladly step aside from my claim they are the greatest of all-time, to actually have some sort of sound factual explanation.
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This isn’t exactly rocket science here; it’s not some complex formula I derived when I was stoned listening to Alpine Valley '99, rather it's the obvious. Michael Jordan was a rookie with the Chicago Bulls in 1985 and swept onto the scene immediately. It wasn’t quite as fast a track to success for Jon, Mike, Trey and Page. However, the official line-up was established in Vermont back in 1985, when Page first joined the band. (
How about a hand clap...you learn new shit on this site everyday).
Much like MJ, they were a little rough on the edges, but the flashes of brilliance were there. Their signature songs, such as Fluffhead, Antelope, YEM and Harry Hood were created during the early years. MJ’s signature slam dunks and marketing persona was also created in his early years. Hmm, are you following me yet?
By the late 1980’s Phish had struggled to achieve the level of success they had so desired. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan was also searching to achieve his own level of success on the basketball court. The Bulls as a team had failed to advance deep into the playoffs. Perhaps, both the band and MJ had to go through a moment of self-analysis and reflection to rise up to the next level. This transitional period for both proved to be the moment the pendulum and moment swung into both their respective corners.
Michael Jordan and the Bulls finally conquered the Detroit Pistons in the early 1990’s. By the time MJ won his first Championship, Phish had long since moved out of the club scene in Vermont and was now doing national tours in mid-sized venues and amphitheatres. Arguably, the pinnacle of MJ’s success was achieved years before Phish. However, by the time the mid 90’s rolled around MJ had already won three titles in a row and Phish was just about to break down the small-sized venues and erupt into the highest grossing touring act in America.
MJ prematurely opted to call it quits at the end of the 1994 campaign. Had he achieved his ultimate success? I still question why he ever left. This left the NBA vacant for years and left a void in my interest with the NBA. Somebody, won the titles those two years he was gone, but I never can remember who did, nor do I even really care. He was everything to the game and was the greatest player that ever played up to that point. Why did he leave at the height of his success?
It was years later, I would ask myself that same question about Phish. After essentially rising to the elite status of rock n’ roll bands, they opted to take their first official unspecified break, following the 1998 New Years run in New York. Everyone knew they would be back soon enough and the break wouldn’t last long. However, it was still a bit scary to realize the void they left. For those 7 months they remained virtually hidden in Trey’s barn up in Vermont. Perhaps, they were practicing to get even better and raise the bar another level. Yet, I was stranded in College, resigned to trading bootlegs with other hippies around campus in order to feed the craving.
Not unexpectedly, they announced the summer tour of 1999 and answered the speculations, that yes, indeed they had been warming up a new and more intricately knit sound that would far surpass expectations. During that same time, Michael Jordan had already made his first comeback and climbed back up the ladder of greatness, even exceeding the legend he already established. The Chicago Bulls won 72 games in 1996, the best single season mark ever, and it won’t be touched. Michael Jordan’s comeback was a resounding success, as was the minor comeback taking place with Phish.
It’s hardly fair to call Phish’s initial break and comeback, monumental. They weren’t actually gone that long, but just long enough to leave fans with a craving. Phish’s re-establishment again was just off a little on the timing pattern with Michael Jordan. However, MJ was once again waiving the white towel of retirement in 1999, after another 3-peat. This time, possibly it was a well earned ride into the sunset. However, most people still believed he was just as dominant as ever and should have stayed. To this day, I know he left prematurely, yet again. Did Stern force him out, because of gambling?
Either way, he made his choice and we were all doomed to live with that decision. However, little did any of us realize that the inevitable end or temporary “hiatus” for Phish was fast approaching? I am not sure if they were burnt out, un-inspired or just sick of each other, but on October 7th 2000, Phish opted to call it quits. They called the break a "hiatus" to re-energize and re-dedicate themselves. It left legions of hopeless fans, junkies and tour rats lost. What was supposed to happen next? The music was never supposed to stop? Where would all these people go, who would they turn to and who would they follow? Where the hell was I going to find "Goo Balls" one for three or two for five?
Perhaps, Phish had given all they had and the musical inspiration and spirit was drying up before their very eyes. Had they, like Michael Jordan, achieved the pinnacle of their success and could they go no higher? During the hiatus years, every member broke off to do their own thing. Trey seemed to establish the most secure level of solo success and despite an immediate attachment from the Phish faithful, it just wasn’t the same. Nothing was or has been the same, since Phish left the stage the first time for that hiatus.
A year into Phish’s hiatus, Michael Jordan once again stepped into the spotlight and amidst the turmoil of the 9/11 era, announced his return to the NBA with the Washington Wizards. The thought of MJ in a Wizards jersey was creepy. On comparison level of creepiness to seeing your best friend, date your sister. Regardless, Michael Jordan was back in the NBA to teach all the young punks a lesson about respect. I remember the Nike campaign with the Mos Def song and the motto of respect, beginning about 6 months prior to his return. Was it not obvious he was going to comeback?
However, this time around there would be no Championships or even playoffs for that matter. There would be no scoring titles, MVP trophies or even more padding of his already enormous legacy. In fact, it was a bit of a struggle for MJ in his return. Glory was hard to come by and suddenly the whispers throughout the league were that his time had passed him by. How did the greatest player ever fall so far from grace? Many claimed during this final Jordan era that he actually diminished his reputation just a little.
I am not so sure, I disagree. The final Jordan stint was anything, but memorable and seeing some of the disrespect he received from many youngsters in the league, was upsetting. I know he came back for personal reasons, yet sometimes I wish I could always just remember his last shot in Utah and not the fact that he ever wore a Wizards uniform. It still sickens me at times to hear the stories of bickering with teammates and watching him not being able to finish the way I remember. Something just wasn’t the same.
In the middle of Jordan’s final NBA season, Phish decided to return to the stage. Yes, after nearly 2 years of retirement the greatest rock n’ roll band of all-time was primed to make another valiant comeback of their own. The stage was set for the triumphant return at Madison Square Garden (Jordan and Phish’s favorite venue) on New Years Eve 2002. Perhaps, the anticipation and the hype for the post-hiatus/post-holiday tour overshadowed the actual music. Things just weren’t the same with Phish’s return either. My God, had time passed them by as well?
I was able to take in the first and several more of the post-hiatus Phish shows. I don’t know, maybe it was me, maybe it was them, but something just wasn’t the same. I have never really been able to pinpoint what was different, although I always suspect something with Trey’s guitar sound. It’s possible that I just out grew the band or that it wasn’t fun for me anymore, now having to face the post college life and enter a state of adulthood. Hearing a song like “Free” in the middle of a field out in some remote town of Indiana didn’t have as much meaning or significance to me anymore. Yeah, I’m free…free for another day and then I have to get my ass back to work and sit in that damn cubicle for 40 hours.
Phish hung it up for good a few summer's ago in what many will call a lackluster or even disastrous ending. Yet, despite all that, I still long to get that glorious email from Rupes or somebody saying "THEY ARE BACK!" From time to time, I wonder if Phish as well as Michael Jordan, had actually just passed me by. As I grow older these things that meant so much to me years ago, seem not so significant in my life anymore.
A few short years ago, I remember thinking to myself I could never write a story about Phish or Michael Jordan; for fear that the words would diminish the impact they made on my own life. Is it really like in “What about Bob” when Richard Dreyfous explains to Bill Murray that maybe he didn’t leave his wife because she liked Neil Diamond, but maybe she left him because he didn't like Neil Diamond? It’s kind of that whole psychological thing, that there is more to life…you get my drift?
It’s tough not to see the similarities after you look at the time line and the events along both their rise and eventual ride into the sunset. Even the final curtain of MJ and Phish, prior to retirement is similar. Think about all the young players MJ has inspired from Kobe, Vince Carter, Lebron, etc…almost every up and comer admires and tries to mimic, the one and only, Michael Jordan.
Phish has to receive the majority of the credit for spawning the whole jam band scene of today and being able to take it to a whole new level. There are very few bands out there that don’t have some form of Phish influence. I still understand; if you don’t agree with me that both MJ and Phish are the best at what they did. At least in my mind, they were the best and that is all that really counts for me.
Are you tired of watching that guy who snagged Peyton Manning at #10 in your fantasy draft sleeping peacefully at night with a sure playoff berth while your Steven Jackson, Larry Johnson, or Reggie Bush pick continues to screw you over week after week?
Thanks to Stan and Rupert for allowing me to hijack the site for a post. (Though I’m not convinced Rupert actually knew about the wager). More importantly thanks to Ohio State for dominating Michigan State to make this possible. And yes, it was domination. Don’t talk to me about the final score. Don’t even try to say that had the defense fallen on that last fumble…fact is even if they fall on that ball, I don’t think they would have gotten more than 3 points out of it.
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Kyle: Dude, I am fucking hurting today. 
