Wachtelligence

Author: aj wachtel

In 1974, A.J. Wachtel left Springfield, New Jersey for Boston to attend BU, and well frankly he never left. Maintaining the "aggressive, in your face" charm of someone from New Jersey, he has used that tone to cover the Boston Entertainment scene as a music journalist for over 40 years. He is the expert of the Boston scene during the 80s and 90s and if you doubt it, just ask him. AJ has now put down the pen and picked up a mic for his podcast: Wachtelligence. Join AJ and his guests as they talk about the past, present and future of the local & national music industry.
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Language: en

Genres: Music, Music History, Music Interviews

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

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S3, Episode 12: Vic DeRobertis: Playing Dead, Come Hear Uncle Vic's Band
Episode 12
Sunday, 26 July, 2026

Season 3, Episode 12. This episode is about "the band beyond description" or at least a band that plays their music. AJ sits down with Vic DeRobertis, founder and guitarist of Playing Dead, New England's premier Grateful Dead tribute band. For more than 30 years, Vic has dedicated himself to honoring the music, spirit, and community of the Grateful Dead. Playing Dead has earned a reputation becoming the first call for many of the Commonwealth's most notable Grateful Dead celebrations. From performing at Jerry Day at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox to commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead's legendary performance at Boston's Music Hall (now the Wang Theatre), Playing Dead has become an institution for Deadheads throughout New England. The band is also celebrating an incredible milestone—its five-year Wednesday night residency at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, where fans continue to gather week after week to experience the music and the community that surrounds it. Join AJ and Vic as they talk about the music, the history, the enduring culture of the Grateful Dead, and what it means to keep the legacy alive for generations of fans. Not to mention an amazing acoustic performance of "Ripple".