The late former UCLA Bruin Bill Walton’s relationship with the Grateful Dead has been well-documented for over 50 years.
A lifelong “Deadhead,” Walton introduced fellow teammates to the band, notably former Celtics teammate and current Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. In his lifetime, Walton was believed to have attended north of 1,000 Grateful Dead concerts, a testament to his fandom and commitment to the band.
This week, during their performance at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the Grateful Dead honored their former fan. Displaying his name and number 32 in tie-dye, the Grateful Dead paid their respects to their larger-than-life fan, Walton. As the concert ended, the Grateful Dead put up a picture of Walton wearing a Grateful Dead shirt, beaming with joy.
One of their most famous fans, Walton’s legacy in the NBA, in broadcasting, and his charity work often links back to his “peace and love” attitude and Grateful Dead fandom.