The singer Jerry Garcia was “too intimidated” to work with: “It takes tremendous nerve, tremendous balls”

Jerry Garcia admired Gary Numan so much that he said he would feel too intimidated to write with him. The remark highlights a more vulnerable side of the Grateful Dead musician, whose reputation for adventurous live performances can overshadow his songwriting and his own doubts.

Garcia praised Numan for performing as though he had something to say, but felt their approaches were too different and worried he would run short of ideas. He described himself as insecure and in danger of “blowing it” beside performers with such confidence. Garcia’s songwriting also impressed Bob Dylan, who said Garcia’s recordings of Dylan’s songs helped him hear how they could develop.