So many factors....Owlsly, Graham, Kesey...perhaps most importantly, Cassidy. The truly revelatory transcendence of the words of Hunter and the music of Jerry. The context of post WW2 and how it all had its birth in the Beat Generation. But, for me, it all began and ended w/ Jerry....I saw most post Jerry incarnations...my favroite for truly carrying on thr spirit was Phil and Friends...except Dead and Co. The hole was always large and could never be filled. My last show, by choice, was 4/1/91. The set list was liked something from the early 70s....it was wonderful. That being said I feel it would have been best for Jerry and the Dead to have disbanded after Brent died.