PATTAYA, Thailand – On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) was treated to an extraordinary presentation by the renowned musician Matt Kelly. As part of the PCEC’s Words and Music series, Matt shared his rich musical journey, captivating the audience with both his storytelling and live performances.
Matt, a seasoned musician with a career spanning nearly 50 years, has played alongside legendary bands such as the Grateful Dead, Kingfish, and the Electric Light Orchestra. His presentation was a blend of personal anecdotes, reflections on the 1960s music scene, and live musical performances, showcasing his exceptional skills on the blues harmonica and guitar.
During the session, Matt shared his experiences growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area during the transformative 1960s. He discussed the impact of psychedelic substances like LSD, which were initially legal. Matt recounted some aspects of the early LSD trials and reflected on the era’s complex legacy, including its influence on creativity, medicine, and society.
Matt also highlighted his privilege of playing alongside blues legends like John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, and BB King. He discussed his time with the Jerry Garcia Band and Kingfish, including the tragic loss of close friends to drug overdoses, which inspired his song “Shining Dawn” addressing themes of addiction and depression.
The presentation included a video of a live performance of a blues song co-performed with Bobby Weir from the Grateful Dead at the Hollywood Bowl, capturing a magical musical moment. Matt explained why the Grateful Dead, despite their massive touring popularity and loyal fan base, never achieved significant commercial success. Their commitment to unique live performances and reluctance to conform to studio recording norms contributed to their distinctive legacy.
One of the most poignant parts of Matt’s presentation was his recounting of his time as the only white musician on the Chitlin’ Circuit in the Deep South during the late 1960s. He faced racial hostility, threats from groups like the Ku Klux Klan, and police harassment, but also felt embraced and adopted by the African-American musical community. This period was both a highlight and a challenging chapter in his career.
Throughout the event, Matt performed several songs, including blues classics like “Rock Me Baby” and a Bob Dylan cover, engaging the audience with heartfelt renditions. He emphasized music as a powerful medium for expressing real emotions and social issues.
The session concluded with audience questions about harmonica techniques and memories of performances in Thailand, showcasing Matt’s ongoing active involvement in music. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his story and music, promising to return for future events.
MC Ren Lexander then brought everyone up to date on upcoming PCEC events followed by the Open Forum portion of the meeting where the audience can ask questions or make comments about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya. To learn more about the PCEC, visit their website at www.pcec.club. To view the video of Matt’s presentation, visit the PCEC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3XHylpm1LQ.
