My first Grateful Dead show was Brent Mydland's last before he died. I got to hear VInce with the Dead 7 times I guess. As far as keyboard playing went, Vince was possibly the best the band had, although that was well past their creative prime. It's sad, but not as sad as Jerry dying on my 21st birthday.
Years later, I went to luthiery school in Phoenix, and one of my instructors played in a Grateful Dead cover band. I got to hear Vince sit in with them on several occasions, which was very cool, as well as "hanging out" with him in the parking lot between sets.
R.I.P. Vince
Thanks for the memories.