For the week of 8/25 – 8/31, This Week in Grateful Dead History #34 takes us on a journey through some iconic performances, historical moments, and musical milestones. This week includes shows spanning from 1969 to 1983, showcasing the band's evolution and their ability to captivate audiences across decades. Notable events include Pigpen's final show before his hiatus due to health reasons, the debut of several beloved songs, and the final performance of "Empty Pages." I’ve w

For the week of 8/18 – 8/24, the Grateful Dead delivered a series of performances that showcased their evolving sound and dynamic energy. This week in Grateful Dead history includes notable first performances, unique setlists, and memorable collaborations. The band members, including Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and Brent Mydland, were joined by special guests like Carlos Santana, adding layers of excitement to the shows. The week also high

For the week of 8/11 – 8/17, we delve into a fascinating period in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant events. This week includes the heavenly birthday of David Crosby on August 14, 1941, and the iconic Woodstock concert, which, despite its challenges, remains a historic moment. Notably, the first performance of "Easy To Love You" took place on August 14, 1979. This week in Grateful Dead history showcases the band's ability to adapt and thr

For the week of August 4th to August 10th, we delve into an emotional period in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant anniversaries. This week in Grateful Dead history is a testament to the band's enduring legacy and the vibrant community that continues to celebrate their music. As I write this the first of 3 Dead & Company shows is taking place in San Francisco to celebrate 60 years of the music of the Grateful Dead. All of this happening in

For the week of 7/28/2024 – 8/3/2024, This Week in Grateful Dead History celebrates a stretch packed with legendary shows, rare debuts, and the beginning of “the days between” (August 1st through August 9th) to celebrate the life of Jerry. Jerry Garcia, born August 1, 1942, would have turned 82 this week—a date he shares with longtime Dead manager Rock Scully (also born 8/1). The week’s shows feature everything from the massive Summer Jam at Watkins Glen (with the Allman Brot

For the week of July 21, 2024 – July 27, 2024, This Week in Grateful Dead History explores a stretch of shows that are rich with both musical highlights and poignant historical moments. This week’s dates span from the early 1970s through the late 1980s and 1990, featuring everything from the first hints of “Weather Report Suite Prelude” to the final performances of beloved Brent Mydland songs, and the legendary “Dylan & The Dead” collaborations. The week is also marked by the

For the week of July 14, 2024 to July 20, 2024, This Week In Grateful Dead History #28 covers a fascinating stretch of Grateful Dead performances, featuring everything from legendary guest appearances to historic song debuts and farewells. This week’s shows span from the band’s early days jamming with Janis Joplin to the late-era surprises of the 1990s, and include collaborations with Allman Brothers members, rare setlist experiments, and the first and last performances of se

For the week of 7/7 – 7/13, we revisit a remarkable stretch of Grateful Dead history, spanning legendary venues, iconic setlists, and some truly historic moments. This week’s shows feature everything from the band’s first-ever performance at Red Rocks to the final “Mountains of the Moon,” a lunar eclipse at the Greek, and a rare “Dark Star” encore. Along the way, we encounter the Dead backing Bob Dylan, the return of “St. Stephen,” and the only time “Dancin’ in the Streets” c

Well, here we are – already HALF WAY through the year! I can’t believe it. I swear, the older I get, the faster time goes by. For the week of 6/30 – 7/6, here’s a look back at some memorable Grateful Dead performances and historical highlights. The shows from this week in Grateful Dead history showcase the band’s ability to evolve, surprise, and deliver unforgettable moments across decades. Whether it’s a historic venue farewell, a rare song debut, or a collaboration with mus

For the week of 6/23 – 6/29, This Week in Grateful Dead History #25 takes us on a journey through some of the band's most memorable performances, spanning decades and showcasing their ever-evolving sound. The shows from this week are a testament to the band's ability to evolve, experiment, and surprise their audience. From the only performance of "Happiness Is Drumming" to the final "Mission in the Rain," and even Bobby's run-in with the law, the Dead's legacy continues to sh

For the week of 6/16 – 6/22, we dive into one of the busiest touring months of the year for the band. Historically the Dead were playing these dates almost every year from 1973 on, with a few exceptions so there are a TON of shows to pick from when it comes to these dates. This week includes Pigpen's last show on June 17, 1972, and Phil Lesh's first show with the band on June 18, 1965. The band also debuted several iconic songs during this week in various years, including "St

For the week of 6/9 – 6/15, we delve into a fascinating period in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant milestones. This week includes the first performance of "Masterpiece" on June 13, 1987, and "Keep On Growing" on June 14, 1985. The final performance of "Wave That Flag" occurred on June 10, 1973, and the only performance of "Franklin’s Tower" as an encore was on June 9, 1976. The week also highlights the continuation of the June 1976 "come

Week # 22 6/2 - 6/8 Summary For the week of 6/2 – 6/8, we delve into a fascinating period in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant events. The performances this week showcase the band's dynamic evolution, from their early experimental days to their later, more polished performances. Each show offers a unique glimpse into the band's journey, filled with musical innovation and unforgettable collaborations. This week commemorates the passing of

Summary for Week # 21 - 5/26 - 6/1 For the week of 5/26 – 6/1, we wrap up the infamous Europe ’72  and Spring ’77  tours and delve into a wide range of dates in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant moments. This week includes the first performance of "Promised Land" on May 29, 1971, a song that would become a staple in their live repertoire. This week’s shows also features some final versions of Pigpen songs, as he becomes less prominent and

I'm trying out a new audio overview feature, let me know what you think! Audio Summary for the week of 5/19 - 5/25 For the week of 5/19 – 5/25, we delve into a rich tapestry of Grateful Dead performances, each showcasing the band's unique ability to blend improvisation with structured musicality. This week also marks the 84th birthday of the legendary Bob Dylan, born on May 24, 1941, whose influence on music and culture is immeasurable. Whether through the intricate jams of t

For the week of 5/12 – 5/18, we delve into a fascinating period in Grateful Dead history, marked by memorable performances and significant milestones. From the debut of "Jack-A-Roe" and "Passenger" to the unique performance of "Ballad of Casey Jones," these shows capture the spirit of a band that was constantly exploring new musical territories. Whether it was the laid-back vibes of the 1977 shows or the energetic performances of the early '70s, the Grateful Dead's ability to

For the week of 5/5 - 5/11, we delve further into a fascinating period in Grateful Dead history, marked by the band's early days and some of their most iconic performances from the Europe '72 and May, '77 tours. This week also coincides with the anniversary of Bob Marley's passing on May 11, 1981, a significant moment in music history. The Grateful Dead's journey began on May 5, 1965, when they performed their first known show as The Warlocks at Magoo's Pizza Parlor  in Menlo

For the week of 4/28 – 5/4 we have the continuation of the Europe ’72 tour, as well as the start of the epic Spring ’77 tour. We also wrap up the end of the April, ’71 run at the Fillmore East, and the last time the band would ever perform at the iconic venue because it would be shut down shortly thereafter on June 27th of that year. Tom Constanten sits in with the band one last time on 4/28/71. We also have the first performance of Let The Good Times Roll (4/30/88) and Sunri

For the week of 4/21 – 4/27 we continue our way through the Europe ’72 tour with three more incredible shows. We also have the first three shows of the infamous final Fillmore East 1971 tour that consisted of 5 shows. You’re not going to have any shortage of incredible music to listen to! There are lots of official releases to cover many of these shows, so be sure to pull those out for the best sound quality. For song performances, there’s the first performance of Got My Mojo

For the week of 4/14 – 4/20 we continue our journey through the incredible Europe ’72 tour. We’re also remembering Laurence “Ram Rod” Shurtliff, who was born on 4/19/1945. Ramrod was a key figure in the Grateful Dead's history—more than just a roadie, he was considered part of the family. Ram Rod joined the Grateful Dead crew in 1967, originally to help with the Merry Pranksters and Ken Kesey. He quickly became the head roadie for the band, known for his calm demeanor and unw