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

For the week of 4/7 – 4/13, we again have many shows to pick from as April continued to be a very busy touring month for the band most years. However, the biggest historical event is the kickoff of the infamous Europe ’72 tour. I know you all are familiar with this tour, but it was a landmark 22-show journey across six countries, running from April 7 to May 26, 1972. Musically, the tour captured the Dead at a creative peak, with inspired performances that balanced Americana r

For the week of 3/31 – 4/5 there were again an abundant amount of shows to pick from. Way more than I could possibly have time to review, but that leaves plenty to explore for next year (and the year after, and the year after, and…). This week we have some notable first performances of Feel Like A Stranger, Candyman, Take Me To The River, Final performances of Ballad Of A Thin Man, Easy Wind, Day Job, Hand Jive, and the only time they ever performed what I’m calling an “inver

For the week of 3/24 – 3/30 there were a lot of shows to pick from. March was typically a busy time of year for the band as they were on the road for Spring touring. I did my best to select the best, but I’m sure there are some that people like that I didn’t include. The truth is, some weeks there are so many shows that I can’t possibly get to them all. Nonetheless, I’ve written listening guides for 18 excellent shows: 3/24/1973 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 3/24/1990 Knicke

For the week of 3/17 – 3/23 we’ve got the first show with the full Wall Of Sound system, some big song debuts, including the first performances of Fire On The Mountain, Scarlet Begonias, Cassidy, Blues For Allah, Stronger Than Dirt. We also have the only performance of Alhambra. I’ve written listening guides for 20 amazing shows this week. Enjoy! 3/17/1970 Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY 3/17/1988 Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA 3/18/1971 Fox Theatre, St. Lou

For the week of 3/10 – 3/16, we’re remembering three incredible individuals who joined the great gig in the sky. First, on 3/10 we say happy heavenly birthday to Sam Cutler, who passed away in 2023. 3/12 is the 14th anniversary of Owsley’s death. And of course, most recently Phil himself, who would have been 85 on March 15th. Thankfully, we have 12 outstanding performances this week to soothe our soul: 3/10/1981 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 3/11/1993 Rosemont Horizon,

For the week of 3/3 – 3/9 we will revisit one of the defining moments in 60’s culture – the infamous Haight Street concert. We also remember Pigpen, who died on 3/8, and take a listen to Bobby play Black Throated Wind for the first time. I’ve put together a synopsis of 8 excellent shows this week: 3/3/1968 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 3/3/1987 Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA 3/4/1994 Desert Sky Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 3/5/72 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, C

For the week of 2/24 – 3/2 we’ve got some notable events to cover. Jerry busts out Rosebud for the first time, his brand-new MIDI-enabled guitar. We also get the first performances of some classic songs: Terrapin Station and Estimated Prophet, and the final performance of Mason’s Children. Lastly, the boys make rock and roll history by being the first band to ever make a 16-track live recording. I’ve got detailed listening guides for 12 incredible shows to cover all that and

For the week of 2/17 – 2/23 we have some major historical events, and a slew of new songs being performed for the first time. This week I’ve written listening guides for 13 incredible shows: 2/17/1979 Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA 2/18/1971 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY 2/19/1971 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY 2/20/1971 Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY 2/20/1985 Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA 2/21/1969 Dream Bowl, Vallejo, CA 2/21/1971 Capitol Th

For the week of 2/10 - 2/16 we are jam-packed with some epic concerts as well as another mystery show: 2/12/70 Ungano's Night Club, which is probably the most debated and contested mystery show in Grateful Dead History. We'll get into that and a lot more in this week's listening guides: 2/10/1979 Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, Kansas City, KS 2/10/1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA 2/11/1969 (Early and Late) Fillmore East, New York, NY 2/11/1970 (Early and Late) Fillm