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

For the week of 2/3 – 2/9 we have a lot of great music, as well as several big historical events. This week I've written listening guides for 12 shows: 2/3/1978 Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI 2/3/1979 Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, IN 2/4/1970 Family Dog at the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 2/4/1979 Dane County Coliseum, Madison, WI 2/5/1970 Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA 2/5/1978 Uni Dome, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 2/5/1989 Henry J. Kaiser Conv

For the week of 1/27 - 2/2 we have some amazing music along with one really big historical event that became a defining moment for the band. This week I've written listening guides for 10 outstanding shows: 1/27/1968 Eagle's Auditorium, Seattle, WA 1/28/1987 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA 1/29/1987 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, CA 1/30/1970 The Warehouse, New Orleans, LA 1/30/1978 Uptown Theater, Chicago, IL 1/31/1970 The Warehouse, New Orl

For the week of 1/20 - 1/26 we have 12 incredible shows from a wide range of years to review: 1/20/1968 Eureka Municipal Auditorium, Eureka, CA 1/20/1979 Shea's Buffalo Theater, Buffalo, NY 1/21/1979 Masonic Temple, Detroit, MI 1/22/1978 McArthur Court, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 1/23/1970 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, HI 1/24/1969 Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 1/24/1970 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, HI 1/24/1971 Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, WA 1/25

For the week of 1/13 - 1/19 we have fewer shows than average to review. It was a relatively slow time of year for the band, as they typically took most of January and February off. There were exceptions to that, however. Particularly in the early days from 1966 to 1970, and 1978 - 1979 touring years. Nevertheless, we have 13 shows to review this week. By the way, if you're new here, this is my weekly listening guide that brings you the most interesting and significant facts f

Welcome to the weekly Grateful Dead listening guide that brings you writeups of the best music for the week ahead, along with the most interesting and significant facts from Grateful Dead History. The idea is to give all you Heads a "heads up" on the interesting and cool stuff the Grateful Dead were up to on this week in history. So hit the Subscribe button below to get this delivered to your email every week! As I begin the second year of writing these weekly listening guide