This Week In Grateful Dead History #51 (Week of 12/22)
- Mason's Children
- Dec 21
- 12 min read
For the week of 12/22 – 12/28th, we’re gearing up for New Year’s Eve with some interesting historical year-end shows. It is fascinating to read about the 1970 benefit for Owsley "The Bear" Stanley, where the band likely added a Montessori School to the bill to soften the image of supporting a jailed LSD chemist. I was amused by the 1969 show where Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir had to improvise an acoustic set because drummer Bill Kreutzmann was delayed on a flight over Omaha. There’s also a unique jam session at The Matrix featuring Garcia, Harvey Mandel, and Stephen Miller. I’ve written 14 listening guides this week to cover all of this and more.
12/22/1978, Dallas County Convention Center Arena, Dallas, TX
12/23/1970, Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA
12/24/1968, The Matrix, San Francisco, CA
12/26/1969, McFarlin Auditorium, South Methodist University, Dallas, TX
12/26/1970, Legion Stadium, El Monte, CA
12/26/1979, Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA
12/27/1977, Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA
12/27/1981, Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA
12/27/1986, Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA
12/28/1978, Golden Hall, Community Concourse, San Diego, CA
12/28/1979, Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA
12/28/1986, Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA
12/28/1987, Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA
12/28/1991, Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA
If you like these weekly listening guides, and you want to support me, please consider buying a copy of my book On This Day In Grateful Dead History: A Daily Listening Journal. They're $50 and I offer free shipping if you subscribe to my mailing list, where you'll get these writeups delivered. No spam, I promise!
As I write up each week's listening guides, I mark up my copy of the book like this:
The underlined songs are the ones I'm calling out as highlights in the listening guide, and the songs highlighted in yellow are the ones that Howard Weiner has identified as Jam Anthem renditions. I also write notes in the space provided if I'm feeling inspired or if there are any updates such as newly released material. Ultimately you can use it however you want, but this was my original intent with the book.
So grab your copy of the book if you have it to follow along. Ok, let's jump into it. Here's the highlights for Issue 51, for the week of December 22nd, 2025:
Interesting historical facts for this week in Grateful Dead history:
First performance of Tons Of Steel (12/28/1984), Day Tripper (12/28/1984)
Final performance of Passenger (12/27/1981)
Only performance of Gathering Flowers For The Master’s Banquet (12/26/1969)
By the way, if you're new here, this is my weekly listening guide that brings you the most interesting and significant facts from Grateful Dead History, along with reviews of the music for the week ahead. 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 go to the top of my blog page where you can enter your email to get this delivered to your email every week!
December 22nd
12/22/1978 Dallas County Convention Center Arena, Dallas, TX - This is basically the only show available from this date, and from what I can tell there are just two circulating sources. Neither one is perfect, but SHNID 161817 sounds better to me on my simple 2.1 stereo setup (no offense to the tapers!). The first set has some nice highlights with Tennessee Jed and a strong Minglewood > Deal sequence.
The second set features a standout Scarlet > Fire, but unfortunately the tape cuts about two-thirds of the way through Wharf Rat, and we don’t seem to know how the rest of the show ended—which is pretty rare. A Vault tape would be amazing for this one, though it’s not clear if one even exists.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1978/12/22
December 23rd
12/23/1970 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA - There isn’t much music on the circulating tape for this show, and I doubt it’s complete, but what’s there sounds really good, with excellent quality (I’m using SHNID 132343 to listen). This was a benefit for “The Bear,” Owsley, who had just been re-arrested and was facing serious legal trouble, along with The Montessori School. I’ve always liked the theory from the Lost Live Dead blog that they added The Montessori School to the billing as a way to “neutralize” (chemistry pun intended) any bad vibes about supporting an LSD chemist.
The highlights are strong. Deep Elem Blues is played electric here, with a unique shuffle that makes it stand out from the later acoustic or electric versions. Other highlights include a gritty King Bee, a heartfelt Me & Bobby McGee, a sweet Dire Wolf, a lively Good Lovin’ > Drums > Good Lovin’, and a closing Casey Jones > Uncle John’s Band that wraps the night up beautifully.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1970/12/23
December 24th
12/24/1968 The Matrix, San Francisco, CA - This isn’t the Grateful Dead, but since it sometimes gets included in GD set lists and there wasn’t anything else available on this date in Dead history, I figured I’d throw it in—Merry Christmas, I guess. It can be a little tricky to track down, but I’m listening to SHNID 82321 for this review. The lineup is Jerry Garcia with Harvey Mandel (the guitarist known for playing with Charlie Musselwhite and Canned Heat) and Stephen Miller (keyboardist from Linn County, Harvey Mandel’s Band, Elvin Bishop’s band, and The Allman Brothers Band). It was billed as an open-ended jam session “with Jerry Garcia, Harvey Mandel, Jack Cassady and others,” and I can only imagine how incredible it must have been to walk into a tiny club and witness this massive jam unfold.
The music on this tape is pretty awesome. It kicks off with a 36+ minute Jam that fades in mellow, almost with a Santana vibe, before building into a pure blues/rock jam that reminds me a bit of CSNY. The guitarists trade solos back and forth until a tempo change shifts the whole feel. The drummer doubles the beat, and suddenly the jam launches into another orbit—the guitars scream, the organ wails, and the bass thunders. They push it into a frenzy, hit a crescendo, and then break it down into a slower, more mellow groove. After a few minutes, the beat shifts again into a shuffle, carrying the theme for several minutes before dissolving into dissonance and feedback, fading out as the crowd—maybe six people—finally realizes it’s over and applauds.
The other songs are a bit of a guess, but Don’t Fight It (also known as We Got The Feeling) features Harvey Mandel singing, supposedly a Wilson Pickett tune. Three O’Clock In The Morning Blues follows, a nice blues shuffle. The tape closes with Mojo Worker > Jam, about 27 minutes of groovy blues and sweet jamming that caps off the night beautifully.
Music link: youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=1mjPFJkCQ3Y
December 25th
December 25th - Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa! No known Grateful Dead shows on this day in Grateful Dead history.
December 26th
12/26/1969 McFarlin Auditorium, South Methodist University, Dallas, TX - Officially released on Dave's Picks Volume 43 & 44. The entire show except for Cold Rain & Snow was released on 43. Cold Rain & Snow didn't fit, so they decided to put it on 44. This is a great show, and it kicks off with a short acoustic set that feels really special. Jerry tells the crowd that Billy is on an airplane “somewhere over Omaha” and on his way, and adds that “Bobby and I are going to regalia with some old standards.” That acoustic portion is magnificent, with highlights like Little Sadie, Long Black Limousine, All Around This World, the only known performance of The Master’s Bouquet, and a heartfelt Black Peter.
Once Billy arrives, the electric set takes off with full force. Highlights include a raucous Casey Jones, a fiery Hard To Handle, and a beautiful China Cat > I Know You Rider > High Time sequence. The Dark Star > New Speedway pairing is deep and powerful, and the set closes with a wild Lovelight that caps the night perfectly.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1969/12/26
12/26/1970 Legion Stadium, El Monte, CA - 1st of a 3-show run. This whole show is excellent, even though it seems we’re probably missing some music from the second set. What we do have includes some really strong versions that make it well worth hearing.
The first set has plenty of highlights, with Mama Tried, a gritty Easy Wind, and the final performance of Till The Morning Comes. Truckin’ is lively, Candyman is sweet and soulful, and Big RxR Blues adds punch. There’s also a fine example of the early original arrangement of New Minglewood Blues, and a heartfelt Black Peter.
The second set delivers some standout moments too. Morning Dew is powerful and emotional, Casey Jones is raucous fun, and the China Cat > I Know You Rider sequence flows beautifully. The Good Lovin’ > Drums > Good Lovin’ jam is energetic and playful, and the encore of Uncle John’s Band closes things out with warmth and joy.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1970/12/26
12/26/1979 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA - Officially released on Dick's Picks Volume 5. This is a really hot show, with the band dripping with energy and delivering an incredible performance from start to finish. The first set has plenty of highlights, including Cold Rain & Snow, a gritty C. C. Rider, a warm Brown Eyed Women, a lively Minglewood, a heartfelt Looks Like Rain, and a rousing Alabama Getaway > Promised Land sequence.
The second set is what makes this show truly stand out. They break out Uncle John’s Band to open, the first time played since 10/6/1977 (172 shows), and it’s a monster version—no wonder Howard singled it out as a Jam Anthem version. Next comes Estimated Prophet, also a Jam Anthem version, with a long jam that flows into a Caution Jam before moving into He’s Gone > Other One. Out of Space comes a nicely jammed NFA, which segues into the second breakout of the night: Brokedown Palace, last performed on 10/14/1977 (167 shows). They close the set in pure rock and roll fashion with fiery renditions of Around & Around > Johnny B. Goode. But the night isn’t over yet. After a short encore break, they return with a monster, funky Shakedown Street—one of my all-time favorite versions, stretching to nearly 14 minutes. And to top it all off, they finish with an Uncle John’s Band Reprise, completing the song and sealing an absolutely outstanding second set.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1979/12/26
December 27th
12/27/1977 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA - 1st of a 4-show run. This show was added later as a fourth date, and it turned out to be an excellent one. The first set has plenty of highlights, with a rousing Bertha > Good Lovin’, a warm Brown Eyed Women, a beautiful Peggy-O, and a heartfelt Looks Like Rain. Dire Wolf is sweet and playful, Passenger brings intensity, Candyman is soulful, and Friend Of The Devil flows with ease. They wrap it up with a joyful Music Never Stopped that really shines.
The second set is strong from start to finish, but the moments that stand out most for me are the sharp Lazy Lightning > Supplication, a vibrant Scarlet > Fire, and the big jam sequence of He’s Gone > Truckin’ > Wharf Rat > Around & Around, which carries both emotional depth and high energy to close things out.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1977/12/27
12/27/1981 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA - 2nd of a 5-show run. This whole show is excellent, with the second set standing out as especially strong. That said, the first set has plenty to enjoy too, with the band energized and delivering rousing, passionate versions across the board. Highlights for me include Minglewood > Sugaree, a sharp Cassidy, the fun pairing of Deep Elem > C. C. Rider, a sweet Friend Of The Devil, a fiery Passenger, and a tight Deal.
The second set is one long highlight, with a beautiful To Lay Me Down leading into a powerful jam sequence of Playing > Drums > Space > Wheel > Playing > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia, showing the band at their most adventurous and inspired.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1981/12/27
12/27/1986 Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA - 1st of a 4-show run. This is a really awesome show, both in terms of the playing and the set list. I like to think of it as “the Playing show,” since they open and close with Playing In The Band, and even drop in a Playing Jam during the second set for good measure. The first set is strong all the way through, with highlights like Playing > Bertha, a heartfelt Ramble On, a gritty Little Red Rooster, and a beautiful Bird Song.
The second set is packed with standout moments. Mighty Quinn is a blast, and the Dancin’ > Black Muddy River > Playing Jam sequence is both fun and adventurous. From there, Space > Truckin’ > Smokestack Lightning > Comes A Time > Around & Around > Playing makes for an incredible run, closing the night in powerful fashion.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1986/12/27
December 28th
12/28/1978 Golden Hall, Community Concourse, San Diego, CA - 2nd of a 4-show run. This is a fun, energetic show with the band really locked in. The first set starts off with an outstanding 14+ minute Sugaree that just keeps building. Other highlights for me include a lively Beat It On Down The Line, a sweet Dire Wolf, a heartfelt Stagger Lee, and the always enjoyable pairing of Me & My Uncle > Big River. Minglewood brings grit and swagger, while Lazy Lightning > Supplication adds sharp intensity to round things out.
The second set keeps the energy flowing with a funky Shakedown Street, a beautifully jammed Estimated > Eyes, and a powerful Truckin’ > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia sequence that closes the night in style.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1978/12/28
12/28/1979 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA - 3rd of a 3-show run. Officially released on Road Trips Volume 3 Number 1, this closing night at the Oakland Auditorium Arena stands out to me as the best of the three shows. The band was in the middle of a six-night run, with the next three moving over to Winterland for the final New Year’s stretch, but this one feels especially strong from start to finish.
The first set is excellent, with highlights like a powerful Sugaree (Jam Anthem version), a lively Mama Tried > Mexicali, a sweet Row Jimmy, a heartfelt High Time, and a joyful Music Never Stopped.
The second set is packed with standout moments, including the expansive Terrapin > Playing > Drums > Space > Uncle John’s Band > Miracle > Bertha > Good Lovin’ sequence. And to top it all off, the band delivers a double encore with Casey Jones and One More Saturday Night, closing the night in perfect fashion.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1979/12/28
12/28/1986 Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA - 2nd of a 4-show run. The band is in fine form as they return for night two, carrying the same excellent energy from the night before. The first set is outstanding from start to finish, with highlights like Cold Rain & Snow, a gritty Minglewood, and a beautiful Row Jimmy > El Paso sequence. Stagger Lee is delivered with heart, and the run of Box Of Rain > Big RxR Blues > Promised Land is full of drive and passion.
The second set is just as strong, with a vibrant Scarlet > Fire > Looks Like Rain > He’s Gone sequence that flows beautifully. Other One > Black Peter brings depth and emotion, while Sugar Magnolia bursts with energy. The encore of Baby Blue is a perfect, soulful way to close the night.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1986/12/28
12/28/1987 Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA - 2nd of a 4-show run. This is an excellent, high-energy fun-fest, with the band’s energy crackling throughout the night and delivering a killer performance. The first set has plenty of highlights, including a vibrant Stranger > Franklin’s, a soulful Masterpiece > Sugaree, and a fiery Bucket that keeps the momentum strong.
The second set is just as powerful, with a joyful China Cat > I Know You Rider, a lively Women Are Smarter, and a dynamic jam sequence of Wheel > Truckin’ > Smokestack Lightning > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia that closes things out in thrilling fashion.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1987/12/28
12/28/1991 Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA - 2nd of a 4-show run. I call this “the Saturday Night Show,” and the reason is clear when you look at the set list. They open with One More Saturday Night, but instead of finishing it, they segue—somewhat clumsily—into Jack Straw. The transition isn’t the smoothest, but I love the creativity, and it’s a great example of the band breaking away from the formula people often criticize in their later years. That kind of spontaneity is exactly what keeps me hooked. The first set has other strong highlights, including a gritty Minglewood and a sharp Cassidy > Deal sequence.
The second set is packed with standout moments. Foolish Heart shines, and the breakout of Uncle John’s Band > Same Thing (1334 shows since the last time on 12/31/1971!) > Jam is a thrill to hear. The closing run of Standing On The Moon > Throwing Stones > Saturday Night wraps the night up with both emotion and energy.
Music link: https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1991/12/28
BTW, If you're not yet familiar with Jam Anthem versions of songs you can read all about it in Deadology II by Howard Weiner. Check it out here along with all his other great books.
And that's all for now! Of course, if you want to follow along in your very own copy of my book On This Day In Grateful Dead History: A Daily Listening Journal I still have some copies available here. Once they're sold out, I won't be getting any more made. The costs of printing and shipping has almost doubled in the last few years since I had them printed, and I've decided it's just not worth it. So get one now while you can! https://www.gratefuldeadbook.com/tigdh
Peace out my good people. Until next week!
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