![]() No, on this night, the band instead borrowed heavily from others and their back catalogue. The group did play their now affectionately known “hit single” twice during their five-show stint but not on this night. Perhaps more comfortable in open-top amphitheatres than in mega-venues, The Grateful Dead harnessed their relatively new found fame off the back of ‘Touch of Grey’ to get themselves a five-show run at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The Big Time 18th September, 1987 at Madison Square Garden, New York Perhaps already well aware of Blues for Allah potential the group were sure to have the performance recorded and later released as One from the Vault a sumptuous live album. It also saw the band perform some Johnny Cash number and Chuck Berry. Garcia and Weir are almost jubilant with energy performing ‘Help on the Way’, ‘Franklin’s Tower’ and ‘The Music Never Stopped’ among others. There’s a palpable pride in everything they perform as they showcase the new record. Recorded at an intimate record-release party for the new album Blues for Allah - easily one of the band’s best studio albums - The Grateful Dead prove why every single minute off the road and focusing on their craft was worth it. ![]() The show is also remembered as one of McKernan’sfinal with the band after he tragically died in March 1973 at just 27-years-old. ![]() While they were more than underwhelming at that iconic festival they gave those cold and wet masses in attendance of this ropey festival saw the group performing at a blistering level. It largely made up for their disappointing set at Woodstock in 1969. In the middle of their Europe ’72 tour, the band were firing on all cylinders, it is some of their finest moments on the continent. With a stellar line-up, the group took to the stage as ferocious headliners. This is the scene that welcomed The Grateful Dead in 1972.Īrriving at Bickershaw Festival near Wigan in England in that year they did so with a fearsome reputation as one of the best live bands around. When those festivals take place in late spring in the country’s foggy North West, then it’s almost guaranteed you’ll arrive at the said festival and instead find the finest bog. If you’ve ever attended a festival in England then you’ll be well aware that far from the sunshine filter of Coachella, most are clogged in the mud. ![]() The Grateful Dead arrive in… Wigan 7th May, 1972 at Bickershaw Festival, Wigan, England ![]() Valentine’s Day in 1968, the audience at Carousel got a double dose of it. A libertine attitude to music’s darkest rock and roll backed up with the intellectualism of psychedelia. The band’s second album still stands out today as one of the most perfect distillations of the counter-culture movement that swelled around San Francisco and which the Dead were firmly in the middle of. The Beat poet and writer had only passed away a few days prior and his spirit was honoured by a group doubtless influenced by his work.Īs well as paying homage to the fallen wordsmith, Garcia and the group also performed a string of songs from their new upcoming album Anthem of the Sun, including ‘New Potato Caboose’, as well as Bob Weir’s ‘Born Cross Eyed’. “We respectfully dedicate this set to the memory of Neal Cassady…” said Jerry Garcia when the band approached their second set at the Carousel Ballroom in their natural home of San Francisco. In tribute to Neal Cassady February 14th, 1968 at Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco ![]()
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