50 Unforgettable Grateful Dead Concerts 

Jerry’s phrasing, feel and scope is incredible

When listing the band members, I notice you omitted T.C., Tom Constanten, another Keyboardist from the late 60's and very early 70's. Got to see him at a solo show in my hometown in the mid-90's, and I had the opportunity to talk with him for about ten minutes, and got him to sign an album of Classical music he had made and was selling at he show. It now hangs on my wall. Don't sleep on T.C..

Love many (but not ALL) of the Dicks Picks and Daves Picks. I grew up in Port Chester NY and caught the Dead (along with many other bands...at the ripe old age of 16) at the Capitol Theater. One of the few of the original "Rock Palaces" that is STILL a working working rock palace. Also caught the "Wake of the Flood" tour in college in '73. That's when I "boarded the bus".

Good stuff! Big fan!

I was at the Uni Dome show in ‘78 in Cedar Falls, IA. The second set was pure magic! They opened it with Samson & Delilah, but when Ace stepped up to sing the first verse, his mic malfunctioned, emitting no sound. After a bar Jerry stepped up & ripped off a 3 minute solo that set the tone for the rest of the show. Scarlet>Fire, Truckin>Drums>Other One>Wharf Rat>Around and Around, with a Johnny B. Goode encore. What a memory. ✌️❤️✌️

I basically agree.. but I would extend it from 71 (starting with the Capitol Theater concerts) and ending in 81 (Nassau and Garden concerts). Also love the R&R doco "Festival Express" from 1970. Garcia talks a lot in that one...

This guy gets it.

They peaked in the 1980s man. The early 1980s was the best years of their lives and they were still creating new exiting fresh music! Reckoning 1980 is the single greatest acoustic rock album ever recorded. Ever, by any band. It preceded an entire "unplugged" movement. It defines acoustic rock to this day! Althea came with Go to Heaven in the early 80s, one of the most important tunes in the entire catalog! Lost Sailor Saint of Circumstance is every bit as good as any songs Bob ever wrote! Sure, the jazzy, hazy, way stoned 1970s was cool but it also saw them breakup. It was not the peak by any means. Nor was the youthful lsd fueled freak out of the 1960s. Sure the 1990s became somber but it was still happening on some level sometimes. But, from 1980 to 1990 was the peak of the Grateful Dead and that's just facts.

I appreciate Ray's Essays in the Dave's Picks Liner Notes. - Actually like him Better after this interview. Not surprised he studied Philosophy - that comes through in his essay's. Gonna Buy his Book for sure. -- Saw he GD 123 times Between 85-95. Have over 400 shows in my Vast Collection.. But right now its Summertime & I'm going down to The River & Smokey Smoke...

I love 80's Dead, not just because that' the time period (1983) that I started seeing them, but they were more rocking and a little less jazzy, and I'm all about it...don't get me wrong, I love all periods (even the '90's), but Brent Mydland's playing really sparked the band.

Micky wasn't in the original quintet.

Bullshit this guy is a joke??? The best period has late 80's Spring 90! They had many great periods...68-69...72-75...89-90. This guy isn't a head, Brent brought the new sounds. Jerry loved the new sounds and to explore improv. The Dark Star from the Warlocks show would melt your mind...if you're a fan you have your periods. After Brent died Jerry faded because he lost the partner that challenged him. Keith got lame on the piano.

Another hack writer who thinks he knows the Grateful Dead. There is not a single show from 93 that has Garcia falling asleep onstage. Every deadhead knows there's value in every show.

You're not an expert!