Grateful Dead

Great story!!!********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens

Even though I never saw a NYE show, that story makes me feel like I was there. Thanks!!!! And have a happy and healthy New Year

Back in 1977, my girlfriend (now wife), myself, and two buddies decided to roadtrip from Nebraska to the old Winterland for the New Year's Eve shows in SanFrancisco. It was the ultimate 'roadtrip' and we drove 28 hours to get to there and then secured tickets for the run (12/27-29-30-31-77). The shows were unbefuckinliveable (see DP # 10 for a taste). Winterland was a such a great hall, with an elevated balcony that circled the whole place. It was big enough for a great crowd and small enough to be an intimate showcase for the Dead to delight us. The Dead had been touring all summer and treating us to the new stuff from Terrapin Station and we were all revelling in that Scarlet>Fire combo. On the 31st, we were sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open, talking and watching the circus, sharing and laughing and ready to hurry and get in for the 'activities' ie. freak volleyball and movies. Bill Graham decided on some movies for us as we waited for that night's show. Ray Bradbury's Illustrated Man and the original Beatles Magical Mystery Tour were Bill's picks for that afternoon. When each person walked through the entrance the staff handed us a piece of paper that had a message about a "surprise at midnight". So, I happily gained entrance to the show and needless to say, it was somethingelse. First the volleyball followed by the movies and watching the colorful and wonderful crowd. Then noticing 'Rainbow Rose" walking from group to group, offering liquid party favor in her little Visene bottle and informing "just one dollar per drop. On your tongue, or for the adventurous, a drop in your eye". At the Winterland there was a bar, where there was one of those first big 'projector' TV's and playing on it were these great shows from Bill's Winterland 'vault': Airplane, Janis, Jimi, etc, a fantastic selection of prior shows from that venue for those to enjoy while they imibed. The New Riders of the Purple Sage started the show and rocked the house. Anticipation was high and the Dead came out and they were in high gear. It was a rapid first set (or seemed like it anyway. Especially that set-ending Lazy Lightning> Supplication. They took a break and the surprise for the second half was when the Dead all came onstage and started 'tuning" loudly and a spotlight bathed the back wall of the Winterland. Uncle BoBo (as Bobby liked to call Graham) was dressed up as Uncle Sam on a motorcycle, started sliding down from a cable suspended high from the back of the hall slowly toward the stage. They put spotlights on him and we heard the roaring of motorcycle engine along with the Dead. As 'Uncle Sam' slid down towards the stage (along with furious Dead noodling) and it became hilarious because the weight of the bike and BoBo was too much. He was hanging sideways below the the front of the stage and the roadies were laughing their asses off as they had to drag him onstage. And then the massive explosion of Sugar Magnolia as the ballons dropped from the ceiling and then the loinclothed 'baby' New Years (a male and a female) caome dancing out on the stage. As the ballons were batted up and down with the increasing pace and velocity of Sugar Magnolia that segued> Scarlet>Fire. Then Truckin'>Wharf Rat>drums>NFA>Around and they finished us off with One More Saturday Night>Casey Jones. Needless to say my face was hurting due to constant grin on my face that night. We stumbled out into the early morning and we were driving in the car, with the fog rolling in off the bay, I just marvelled at what we had witnessed, experienced, and participated in. The unbridaled joy of those shows with the Grateful Dead, and how the Dead kept beaming back at us what we were shining at them. Happy New Year to you all.

Happy New Year Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

To my dead family in SF and abroad, I bid the well and good health. To my blood family visiting others in Minnesota. The house is too quiet and I have run out of happy pills. Hurry home, I miss you. My feast is online as I drink red wine. Alone this time, last grape on the vine HI HO Diamondfire

now playing nye83 from eurovine 6 Bob- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

my first show, 12/31/80, though it's not considered one of the all-time greats, and 12/31/81, which as far as I'm concerned is, though back in the day I had James Olness make my tapes starting with the Joan Baez set closer Banks of the Ohio and skip the rest of her set. Once was plenty for stuff like "Children of the '80s" and "What About Lady Di?"

anyone got a fav New Year show thay want to let us know about I have a soft spot for the Etta James Show 82? Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

7 and a bit hours to go here Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

To all Dead,net friends!! Peace!