

- Post reply Log in to post comments235 repliesizzieJoined:Which would it have been? Most life-changing, for whatever reason.
- mrlee718Joined:Madison Square Garden, 1983
My first show was October 11th, 1983 at Madison Square Garden. I was 12 years old and supposed to go with my friend and his older brother, but at the last minute their mom decided they couldn't go due to misconceptions of the band (mostly the name I imagine). Instead I went with my mom and uncle. I loved it and despite my musical tastes taking lots of twists and turns over the years, I've remained a huge Dead fan ever since.
- jeathrayJoined:May 16, 1970: Temple University Stadium. My first live Dead show
My first live Dead show, and it was FREE! It took place literally across the street from my best friend Bob's house. We had just finished our senior year at Temple's Tyler School of Art, but had not had our graduation ceremony yet. The day of the concert we walked over to check it out. We didn't have tickets; they were really expensive for the time: $6.50, and they were not being sold at the gate. So, while we checking out the scene, who turns up but the maintainence men from Tyler School of Art to unclog the Temple Stadium toilets. Since they knew us, we ask them if they can get us in, and they hand us each a toilet plunger and they lead us in. There were several groups: Hendrix, The Dead, Steve Miller Band, Cactus, and I think maybe Country Joe and the Fish. The three piece Steve Miller Band was great, The Dead played a one hour set with abbreviated versions of Casey Jones, Mama Tried, Hard to Handle, China/Rider, New Speedway Boogie, New Minglewood Blues, and ended with a standout Turn on Your Lovelight with Pigpen. As the day went on, it turned gray and started to rain. Philly's fascist police chief at the time, Frank Rizzo, hated "hippies" and had an 11PM curfew in effect. Hendrix was about an hour late coming on stage, and we were all worried that they would shut down the show before he could play. He eventually got on and played a full set. So, I guess I owe The Dead $6.50 plus interest?
- scottjindraJoined:My initial introduction
Dead & Dylan at the Metro Dome in Minneapolis,
Drove up with a few friends, wreaked my car before the show, hitched a ride back to Alpine. Sat in the back of a 69 ford pickup with 8 other people & a cat and couldn't have been a better introduction to the Dead, music and livelihood. I been chasing the music and everything Dead related since. Was at Jerry's wake at the Polo field, and still live in the same frame of mind as being lucky enough to walk into the Hardrock Hotel, Riviera Mayan, while on vacation with my wife and see the Further performance without even knowing that they were in town. (La Bamba)The magic has been amazing and I'm excited to see what happens next. So many stories about the the band, my life and how no matter where I am we are always ready for the music. - georgeIIIJoined:Not my first show ...
I had been to a few shows and listened to more than a handful of tapes, but when a local radio station (in Richmond VA) announced that a band called "Formerly the Warlocks" would be at the Hampton Coliseum (not much over an hour from Richmond) for 2 nights next month, I hesitated but finally decided to get tickets. The first night (10/8/89) was far and away the best concert that I had ever attended in my life (and I was 37 YO at the time). The second night was better. I was on the bus to stay from then on, regretting that it had taken me so long to reserve a seat.
- TonsOfSteelJoined:Summer Jam at Watkins Glen…
Summer Jam at Watkins Glen. 12 hour ride from Rhode Island in a breaking down 65 Ford on acid. Closing down the NY State Thruway both ways. The overrun town with all the cool citizens. The Dead set on Friday night. The magic amphibious bus. The wells for water. The resultant mud from the wells. Watching the dancers in the mud. An unfortunate parachutist. Trading a pack of Marlboro's for 10 Black Beauty's. Beautiful people. Did I mention the Frog acid? The Band and the Allman Brothers. Those were the days......
- DannyMackJoined:First show; Dave's Picks-worthy Shows
My first show was 10-1-76 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. Several shows during this wonderful timeframe have been released, but I believe 10-1-76 merits its own release. Another show worthy of Dave's Picks consideration is the last night of a 3-night run at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago shortly before In the Dark was released (sorry I can't give you the date-I'm at work). They played a good part of the album that night, plus a Bo Diddly beat permeated the show, earning it the nickname "The Bo Diddly Show". It was awesome!
- jukeboxjim777Joined:1st show was Jerry, on the…
1st show was Jerry, on the evening news, talking about how the planets were going to align. I think I was seven or eight. Something about that name Grateful Dead caught my attention, not the news, as playing outside was more important at the time. I though Jerry was kind of a cosmic person. It's been unfolding like a road map melting into a dream with a waterfall over my back ever since that broadcast of that small T.V. on the back of the Mars Hotel Album.
The first musical show was in 91. I noticed an opening at one of the gates at the Coliseum as the gaurd had to attend to some person tripping out. So, like a lead goose I grabbed a bunch of people to my right and left and in a V formation lead us up the stairs to an opening into the venue. I expected to see a bunch of people in the stands. Instead there were deadheads with mile long streamers running on the track. While the field was filled with dancing and daisy chains of people passing glass and all sorts of things around to see into the future. This was cooler than the 84 Olympics.
We were the only people in the stands! Last Row. To the point where I thought the boys were pointing to us at the back row.... nah it couldn't be, as it was just "One More Saturday Night" for everybody. Well Thank God for the for the 15 or twenty minutes of an unexpected venture into the cosmos. It was a fun night.