5552 comments
sort by
Recent
Reset
Items displayed
  • claney
    9 years 11 months ago
    Happy 50th (and New Years)
    Well, perhaps anti-climactic, but honestly it is just about what I expected. And it's perhaps appropriate not to start with new "product." I mean, wow, 50 years! Congratulations and thank you to Dave, Norman, Nick, Mary, Mark, Dr. Rhino, Bolo (!), Blair, David Dodd, David Gans, Dick, Eileen, the fantastic artists, the band members, all the original tapers, and...the Deadheads. The legacy of this band (and yes, legacy - that is not a dirty word in it's original connotation) is historically signficant. I love that fact that you can go to Olompali and read a historical marker that talks about the Indians who lived there, AND Dead's summer residency there. The Dead are a signpost to the idea that history is more than kings and presidents, generals and wars - it can be music and joy and dancing. Things in history matter when people DECIDE that they matter. And when that history is preserved. And this history has been largely preserved in the words of people like Blair, in the Vault, by the band members continuing to create (check out Mickey's work on cosmology and the brain). Okay, I admit, I was kind of hoping for some kind of revelation about something like the Betty Boards. But I'm trying to focus on the milestone first... Also. I need more coffee. Anyway, Happy 50th everyone!
  • fourwindsblow
    9 years 11 months ago
    Here's some advise
    If your trying to pull in a younger demographic 'they don't like to wait'. Six months waiting for the clock to expire and no announcement of what's coming for the 50th. Well maybe in a couple more weeks, hopefully, but by then the younger demographic will have forgotten all about this 50th announcement. This company is more secretive than North Korea.
  • mbarilla
    9 years 11 months ago
    Announcement for Announcement ??
    Well they did change the graphic. Yippppyyy !!! A few more weeks of waiting for news in this cold Midwest weather. A little sunshine and less daydream from the folks at Rhino could have taken some sting out of the cold with a pre-order for something on January 1st. They sure do run a tight ship over at Rhino. Talk about anti-climatic. I guess I'll make my way over to the Tapers section were the real goods are at. Free music and not much fluff
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 9 months
Body Block
<? // pull in news from "50th Anniversary" feature type taxonomy $news = views_embed_view('story_lists', 'block_50news'); echo $news; ?>

Grateful Dead Original Members Add Two Dates To Final Concerts

April 10, 2015

The original members of Grateful Dead have announced two additional shows at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on June 27th and 28th, as part of their “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” run. Along with the three shows at Chicago's Soldier Field on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, the run will mark the original members' last-ever performances toget

Custom Sidebar

Shop the 50th Store»

,

Facebook

body .rhinoSocialWidget .rhinoWidgetInner { padding:0; } body .rhinoSocialWidget { margin:0; } body .rhinoSocialWidget .rhinoWidgetInner .posting { padding:0; } ,

Free Grateful Dead Art

Check in throughout the year for new additions!

Display on homepage featured list
Off

dead comment

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

just checked into some sites for tickets from vividticket etc...laugh out loud, 2 grand for two tickets for one night show, this is a joke. Sorry folks, but lets try and liven it up a bit worst case scenario Bobby falls down Phil asks Jill what to play Mickey throws a drumstick at Billy Billy throws a kickdrum at Mickey Trey is wasted and can only play split open and melt Bruce loses his voice Jeff will only take direction from Bobby, who fell down earlier 10,000 cops at stadium, all with that look in their eyes and all want to relive the 68 democratic convention 2000 pickpockets lift all the lsd from all the heads on the third and try and resell it on the 4th Fireworks scheduled for after the shows get wet from all the rain and won't go off massive traffic jam causes the shows to be rescheduled for a later date, to be announced later It's all a dream and it's not really happening this way Best case scenario: The band decides they can do this and stop the silly three night only thing and do a full summer tour and hit all the stops along the way. Bobby is fit and singing like he can Phil leaves Jill at home Mickey, Billy and Jeff do rhythm devils and all is right with the world Trey cancels and they decide on the mark Karan/Steve Kimock paring to fill Jerry's shoes Bruce is in fine voice and nails all the Jerry parts the city of Chicago lets us camp in the lot and leaves us alone a stash of Owsley acid is found and we all get dosed Hey, I can dream can't I?
user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

if you check the ticket sites, GDTS got some nice seats reserved for their share of the ticket allotment, the rest went to ticket master stubhub etc..., you will have one more chance to get a ticket at face on the 28th of this month, good luck to all who go this way, but I see most of these tickets bought up by scalpers and the cost will make it prohibitive to make the show. With the reselling of these tickets for such a price, only the rich and elite will be there, plastic hippie wantabe's that will say during "Space" "what are they doing? sounds like a bunch of noise to me"
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Surely you jest; I know, don't call me Shirley.. Hey Sir Unkle, we don't know what's up, and we can only speculate. I agree that it is gonna be tough getting tickets thru Ticketmaster. I'll go that route if my mailbox is the repository of an early letter from GDTS. Before that we have the VIP and Travel packages...yes, they will be expensive, but if it is a choice between the mortgage or tickets, I'll choose tickets....for the mortgage comes around every month, and the GD and family, well...although they use to come around monthly or so. it's been a couple decades since I was part of that scene. I agree, there will be rich young ones there..that's okay, and space is noise, but it's "our" noise...and it gives us a chance to educate the young-uns,especially if they have "...rings on their fingers and bells on their toes..." Peace and best wishes to you...and I hope you score those golden tickets one way or another. G
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

First of all , I am captivated by the the pleading , bitching, worrisome, enlightened,wise,& even angry people on this thread. I tune in every 3 or 4 days to catch up on the fun. I think the shows might be less entertaining than this thread(just kidding) but really ENTERTAINMENT is why we are here & entertainers are very well paid( at least the successful ones).The Grateful Dead are entertainers(who paid their dues as someone has mentioned), as one of the best, you must expect high cost, & it's up to each & everyone of us,to decide if it's worth it & how much are you willing to spend to be entertained by the line-up they are presenting to you.Take it or leave it ,your choice. You think it's worth $500 or $5000 to be there,it's your choice. I think anyone whose life was effected by the boys , would want to "take that ride one more time" I know,I would, but I didn't make any commitment to be there,if I find myself there, so be it. One good thing is with all this hype I been dusting of the live shows & been reliving the great times I had, because of The Dead( I even subscribed to Dave's pick's for the 1st time). The bottom line is they are the entertainers & it's their trip-show & if they only play 3 shows,& that's how they want to go out,more power to them!!! They should make a mighty $ on it & remember all of you bitching about this mail order, you're lucky you have the dead family making it available to you,cause they were the pioneers behind mail order tix,as well as so many other things in the music business; traveling circus, bringing their own PA on the road, top of the line sound & lights. So you all could be out their in the freezing cold ( February)waiting in line for a chance to get a tix from ticketmaster alongside of the scalpers ( who if you don't pay their outrageous prices,they'll lose $ on the deal). Everything is up to you, choose what makes you happy ,what you feels it's worth. How's that commercial go? Something's are just Priceless ! Peace , love & happiness have no monetary value.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

Checked my mail. Got all my mail orders back. I have been attending Dead concerts since 1971. I was at the second to the last Jerry show in Chicago. Needless to say, a very sad day for me.
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

hey yirr52, man , I'm so sorry to that that. I too have had the great pleasure of listening to the Dead live since the early 70's. I've held off going to the post office yesterday and today to avoid disappointment, but you know what? I' heading there now cause we gotta be in this together, brother. Keep the faith, keep the songs close in your heart, and look at plan B and C, cause that's what a lot of us are gonna have to do...and let the river sing sweet songs to rock your soul... peace, g
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

So scalpers these days are selling tickets they don't have. If you see tickets for sale right now the person who is selling them does not have tickets. They are betting that they will be able to get tickets in the future cheaper than they are able to sell them today. That's why if you look to buy some today the fine print says "seller has 30 days to ship tickets." It's similar to buying options on stocks, and there is a risk of both the seller and the buyer getting burned, so buyer beware!!! Good luck everyone.
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

although I feel guilty laughing when Hitler and his cronies are on screen. Funny stuff.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

I got my money orders back today... Have a room, booked a flight, need a miracle. Time for plan B, whatever that may be.Good luck to you all.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Bummer.. Did u send your mail order in on 20th and what did you request? Any explanation for being rejected? I wonder when the filled ticket orders will be sent back, anyone know?
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Are there any trends with these rejections? Are they postmarked on the 20th? Do they have Artwork on them? Are their particular seating requests (type or amount) that are being favored over others? I know this is overthinking this, but I'm sure we are all on the same page here. "Someone's got to turn the page"
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Hopefully there is no logic other than doing it correctly. Hopefully no-one is getting favored. If you did it right, you should have a fair shot. If you f#¢ked up, start praying. Good luck!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Has anyone received a pink letter having sent in their mail order with a January 20th postmark?
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

pawns in the game of life. such shenanigans. My advice is to go a remote location, set up camp, and listen to GD.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

I sent in my ticket request for all 3 nights...we wanted the $215 floor or bowl seats. After the office got deluged, they eliminated the floor seats. Guess what - my ticket request was denied. I didn't write "or anything" because just as in the "old days" I naively believed I'd get them. My bad. Since the mail order started with the Warfield in '82, I've never been locked out. Times are changing - they changed the rules midstream and I lost out. This is SO unfair. I guess the $215 seats are now going to the CID money grab and the price is jacked to $500. Nothing left to do but whine whine whine.
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

You know im 42, and feel im basically one of the younger deadheads being 14 when I saw first show. Ticket or no ticket, i got to get to the parking lot.. I have no been so excited simce my last child born, lol.. Well maybe a little..It's got us all acting and feeling like kids again, the feeling i will get the minute i drive into soilder field on july3.. Thinking out loud , probably have to get in line early to even get into stadium. They probably wont allow cars without proper tickets. Anyway all, waiting like a kid waiting for Santa! GDTRFB!
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Whine, whine , whine.. You had me LMAO!Im sorry to hear, i beliee tuat will be case for majority of us.. Peace brother!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Was your order postmarked on the 20th? Just curious as the original announcement mentioned first come first served with the postmark defining when you arrived. I am wondering if anyone has received the pink curse with a 1/20/15 post mark
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

I remember the days of climbing fences to get into concerts.. This thing going to end up having me climbing a fence just to get in parking lot???Wowzers, that's a debbie downer!! I got 5 months to figure out, maybe i bring a shovel and dig a tunnel for all the heads under soilder field. !!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

I'll help u dig that ditch high standard.
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

My friend sent for us requesting 4 tickets to the Saturday show. He put in money orders for 3 separate price levels and wrote "any" and it was post marked on the 20th. If we don't get any then we don get any but I would love to go!
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Totally agree. It's like Christmas when you're a kid. No other band could ever have this effect. Truly shows how this is such a phenomenon we are all a part of. That post about digging a hole into the stadium!!! Riot. So funny!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

TJKane28, yes, my envelope was postmarked on the 2oth. I even had it hand stamped so the date showed clearly. "Good" seats were eliminated, and so was my order :(
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Well, if I don't get tickets at least I'll have bail $$$$$
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

It's been changing a lot. Not really sure what is going on. They took the seating chart down and re-worked it. Once they put the seating chart back up, or explain more on their website, we should have these answers. But until then, it's really hard to say
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Yes, if we are putting the pieces together and deducing that the reserved higher priced seats were removed from the "ticket pool" and that you only requested the higher priced seats, and now are left with nothing, then I agree with the other posts that such a move is really, really, crappy! Especially if you had the 1/20/15 post mark.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

Velveteen, yes! It's definitely different from days of yore. The original seating chart had a GA Pit, and behind that were seats on the field, which was what we were hoping for. When they got so many ticket requests, mostly for GA I guess, they decided to eliminate the field seats and turn the entire field into GA, which allowed a LOT more people into the stadium. Moving target, indeed.
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

I hear ya. It's obvious they did not prepare or expect what has happened so far. So in the spirit of the band, yes, they are being true to their "Improvisation", "Figure it our as we go along" method. They are trying to fulfill as many orders as possible, and by opening up more GA floor, that will help their effort. But if by doing that they also shut out the Mail Order ticket requests of $215 level, then that would be deceptive and unfortunate for all of us who put in for that ticket level. It just shows how 3 shows to cap 50 years of this phenomenon we all love so much is really tough. The band spent all those years recruiting their audience city by city, and now so many of those fans spanning generations are trying to congregate in a stadium that can only fit a portion of those fans. Interesting little social experiment goin on
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Beautifully decorated envelope sent in on the 20th. Requested 1 GA for all three nights. In retrospect should have covered more bases.Received a form letter with a drawing of a sack of mail, explaining demand was too great- and my three money orders, thanking me for keeping Grateful Dead spirit alive. "PO BOX 456 Stinson Beach CA" stamped at return address on envelope under where I had optimistically written "miracle". Naively went for GA thinking I would have two more shots at tickets.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 4 months
Permalink

mortatone- couldn't agree more! wondering if I get my wish or a lump of coal
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Not today. Just bills and a pre approved credit card. Oooohhhh, maybe I'll max it out on some VIP tickets. Now there's a though!!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Haven't yet commented on these Dead50 shows.....but just a few thoughts to share.It's nice to see much of the bitching and complaining about the lineup, venue, timing, cost, etc ad nauseum, dissipate a bit. Now it comes down to a concern about scoring tickets. So I'm in that boat too. One of my tour group got his mail order rejection back....he did everything right except for not including stamps on his SASE (though he did include the $9.00 for priority mail). Seems picky but reason enough to be rejected I reckon. Agree with velveteen....this is a tough social experiment to wrap up 50 yrs of this unique experience with 3 shows where only the lucky ones will have access to. Makes me grateful to have been born around the right time....enough to catch Jerry and a fair share of amazing shows. I'm thinking the band had to know demand would be like this and its tough that many in the tribe will be shut out. Perhaps could have been done with more grace and inclusiveness. I want all of the family to be there. And so, it reminds me of the later years where the bands popularity and scene got too big for its own good. Quite the ride it has been! And I'm hoping for one more miracle to come my way. Good luck everyone. These are going to be amazing epic shows for those who make it.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

It seems it is just a lottery, but not sure how they are coming up with rejects. One would think that they would pick those who would receive tickets and then those left would not get tickets. This seems to be working the opposite. They could not have already picked out all those selected to receive tickets. I am not going to have any hard feelings if I receive a rejection-- lots of requests sent in. Not everyone could get tickets through mail order-- them's just the facts. If we don't get mail order, will just have to try to get them through Ticketmaster. The only thing I wish they would do is address some of the rumors floating about-- taking the high reserves off the table, for example. Some kind of update on the GDTSTOO website would be welcome indeed.
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

I had thought that a good place to start for rejecting requests would be from the envelopes that requested multiple nights. They could have pared down the number of total requests by omitting say 2 nights of 3 nights worth of requests. That way more people can go, but less people will be able to go to multiple shows. But who knows, maybe it would have created a lot more work to do it that way.
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

I saved the link to the original seating chart which showed location and price levels. (Rounding off here) $200, $150, $100, $80, and $60. Five levels! I went to the Ticketmaster site. They are listing only two price levels: $72 and $215. Also, their Soldier Field seating chart does not have Grateful Dead on the drop down menu. I know $100 (pit) tickets are now mail order only according to Dead50. Who can verify the whole field will now be GA? So why only two price levels offered from Ticketmaster? My heart will be racing each day I check the mail. Not sure it can endure a Ticketmaster rejection if I receive a gdtstoo rejection.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 1 month
Permalink

I can see it going something like this: GDTS TOO employee grabs a random envelope. 1) Does the envelope have a postal stamp of 1/20/15? If no return money orders with rejection letter and return to step one. If yes, check the envelope. 2) Is everything in order down to the last little thing? If no, return money orders with rejection letter and return to step one. If yes; 3) Are the tickets requested available? If yes, fill the order and set aside. All filled orders go out at once at the end. If no, return money orders with rejection letter and return to step one. Repeat this process until all tickets are gone. Return remaining money orders with rejection letters.
user picture

Member for

9 years 10 months
Permalink

And then they get to choose which tickets you would get and return the unused money orders? I thought that's how it was supposed to be submitted but I'm reading several people requested only one price level. That might be one reason for rejection.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

makes some sense to keep so much conflicting information about tickets out there, if we're confused imagine how the non-deadheads trying to turn a buck on tickets must be feeling. Maybe the confusion is really in our best interest, set up a smoke screen and a distraction, have a prankster doin' a jig with a penny whistle on the right while we all sneak off to the left! Ya if you wanted to take the risk and get only a specific price ticket you out one m.o. if you are willing to take any you place money orders of the differences between price points and label any, I was willing to just get in the door and knew it would be a shit show for tickets so I put in the full stepped m.o.'s for the best chance of atleast putting feet on the floore
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Their instructions definitely suggested including multiple money orders to cover the cost of GA and the difference between GA and reserved tickets to maximize the mailer's possibility of securing tickets. I reread the dead50 page and it does say there is the original GA Pit and a second GA section on the field-- this is definitely different from the original setup.
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

I think you might be right fobaxax. Given the examples we have seen, all we can do at this point is hope and pray we get lucky. Cause it's really hard to say how the Ticketmaster sale will go. At this point, I'm just hoping for an Althea...
user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months
Permalink

Getting to the lot is doable, but parking is limited next to the stadium. Personal preference is to park in the downtown or remote park district lots. Easy walk from either thru the park to Soldier Field. There are fences between Lake Shore Drive and the arena parking but access via the park is open.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Given the number of people who have received rejections for properly completed mail orders, do people think it's safe to conclude that you'll get tickets if you haven't received a rejection??
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

Full moon tonight everyone! Here in the north east where i am it's coming up over 10 inches of snow and it's brilliant!!! hoooooowwwwwwllll! hoooowww , hoooooooowwwwwwlllll !!!! get out and check it out. it was pretty enough to take my mind off these dam tickets for a moment. it's big and beautiful tonight!