Grateful Dead

You had to register for an online lottery, emails were sent to winners on a certain day and if I recall you had a window of time to buy your ticket on Ticketmaster UK. If you didn't act on it, the lottery ran again. Surprisingly, I think it ran about three or four times before all the tickets were gone. Maybe some credit cards were denied, I don't know. I think most everyone got their friends and relatives to register too, in order to increase their chances and then Harvey Goldsmith, the promoter, made some statement after tickets had already gone on sale that the credit card holder had to pick up the tickets (all at will call) in person and put on wrist bands. This caused a huge stink but he finally backed off on that.The process of buying the ticket itself was the easiest part. I logged onto Ticketmaster, bought a single GA floor seat, and logged off. The lottery was the nerve-wracking part, as was the controversy over transferring tickets. Tickets and wristbands were distributed at the venue on Sunday for a Monday show. The lines were alphabetical and mine was particularly long. Not much waiting in the Z line, though. Anyway, when I got to the front a good-natured person handed me my ticket from a plastic tub and put a wrist band on. I think I waited in line about 2 hours. Then I went straight over to the merchandise line and waited another 2 hours but it was worth it to get everyone their Zep t-shirts for Christmas (and mine of course) right then and not have to carry them around on the night of the show. I'm sorry for the long-winded response but the short version is that the actual process of buying the ticket on Ticketmaster UK was pretty painless, it was all the other bs that made things difficult. I had an amazing time though! On the other hand, the process of getting tickets for these Chicago shows, for which I have nothing, has sucked in every way from start to finish. Call me bitter, a hater, or whatever, but I have no problem saying GDTSTOO blew it by leaving so many people uninformed of their status before the TM sale. At least I got my rejection letter early enough, but the people that didn't had a lot of anxiety that they didn't deserve and it also made more competition for tickets on Saturday. I don't believe GDTSTOO did the best they could. The idea of a ticket fairy waving her magic wand over tubs of envelopes is quaint and cute, but if you don't have enough people working on it, hire more, get the job done, and let customers know where they stand. I don't mind bashing Ticketmaster either. They've been in the business for decades and have handled many high-demand, high volume sales. Like some of you, I had a ticket ready to purchase within a couple of minutes, and then the system crashed and I lost it. That's inexcusable, as is the eternal spinning wheel that many of us experienced. They could have anticipated the demand and given better service. Meanwhile, Shapiro is getting text updates at his kid's soccer game and proclaiming that Ticketmaster didn't crash. How would he know, he didn't have to sit in front of his computer and experience the frustration that the rest of us did. I'm not sure what I'll do now, maybe cancel the flight and hotel, maybe wait a bit and see what happens. At least I have the memories, and some recordings, of the shows I attended when Jerry was still with us. I'll end with a positive thought. All of you who got tickets, have a great time!!

If I had a miracle I would give it to you- I don't have a miracle or a ticket for myself despite trying all avenues- And even though I don't I am not spewing hate. I am bummed. I wanted to go as badly as anyone- I wanted to shake my bones one more time with my friends and get the therapy that ONLY comes from a dead show- BUT I am FAR more bummed by all the hate and anger I have seen all over every board. I am particularly saddened by all the people mad at Gdtstoo-- They got a tsunami of envelopes and they did the best they could with it- and in response so many of the people claiming to be "the real fans" who promote "peace and love" gave them a whole bunch of shit for not doing it better/ faster etc... I have always hated the elitist attitude that some heads have - "I am more worthy than thou because I have seen x number of shows"- and boy have I see that all over the place. The Grateful Dead changed my life for the better so many years ago- I would never deny a new fan the chance to have that experience nor would I claim to be more worthy of a show. Tonight I was thinking of the last time I saw The Dead, I think that is what they were calling themselves then- it was in NY at MSG I think - 2008 or 2009 - I believe all original remaining members were there- But that time there was no fighting over getting to that show- I remember my friend Mikey turning to me and saying I think this is the last time Cath, I was so so sad at that moment, but so grateful to have one more show- if that is my last Dead show so be it - it was an amazing show. Peace Turtlestop - hope you get a miracle -

People are pissed! It's amazing to scroll through these posts and see all the angst being poured out onto the screen. I totally get it, and to a certain extent, I totally agree. GDTSTOO was naive to think the current set-up they employ would be adequate. If you tell Heads this is the last hurrah, the final act, you're gonna get an unprecedented response. The CID website was a joke. They let you fill your cart, only to be told on the next screen that there weren't enough beds, and you had to go back and start over! Who bought these packages? I haven't seen any posts here from folks who were successful through CID Ticketbastard was equally frustrating. I feel damn lucky to have gotten a 3 Day pass behind the stage ($203), especially given that half a million people were in line at 8pst. But to see only the worst seats available just a few seconds after 8 was a drag. Do scalpers/brokers really have the ability to hack the system? Wow. At least I'm in, although I feel some genuine guilt because of all the disappointed Heads who aren't (yet) in. But don't give up yet, folks! Think good thoughts! Good luck to all the Heads I've had the pleasure to hang with since 1982.