• https://www.dead.net/features/bill-kreutzmann/grateful-dead-original-members-perform-together-again-one-last-time
    Grateful Dead Original Members To Perform Together Again One Last Time

    Grateful Dead Original Members Reunite to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

    “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" at Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2015

    Marks the Grateful Dead Members' Final Performance Together

    Event information available at Dead50.net

    To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grateful Dead, the four original members — Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir — will reunite at Chicago's Soldier Field, nearly 20 years to the day of the last Grateful Dead concert, which took place at the same venue. “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" will occur over three nights on July 3, 4, and 5, 2015, marking the original members' last-ever performance together. The band will be joined by Trey Anastasio (guitar), Jeff Chimenti (keyboards), and Bruce Hornsby (piano). The group will perform two sets of music each night.

    Jerry Garcia's daughter Trixie Garcia announced the shows in an exclusive interview. You can check out her announcement here.

    Joining the original members of Grateful Dead are three musicians who have embodied the band’s spirit of musical innovation throughout their eclectic careers. Guitarist Trey Anastasio is best known for his work as the principal songwriter and lead guitarist for touring juggernaut Phish, but he has also found time to score and arrange music for orchestras and Broadway productions such as “Best Musical” TONY nominee ‘Hands on a Hardbody.’ Pianist Bruce Hornsby had already won the first of his three Grammy Awards when he first guested with Grateful Dead in 1988. Following the death of the band’s keyboard player Brent Mydland in 1990, Hornsby toured with the group into 1992, and he has maintained a collaborative relationship with its members ever since. Bay Area native and jazz keyboardist Jeff Chimenti joined Bob Weir’s Rat Dog in 1997, and has since worked on projects such as Phil Lesh & Friends, The Other Ones, The Dead, and Furthur.

    In the tradition of the original Grateful Dead Ticketing Mail Order, tickets will first be made available via a first-come, first-served mail order system. All additional ticketing information is available at Dead50.net.

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    misterduke
    9 years 9 months ago
    memories....
    First saw the Dead back in '72 in Long Beach when I was in high school. Not because I was a fan of the Dead, but because we liked to go to concerts. Plus the Dead by that time had been playing for "forever", and this was surely one of the last times they would play as they were obviously over the hill... Only songs I was familiar with at time were Sugar Mag and Casey Jones (and they managed to play both that night.) After the music stopped and the lights came on, we headed out the door, satisfied. Luckily some older guy came running after us screaming "Wait! That was only the first set!" WOW! You mean there would be MORE?
  • tfonts
    9 years 9 months ago
    Grateful Dead tickets going for $116,000 on StubHub
    I mean really gang - WTF are we gonna do? Fore those of us who struck-out on M.O., CID and TicketBastard, how are we ever gonna get in the building? I guess the sobering reality is that after 50 years, there's a bunch of Grateful Dead loving fans that have wheel barrows of cash and if you have the money, well, you're show-bound. http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/03/media/grateful-dead-tickets/
  • ladnarc
    9 years 9 months ago
    party til the money runs out
    Had a lot of moneyHad a lot of friends They had a lot of big ideas About my money And how to spend Party til the money runs out If you want to know who your real friends are Party til the money runs out ~Ed Volker~
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Grateful Dead Original Members Reunite to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

“Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" at Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2015

Marks the Grateful Dead Members' Final Performance Together

Event information available at Dead50.net

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grateful Dead, the four original members — Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir — will reunite at Chicago's Soldier Field, nearly 20 years to the day of the last Grateful Dead concert, which took place at the same venue. “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" will occur over three nights on July 3, 4, and 5, 2015, marking the original members' last-ever performance together. The band will be joined by Trey Anastasio (guitar), Jeff Chimenti (keyboards), and Bruce Hornsby (piano). The group will perform two sets of music each night.

Jerry Garcia's daughter Trixie Garcia announced the shows in an exclusive interview. You can check out her announcement here.

Joining the original members of Grateful Dead are three musicians who have embodied the band’s spirit of musical innovation throughout their eclectic careers. Guitarist Trey Anastasio is best known for his work as the principal songwriter and lead guitarist for touring juggernaut Phish, but he has also found time to score and arrange music for orchestras and Broadway productions such as “Best Musical” TONY nominee ‘Hands on a Hardbody.’ Pianist Bruce Hornsby had already won the first of his three Grammy Awards when he first guested with Grateful Dead in 1988. Following the death of the band’s keyboard player Brent Mydland in 1990, Hornsby toured with the group into 1992, and he has maintained a collaborative relationship with its members ever since. Bay Area native and jazz keyboardist Jeff Chimenti joined Bob Weir’s Rat Dog in 1997, and has since worked on projects such as Phil Lesh & Friends, The Other Ones, The Dead, and Furthur.

In the tradition of the original Grateful Dead Ticketing Mail Order, tickets will first be made available via a first-come, first-served mail order system. All additional ticketing information is available at Dead50.net.

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TALKIN' ABOUT "FARE THEE WELL: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF GRATEFUL DEAD"

“I have a feeling this will come out just right. Can’t wait to find out…HERE WE GO!” - Mickey Hart

"The Grateful Dead lived an incredible musical story and now we get to write a whole new chapter. By celebrating our 50th, we get to cheer our past, but this isn't just about history. The Grateful Dead always played improvisational music that was born in the moment and we plan on doing the same this round." - Bill Kreutzmann

“It is with respect and gratitude that we reconvene the Dead one last time to celebrate - not merely the band's legacy, but also the community that we’ve been playing to, and with, for fifty years,” - Phil Lesh "Wave that flag, wave it wide and high…"

"Lookin' forward to this one, oh boy, you bet. Let's see just how much fun we can have this 4th of July." - Bob Weir<

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11 years 7 months
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I feel your pain man, shut out both as well. Don't let it get you down too much, after two sleepless nights, I am slowly feeling better. Rest assured, that not all douchebags are getting in. There are a lot of great people (on this site) that have tix and they are part of the family. Only the floor and behind the stage will be filled with trustafarians. The rest of us will be outside in the parking lot where we have always been.
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9 years 9 months
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Maybe David Gans, the world’s greatest groupie will find a way to miracle us in the show. But I doubt it. It’s a shame to get a shakedown by your favorite band. The Grateful Dead was Jerry, the rest of these guys just want to pad their checking accounts before riding off into the sunset. Now maybe we know why Garcia often questioned his involvement in the band. I hope some of you out there don’t pay for these over priced tickets. It goes against everything the DEAD said they stood for. Shame, shame , shame
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10 years 3 months
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So is it me or is GDTS not telling us if they are completly done with tickets? based on their 2/23 post.. they just post this about how great the sellout was but wheres my Letter? wheres my MO wheres my Ticket email? this is the latest from them on Saturday... im really being patient but having a hard time understanding their logic! Thank you to all of the Deadheads for the amazing support that you have shown for the Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago! This morning you broke Ticketmaster’s on-sale record when nearly half a million of you queued up to buy tickets online. If you do not have tickets, please know that we are working on various ways to help everyone experience these shows in a way that will help you share this special moment with us. Stay tuned, and thank you for showing your love, we feel it!
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9 years 9 months
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This is exactly what I have been thinking, perhaps wishful thinking. But wouldn't it be grand if those of us that have heard nothing receive our emails soon. Perhaps with the exception of those that have been bashing the band. Come on really, do you actually think the band doesn't care about deadheads. Yikes it's all in deadhead 101. Perhaps we all need to take a refresher course, which I would like to see happen in Chicago. Keeping my fingers crossed, but I ain't superstitious...
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15 years 10 months
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Thought I still had a chance - as of this morning had not received a rejection letter or a confirmation e-mail - was one of those in limbo. But...checked my mail this afternoon and there it was, bummer. I still have hope though and am not going to cancel my hotel. Good luck to everyone still in the running and to those who are going to the shows...happy for you and wish you the best of times.
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16 years 2 months
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Well, well, well, looks like I'm not the only one who feels the pain of being buttf@%#$@ by what was once "our" band. There has got to be a way for the powers that be to make this right. More shows, before the last weekend shows, therefor, they will still be the last shows, just add dates in other cities before these last three shows. If Shapiro is so good, then prove it, make it happen, we want shows, in New York City, Miami Florida, Los Angeles and of course, San Francisco. What is the problem? This band is so special that they can't do any more than three shows? There are large places in these cities that I have just mentioned that will accommodate ALL of us, not just the privileged few. I'm not saying make them free, I'd be more than happy to pay you guys for your time and talents. But what you have seceded in doing here is making a lot of long time fans very very unhappy. Do the right thing you guys, make this right and all will be forgiven. Or, sit there on your high horse and pay the piper. We are just as much this band as any of you are, and I think you should all remember that. This is directed right at the core 4, take it if you need it, or leave it if you dare.
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I too was upset with how the mailorder was handled. But....why are you blaming the band? Do you realize that Phil is going to be 74 very soon? Think about it.....they all(especially Phil & Bobby) have been on the road for 50 yrs!! Spring Tour, Summer Tour, Fall Tour......They didn't have to do ANY shows, but they chose to do one last hurrah! And now they are going to try and make sure all those that could't get in be able to view it somehow. This couldn't come at worst time for me, we have an obligation vacation with family a couple weeks later, but we are going because we were lucky enough to get through on TM. However, if it didn't happen then we said it wasn't meant to be. We'd just plan something with our new dog we plan to get in the Spring. And then watch it or listen to it(however it will telecast). I think we should be thankful that they are even doing these 3 shows. And I hope that people will be adults, and not have any repeats of the '95. I was very ashamed to be a deadhead at the Deer Creek shows. It was my first time ever there, and it was ruined by something very thoughtless so-called deadheads. Let's just enjoy it any way we can. I've said my piece.....Now... Peace Out
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15 years 11 months
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Here's the second person I've seen that's saying " I don't know why yer all bitchin', I got my tickets." That's really rich dude. GFY.
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9 years 9 months
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Right! I got mine so why is everyone so pissed??? If the band couldn’t do any more than 3 shows, than they shouldn’t have done any at all. They should have just left things the way the where. But no, we are going to hold a special 50th anniversary reunion and make it almost impossible to get tickets for it and in the process alienate millions of fans. Or worse yet, have our fans ripped off by scalpers. To be honest, they should have gone quietly into the night. This is a piss-poor farewell. Should have call these show’s “For the Lucky”
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14 years 4 months
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Lots have said that they should have only offered tickets to one show per envelope or TM order. The thing you may be forgetting is that Chicago is a trip, and maybe a long trip, for the vast majority of attendees. I imagine that weighed into the decision to allow more than two tickets per envelope. I agree with a lot of folks -- this has been handled fairly poorly. Why have people send off money orders rather than credit card numbers? Is this 1965? Go to bank, get cash, go to post office, get money order, fill out stuff and send. Then get them back and go to post office to get MO's reissued in your name, go to bank and deposit. Versus sending in order with cc number to be used if you win the ticket lottery. Why did they advertise mail order process to everyone in the world? It went from being primarily for the "real fans" to being for everyone. I imagine ticket brokers sent in hundreds and hundreds of envelopes. There was bound to be a lot of hard feelings and disappointment with so much more demand than supply. FWIW, I got the pink slip on my envelope but got thru to TM. I feel badly for those completely shut out. I do have the feeling that a high percentage of those who haven't heard yet will get good news and they are just trying to put all that together.
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9 years 9 months
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After a ton of shows in 80's and until Brent died which also coincided with having to be gainfully employed full time, I saw a few shows a year but just couldn't get fired up after '91. 1995 was tragically sad in many ways, especially when Jerry could no longer carry the day (that's putting it nicely). Saw the Other Ones in '00 and the Dead in '09. Both were ok and I appreciated the effort but just not the same. Why am I going to Chicago? I guess in some weird way to say goodbye and hang with my friends for a few last days. I do think the boys could have taken a little more leadership and made sure communication was better, but things have always been loose. The reason everyone is so upset is because demand is so high and it is perceived that remaining band doesn't care. Well, they care enough to put on the shows. And outside of the secondary prices, the cost is in line. I have lots of sympathy for those that want to go but can't, but none for those that feel entitled and are so bitter. BTW, I don't have ticket and won't pay outrageous prices but guarantee I'll be inside. And for what it's worth, I got rejected for mail order and TM, but have enough "old school" friends who mail ordered so I remain positive and proactive good karma.
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17 years 6 months
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fabianart - I don't agree with you. I got multiple tickets and I'm happy about it. That by no means makes me not a little upset about what went down. I met a head once at a gas station a few miles away from a show and he told me he didn't have tics and didn't want to go to the venue because "the boys said not to if you didn't have tics". It bothered me that I didn't have any extras for him. Another time (Woodstock for Further) I felt great because I sold two tickets at face value to a young couple who actually used them to get in. Heads for the most part have souls, they care.
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9 years 9 months
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I am NOT A DUDE....and 2nd of all...I am still in Limbo on mail order....I was LUCKY to get thru on TM, but if you read my post, we were reisigned to do something else if we were UNLUCKY. And.....if a miracle came and I got mailorder after being in LIMBO....I would be selling those tickets for the exact amount I paid for them to another deadhead. MY POINT is....This is 2015, not 1966, 1975 or 1995. It's the way of the world. And it SUCKS. But why are you blaming the band for them wanting to do something special for their 50th, did you really think EVERY Deadhead could be there? Don't like the Scalpers? I don't either. Start a petition to make it illegal then. Stop Blaming the band. Everyone had the same chance to get tickets, of course their was going to losers. Go plan a big party with a big screen TV, and watch when they air it. Because I would find a way to enjoy it if I didn't have tickets. Oh and btw do you plan on working still when you are 74 yrs old? Because I sure as hell don't.
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9 years 9 months
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I am NOT A DUDE....and 2nd of all...I am still in Limbo on mail order....I was LUCKY to get thru on TM, but if you read my post, we were reisigned to do something else if we were UNLUCKY. And.....if a miracle came and I got mailorder after being in LIMBO....I would be selling those tickets for the exact amount I paid for them to another deadhead. MY POINT is....This is 2015, not 1966, 1975 or 1995. It's the way of the world. And it SUCKS. But why are you blaming the band for them wanting to do something special for their 50th, did you really think EVERY Deadhead could be there? Don't like the Scalpers? I don't either. Start a petition to make it illegal then. Stop Blaming the band. Everyone had the same chance to get tickets, of course their was going to losers. Go plan a big party with a big screen TV, and watch when they air it. Because I would find a way to enjoy it if I didn't have tickets. Oh and btw do you plan on working still when you are 74 yrs old? Because I sure as hell don't.
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I got lucky (3 day pass behind the stage), but am still annoyed and frustrated with the hassle involved in the whole process. Especially after the CID debacle the previous day. This was the first time in over 30 years my mail order was rejected. (oops, except Greek '86)
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9 years 9 months
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Would Jerry be blaming Phil and Bobby for the scalpers?Would he be carrying on about how the old school hippies sorting mail order should have done it differently? No... He would not. He would be glad there are still so many people that love his music and what the Grateful Dead stood for. I got my rejection letter in between not being able to get into the system for ticket packages and not being able to get into the system to get tickets from ticketmaster. I wish so much that we could go to this show. It is going to be a once in a lifetime no doubt. I love the Grateful Dead and the music and am so thankful that these guys are putting on this event. Last time we were at Soldier's Field we had tickets and the scene was so sketchy that we sold them and left. So we aren't going to be hanging out there with no tickets this time... I will never blame anybody for the demand of this show. Hopefully they will stream this so that we can all enjoy it from a distance!!! Thanks for 50 years of amazing everything..... Forever Grateful.
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17 years 6 months
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Hindsight sure looks great- we had 50 years to plan this -Really, why full page ads for the event? Award www.dead.net/shop/almanac subscribers early bird notice and sales to the show. Award Dave's subscribers early access to tix, this is for fans not MACHINES, ROBOTS, or COMPUTERS. Why enlist Trey who has his own groupies? Avoid scalpers.
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10 years 4 months
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I heard that this 20,000 seat facility / one-off reunion show was done by lottery. Does anyone know how smoothly the ticket allotment went for this type of "everyone in the world wants to go" to this kind of show went?
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11 years 7 months
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THIS I am totally cool with - mainly because I am all of the above, and have been buying most of the limited edition stuff for years. Though I will say I was saddened when Mrs Garcia (NOT Mountaingirl) persuaded LMA to stop allowing soundboard downloads and more importantly to outright delete any Dick's Picks from LMA...they stopped that for Dave's Picks and subsequent releases so...thats cool. As for Trey, who DOESN'T like Trustafarians? They make the world a...wait...a more interesting place...and more importantly they keep scalpers alive and heads out of dead shows! Oh and as for what would Jerry do (WWJD), he once stated he has no clue where all the people keep coming from, well Jer, everywhere, that is where - quite honestly, everywhere.
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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.
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9 years 10 months
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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 -
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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!!
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9 years 9 months
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Just like many others I am terribly disappointed about being left in limbo on MO and shut out on ticketmaster. Having listened to The Grateful Dead for a number of years now but being only 21 I was never given the chance to see them live and having lived my entire life in Canada I have also missed out on all opportunities to see the various spin-off groups over the years. Upon hearing of these 50th anniversary dates I was ecstatic and more than willing to blow my entire bank account and travel the 1500 plus miles to Chicago to experience what’s as close as I can and ever will come to the magic surrounding Dead shows that I have heard and read so much about. Unfortunately it appears my dream will not come true as I don’t see myself making a ticketless trip to Chicago which is very disappointing considering these shows have been pretty much the only thing on my mind since the day of the announcement. Please fellow Deadheads, enough of the hatred. Like everyone else who was denied tickets I’m quite bummed out (even a little pissed at how the ticketmaster side of things went) but most of you still have your memories of wonderful times spent with the Dead, which is far more than I can say. I’m envious of every one of you who has attended one if not countless number of shows over the years and it truly breaks my heart to see so much hatred going around what I’ve always known as the most loving community in all of music. For everyone lucky enough to get a ticket, enjoy the show(s). I’m sure you’re going to have one hell of a time and be sure to boogie extra hard for me. Also a quick note to GDTSTOO: if you are no longer sending out winning emails could you please return my money orders so I can pay my rent next month. Thank you
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16 years 2 months
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the entitled throwing their tickets in our faces, well, get ready to go to jail, cause that's were you are going, to jail. The cook county cops are licking their chops on this, they will put you all in an enclosed area, have a judge in a trailer right there to sentence all of you, and take what remaining money you have. It's funny how many people actually think this is going to be "great". This is the biggest ripoff of a fan base ever. This is the legacy of the dead? To be ripped off and then jailed. What's your kickback boys? Do you get a percentage of all that the cops get? Laugh out loud. At first I said, wear a helmet, now I'm saying, better bring a ticket for your lawyer, cause he's the only one who will save you now. The real legacy of these guys, you now have a criminal record and will forever be labeled a druggie because you went to the final "Not Dead" show. Wake Up, it's over and this is a big setup. Hope you all like the taste of tear gas in the morning. To the cops, it will taste like "final victory" and they will savor it like a fine wine.
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16 years 7 months
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Well folks, this appears to be the kiss of death e-mail from the folks at GDTS TOO. This is an auto reply I just received on an in-bound mail to them: Hi Folks, We are still feverishly returning money orders to those not fortunate to get tix. All winners have been contacted by email. A few bounced back emails are being processed and it will take us a few weeks to create a data base to match them up. No need to contact us until April, and, by then you will or will not have received your order back, so it should narrow the field. Thank you for your patience understanding during this Deluge. Elvis and the GDTS Crew
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9 years 10 months
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You know, after going through this crazy roller coaster of emotions this past month, and getting to today after reading everybody's posts, it is getting a little clearer as to what happened. FACT: Only 3 shows is going to leave a lot of people out that want to be there. It's a straight numbers issue. FACT: The Band slogged through decades of tours and gave us so much over all those years. They owe us nothing, and as much as I would LOVE to have them play more places this summer, by no means do they need to please us. FACT: The majority of hard-working, life long dedicated deadhead fans played by the rules and tried every avenue to get tickets. However, only a small portion of these fans succeeded in scoring tickets. This last point is the tough part to swallow. When you do everything right and still fail, it really hurts (kindof sounds like the Middle Class squeeze, huh?). CONCLUSION: We understand that you can't fit 50 years of Deadheads spanning multiple generations across the world into 3 nights at a 70,000 capacity stadium. We all know math (some of us :)). But the corporate structure of Ticketmaster and Concert promotions in the 21st Century, where internet speed and technical prowess win out, as well as when secondary market racketeering schemes are legal, is tragically flawed. We need an equitable system to arise from these ashes. Maybe that is the final lesson the Band is trying to convey----------- -------take down the corporate structure that is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. Isn't that part of the central ethos of the 60s movement anyway?? Is this a call for action? Change?
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15 years 8 months
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Amen, Velveteen. Well said!
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9 years 9 months
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That's OK.... I didn't want to go anyway... (kidding). Amazing how much it hurts to now know that I won't be going to a rock and roll show that I didn't even know was going to happen a couple of months ago. I wish the best to all that will be going. Despite the comments of many, it will be an amazing 3 days of fun.
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9 years 10 months
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K, so I’ve used GDTSTOO in the past it’s always worked out really well for me. Especially when I received a ticket in 1995 that put me in the 8th row in Chicago on July 9th for one of the best shows of my short touring life (13th show). When I heard about Dead50 I was so exited to find out about Mail Order & Soldier Field. When I told my younger wife how much it was gonna cost for a weekend with a half-million beautiful people taking over Chicago would be, she told me to have fun with my friends…. Speechless!! Then I had just enough $$$ to send in for 1ticket for every show, so I did. While waiting for response I found out my Bro had scored a great hotel room for $800 for the whole weekend….Awesomeness, I’m In!!! Now I have received Confirmation Email & I’m getting all 3 nights. Wait.. Wait… Wait… I’m not Bragging!!! After seeing how much these Tickets are going for, I asked my Beautiful wife (now I’m bragging) if I should sale them, she quickly said, “babe you can’t buy happiness.” She is so RIGHT!! Who in their right mind would sale those tickets, the whole wknd will cost me less than $2k I can’t afford not to go… Just wish I knew where I’ll be sitting. So to all of you who are in pain, I’m sorry!! I’m a Head, I got hooked up, & will not sale them! Last piece of the puzzle… Got to get my vacation approved for work, if not I’m gonna Have to make some people very happy, True Love will Not Fade Away
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15 years 8 months
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I feel for you, brother. I'm old enough where I was able to catch the Dead in '94 and '95, and consider myself supremely lucky to have been able to do so. I know there have been some older Heads here that have been bashing on the younger crowd, which I view to be supremely unfair. Age does not dictate one's love of the Grateful Dead, any more than the number of shows one has been to (or lack thereof) does--it is how we are able to connect to the music. I hope you have access to recordings of good old live Dead. Yes, it isn't the same as being there--but the magic still sparkles forth from the speakers. And Jerry's spirit still speaks through those recordings. I'm not going to sit here and condescendingly say that you shouldn't feel bad, because I know exactly how you feel--there are plenty of bands that I love that existed before my time as a concert-goer. But as I told myself after Jerry left this mortal plane--thank God for the music! However this business in Chicago goes down, thank God for the music! Let there be songs to fill the air! "If you get confused, just listen to the music play", Bearbait P.S. I don't know if Dark Star Orchestra ever makes it up to Canada--but if you ever have the opportunity, I would highly recommend them. They aren't the Dead, but they are a group of highly skilled Deadhead musicians who are lovingly recreating what it was to go see the Dead (and doing a hell of a job of it, I might add).
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9 years 9 months
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I just emailed Elvis to get the same auto-reply. Hey, why not just post that all of the winners have been emailed? C'mon, really? I feel fortunate to have experienced the shows that I did, when I did. I'll be watching on a screen somewhere, which will be just enough! Have fun to all who got in, enjoy!
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15 years 11 months
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I was just trying to form my thoughts into a post that would have looked a lot like Velveteen's. For those of you not understanding the negativity - and, yes, a lot of it's misplaced - it's the math. 85% to 90% were shut out. That's unprecedented. I know NO ONE who got tickets. My girlfriend knows one person. Unprecedented. I agree with the person who said if this was all they could do they should have done nothing. "And the words come out Like an angry stream Hear your own voice say Things you could never mean When the heat cools down You find your mind Got a lot or words You got to stand behind..." ~RH & JG~ "I shouted out, Who killed the Kennedys? When after all It was you and me..." ~MJ & KR~
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9 years 9 months
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This is was should not been allowed to happen: Ticket Monster.......starting from 1223.10(plenty of tix) VIVID SEATS ........ Starting from 1377.01(plenty of tix) In my personal ticket stub collect of 150 plus tickets), spanning from '81 -'98, don't think any of them have a face value more than 32.00 and change. This whole thing will be a nightmare. I never liked inter-city shows in the first place. And the music has not been the same since Jerry died - the jams are way too jazzed out, no longer have that high-steppin country funk\boogie Jerry gave the music. So basically you're going to pay out your ass for what? Sorry folks the magic's been gone. Please don't get ripped off just because some greedy a-hole is promoting a Grateful Dead show? It won't be what you think. Good luck
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9 years 9 months
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Interesting that their web site says to not email them since they wont be able to reply, but the only way to get a status on what the current situation is by by emailing them....
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9 years 11 months
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You know the really sad part of all this is that you all put so much devotion & love into one band,that in reality ,isn't the band they were in '95 as bad as it was then ,or Brent years (whatever you're favorite year was), or Keith & Donna years '73-74?, PIGPEN '65-72 ( the real leader of the band?). Music is all around ,there's gotta be something worth listening to out there,yeah I know The GD are the only ones who do what they do, when I first heard about the shows in Dec. I thought I might like to go, after all who (anyone who has be there before) wouldn't , but after mulling it over decided it wasn't for me. Let sleeping dogs lie, memories of what was are far better than being disappointed( maybe it will be good, not saying it won't) 70,000 people, heat of the summer, cops? Yes ,I remember 83 Poplar Creek ,cops kicking doors in, friends getting busted(isn't FBI headquarters there ?) possibility could be a field day. Regardless of all that, I thought they couldn't go out on 3 shows,I still have my doubts, no NYC area or BAY AREA????? really???? Maybe in 2 or 3 weeks ,they'll announce something, no Trey or Bruce but I don't think it matters , If not ,so be it,I ain't crying,seen them 5x after Jerry & was mildly entertained, seen much better shows by other bands in those 20 years!!!I always thought deadheads were more widely diversified when it came to music. As far as scalpers go ,they were always there(supply & demand) if some Idiot thinks it's worth $5,000-10,000 please send them to me( if only I had tix) remember we live in a Capitalistic society!!!! You're choice, me personally, I decided not to go cause,I didn't think it was worth it at base price of @ least$1000-1500 (trans,tix,food&lodging for 3-4 days)& could have a much better time on vacation somewhere else.Maybe these shows are just so they have some footage of closure for the Documentary. Big 50, of course multi-millions ain't to hard to deal with.final nest egg for their kin. I really have no qualms with GDTSTOO ( of course I never tried to get tix) but even if I did, you're lucky they even offer this service(who else does???) you could have been on some cold ass sidewalk outside one of them ticketmasters, like the olden times. I feel good for the members of the band too, knowing they can put their differences aside( I hear they don't get along much anymore???? Like family rifts after the passing of the matriarch ) to celebrate the music, that touched our heart & souls, one more time-for whatever reasons, I wish some of the younger people could get a chance to see them, after all ,unless you're 75 & been on the scene since The Summer of Love, we were all new to this circus at one time & think about how it affected you & changed your life. We are all equals, 1 in 10,000 who come for the show. Everyone going, enjoy the show,everyone who isn't,get together with your friends & party with the pay-per-view(show your love w/$) Glad it's all over for those who were so caught up in the waiting( get a life), now you know, and soon it will be all over for good!?????Only memories of good times, good friends(some we lost-some remain), & great music,that lasts forever (be thankful for all the archivists out there-BEAR(who started it all) THANK YOU all who were,or still now,involved with making this scene ,one of the BEST that' ever been!!!! Much Love to all !! PEACE GRATEFUL DEAD. 50 Years Young!!!!!
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14 years 1 month
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A comment I have yet to read so I guess I'll make it. $196.50? Are they for real? WTF?
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9 years 9 months
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Great job on that video it pretty much summed up the whole debacle.
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17 years 5 months
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First excited to see a 50th anniversary tour, then 3 shows? Quickly went to disappointment after Feb. 28 ticket sales situation. I like others tried feverishly for hours, nothing to show for it.How could the greatest fan based music group be so out of touch? Each member tours, especially Bob and Phil. So why can't a full nationwide Dead tour take place? There are hundreds of thousands of fans wanting to be there to hear the music. The Dead have prided themselves on their mail order service and trying to keep the likes of Ticketmaster at bay. Now that the tickets have fallen into scalpers and according Stubhub the cheapest seat is hovering around $500, who exactly will purchase these tickets? I am not interested in a televised show, it's about traveling and being there. My daughter, Cassidy, born 3 weeks after Jerry died was eager to see the band of her namesake. I guess it was just not meant to be. I ask you Grateful Dead Band members... Is this how you want it to end, the legacy of the greatest touring band? Why not a nationwide tour? Steve Chait New Jersey
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9 years 9 months
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Jerry would have never agreed to this money grabbing scheme. He would more than likely only agreed to play, if the shows were held at a location where all could have had a chance to attend. The more I think about this whole fiasco, the more it just doesn’t seem right. Why would they do it like this? Maybe they didn’t think people still liked them that much, and therefore there wouldn’t be much demand for tickets??? And if we removed Trey and all his Junkie – molly eating – crack smoking Phish sticks (Kid born between 1979 and 1993), the rest of us would have had a better chance. Would have rather had John Kadlecik sit in. Jerry would tell you to stick those tickets up your A@@@@@@@.
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9 years 10 months
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I know there's a forum for this what figured what the heck, looking for (4) tickets for Sunday July 5th for myself, my wife and two boys,if you can help or knows anyone with extras please let me know. thought i would ask here before I become a victim of scalper scum. Many thanks in advance!
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9 years 10 months
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I hope a couple months from now all this seems pretty silly.The criticism of the band's grand finale plan is way out of line. I am one of the many aggravated "limbo" people with no money order or email . WTF to all the conspiracy theory bone heads. If all behave it's gonna be a great party on the lakefront.
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9 years 9 months
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If you send an email(ignoring them asking you not to) to elvis at gdtstoo, you'll get an auto response that states all of the people getting tickets have been notified. Just a matter of waiting for that return letter from Stinson Beach with your MO enclosed.
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13 years 9 months
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Real mail or email?
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9 years 9 months
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Sorry. I received my pink slip and MOs via USPS w/ my return (Jimi) stamped envelope today, Mar 3. I didn't pay extra for Express mail. I'm in Chicago area.
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9 years 9 months
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Thanks, rgergelis, but it's all good! I always knew it was a roll of the dice, and was just hoping for, you know, that simple twist of fate. All of my memories of many great shows, all with Jerry in late 70s and throughout the 80s, are nothing short of awesome, and I'll always have those. I had a bad vibe about the whole scene from the start, particularly with the shows being in Soldiers' Field. The cluster that is GDTS for this particular event, and the absurdity of the TM scene made me half wish that I'd just get my money returned. I mostly just wanted to reunite with old friends, many whom I haven't seen since the last shows I attended in the 80s. I'll still be able to do that, or will spend my money on a trip more memorable. I truly do hope that all who go have a great time. Chicago is a police state, so be careful there....
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9 years 10 months
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Well I did get the automated response and indeed I think it's a matter of waiting to get the MO returned. I had my friend at PO check my status and they are not cashed soooo...at least I know the outcome. But maybe some one will have an extra..oh that was pathetic.