Grateful Dead

I agree, it is indisputable that the way things have shifted and gone in the last month has been a total cluster, especially last Saturday. But I am wondering where the true blame lies?? In the Band? I don't think so. They have no interest in trying to do what Pearl Jam tried years ago and lost. In GDTS? Nahhh. It seems like they did their best to try and accommodate as many Mail Order requests as possible. On the Promoter? Probably some, but not sure. On the big corporate system of 21st century America? Probably. On Republicans? No Brainer...uh yea, of course....:)

Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzdjkMh-cGA

Many of my friends that poked fun at me and my not so crisp cassette tapes of many shows back in 20year era, now tune into GD XM channel daily. 50 years... Demand for three shows would be cluster any way you slice it. Throw Trey in the mix and you add another 100,000 interested. (For the record, Trey is a great choice in my opinion) It is what it is...if you don't like it, like Bob said, maybe they will do it your way for the 75th!

It doesn't matter.. Anyway..

Sent a message to Elvis (in disbelief, expecting not to get back the message posted earlier)...but I did.Why have they not announced this ? Do they not realize the weight of the collective emotions riding on this limbo wave? I can't believe it. Oh and by April? You should have your money back? I don't know what to say, so so sad

Got Shut Down. http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-grateful-dead-soldier-f… Talk about a cluster? Trying to get all those people out in an hour. But I guess they figured it would be even more potentially disastrous to allow for thousands to stay over night. Either way, more bad news from the Soldier front.

I keep hearing there will be screens, but not from official sources. Anyone know?

Crunzo, thanks for posting Elvis' reply. He actually appears to return e-mails in a timely fashion. But, his reply, OMG! You can't get any more cryptic and mysterious. The emotions are such a roller coaster on this Mail Order limbo ride. I still get nauseous when I go to the mailbox. Oh my!

I think a 19" on each side and a 32" on the back of the stage.

4 ticket max order 12 tickets per, less than 600(the highest I have read was 389) order confirmations sent that is not many tickets.... anybody out there get taper tickets?

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!

with multiple e-mail addresses. I have two friends with the same confirmation # from Colorado. I've been hearing 6-10 per e-mail.

I received #424 Friday afternoon. One ticket for each night.

Sam3b kidding right?? inches, lol.

How many times something like this happened:https://instagram.com/p/ywCcbVOEaY/?modal=true I MO for 1 ticket per night. Just one. Haven't received an email or returned MO, but I remain hopeful!

Just hook up to their wifi and watch it on your cell phone.... ;-) Chicago Tribune today has article from Peter Shapiro re. HD screens n HD audio behind stage.... Posted today after the parking lot article...

All we got was an email with a confirmation number. Since I only requested Sunday, I know it is that night but I submitted 3 MO's for any price tickets so I don't know where they will be at. I also only asked for 2 tickets so that screws the math up for how many have gone out! There's also speculation that the seating chart may be reconfigured to accommodate 360 degree seating so that may explain some delays on things as well. Again askin' - anyone have email confirmations higher than #389? Be Kind

Didn't see your post before I saved mine, thanks for the info. Highest number so far now is 424, anyone have one higher than that?

If they are in batches of 10, #438 (highest I have seen), they should get to 600+

I think they have no idea what they are going to do at this point. They talk of a 360, but also said an open stage. But then the chart said no view. And they've been saying screens and sound. I think they will be working it out over the next couple months. Pretty sure it won't be a true 360.

See article link from Chicago Trib. Shapiro states significantly more than 10% MO. I guess time will tell... http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-grateful-dead-pet…

so 600 replies with 10 orders is 6000 orders not everyone ordered 12 but even if they did still only 72000 tickets I am still in limbo and hopeful....

Per the Chicago tribune article there will not be "in the round" seating. Let's stop that rumor right now. On configuration of Soldier Field for the shows: “It will be a GA (general admission) floor and a 360 set-up. The stage will be at one end zone, but it will be open and there will be seats behind the band. Those were the cheaper seats. The sight lines won’t be the same, but you’re in. They made a decision to get as many people as possible into the show. There will be (video) screens and sound back there.

It sounds like from the interview with Shapiro they are going to try and stream it. I hope it happens. Thanks in advance! Now the only things to decide, brisket or pork shoulder, margaritas or daiquiris, spinach dip or hummus, bottle rockets or roman candles, jam band on the deck or in the basement, ice cream shakes or popsicles.... I hope all you folks get tickets or your MO's back and are able to enjoy the show from where ever you are. stay kind, peace out!

More than 10% MO See article link from Chicago Trib. Shapiro states significantly more than 10% MO. I guess time will tell... http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-grateful-dead-pet… Can someone copy/paste the article? I cannot see on the site.

If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of Grateful Dead fans who got shut out of tickets for the band’s 50th anniversary shows July 3-5 in Soldier Field, promoter Peter Shapiro has some good news for you. “We’re going to try to create ways to experience the show outside the stadium, using technology,” Shapiro says. “Whether you’re at home, or out in the community, we’re working on a way to bring the show to fans who aren’t in Soldier Field with high-level audio and video.” The format – pay per view, on-line streaming, a simulcast – hasn’t been determined, he says. “We’re exploring all ideas. But this is a way that technology we didn’t have in the ‘90s can really help make this event as Grateful Dead-fan friendly as possible. They couldn’t beam shows in the ‘90s into your house, your phone, another place where people gather. And we’ll have that.” The double-edged sword of technology, the blinding speed with which more than 200,000 tickets could sell out three Grateful Dead anniversary concerts, preoccupies Shapiro. He’s upset that tickets are on the secondary market selling for thousands of dollars. “Those numbers aren’t real and they have nothing to do with the music …. (But) with the technology and bringing the show to fans who couldn’t get tickets, to enable them to see it, we want to do a reverse jujitsu against the secondary market.” Shapiro, 42, was destined to help put together what is turning out to be one of the most in-demand concerts in rock history. lRelated Grateful Dead tickets going for as much as $15K MUSIC Grateful Dead tickets going for as much as $15K SEE ALL RELATED 8 In 1993, while the New York City teen was studying at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., he attended a Grateful Dead concert at what was then known as the Rosemont Horizon (now Allstate Arena). It was a life-changing experience that he remembers in exacting detail, from the opening performance by word-jazz pioneer Ken Nordine to the multi-sensory experience inside and outside the show in the snow-ridden parking lot. It was so inspiring that the next day he began working on a documentary on the band and the community and culture it created. more coming...

Years later he became a concert promoter in New York City, and has built the multi-city Brooklyn Bowl franchise and owns the famed Capitol Theatre in Port Arthur, N.Y. He’s booked numerous shows by Dead spinoff bands led by Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, and forged a relationship that brought him into the band’s inner circle when Lesh, Weir, Hart and Bill Kreutzmann began discussing a 50th anniversary celebration. The core members will be augmented by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and keyboardists Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti. In a Tribune interview, Shapiro addressed some issues about putting together the concert and instant sell-out ticket sale, with tickets now on the secondary market selling for tens of thousands of dollars. On the overwhelming demand for the shows: “It’s just nuts. This thing has taken on a life of its own. The response to these on-sales, both on-line and mail, shows the power the band had, and the music. It made everyone say, ‘Whoah.’ No one expected how big this has turned out to be.” On the huge mark-ups for tickets on the secondary market: “I don’t think that’s real. I wave my hand at these prices. When you post (an asking price on the secondary market), it doesn’t mean you definitely have the ticket on you. Doing this in 2015, technology has its benefits and challenges. The benefits are that I hope we can share this show and many can experience it as if they were there. The challenge is the secondary market -- you create a false impression of what these tickets are worth. I can’t control it. We’ve talked about what we do about it.” What about additional Grateful Dead shows? “I’m not going to go there. There’s no extra dates planned. For Chicago or anywhere else.”

On restrictions on the number of tickets available to mail-order fans because of Soldier Field deals with Bears season ticket-holders and Ticketmaster: “Solder field has ticketing deals. The (season ticket holders who have) personal seat licenses (PSL’s) get a right to buy a ticket for every event the stadium hosts. That’s part of a putting on an event at Soldier Field in 2015. There’s nothing I can do about that. As it was, we had a larger than normal allocation for the fan base based on the history of the band with the venue. I can’t go into details, but it was more than the usual 10 percent allotment for the fan base (requesting via mail order). Significantly more.” On snafus with processing the 60,000 ticket orders that poured into Grateful Dead headquarters in California: “Part of my pitch to the band was to bring back mail order for these shows, and we used Grateful Dead ticketing, who did this originally. We tried to do it carefully and right, but it was a massive response. Most everyone was informed whether they got a ticket (before the on-line sale Saturday). And the band put up a notice that if you haven’t heard ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (by Saturday), try and buy a ticket (on-line).” On configuration of Soldier Field for the shows: “It will be a GA (general admission) floor and a 360 set-up. The stage will be at one end zone, but it will be open and there will be seats behind the band. Those were the cheaper seats. The sight lines won’t be the same, but you’re in. They made a decision to get as many people as possible into the show. There will be (video) screens and sound back there.” On why the band’s four surviving members decided to reunite: “They each wanted to do something to celebrate the 50th anniversary. To get them all to agree, that took a minute, but they’re all excited by this response. The idea of doing the shows on July 4th weekend, going back to where it ended (the band’s final shows were in Soldier Field in July 1995), bringing in Trey as the next generation, and Hornsby, who had been with them off and on for years, and doing something in the middle of the country enabling east and west to come, they all embraced it.”

who in their right mind would pay 15000 for a ticket for this event? 15000??? simulcast in theaters. the ultimate MUATM. even the folks on Shark Tank would say 15000 is beyond bollocks. simulcast!!!

Grateful Dead fans won't be allowed to park or camp overnight on Chicago Park District land outside of Soldier Field, a spokesman for the arena said Tuesday morning. Over the past two weeks, while tickets for the band’s 50th anniversary concerts (July 3-5) quickly sold out, several city entities including the Park District, Chicago Police and Fire departments, decided against allowing Deadheads to park or camp overnight in parking, citing safety concerns, Soldier Field spokesman Luca Serra said. Video: Grateful Dead fans vie for tickets Amy Buscemi, 34, of Chicago's North Center neighborhood mailed in her request for tickets Tuesday to see the Grateful Dead's final shows in July. (Manya Brachear Pashman, Chicago Tribune) “We took this seriously and did not want to dismiss it,” Serra said. “All of us came to the conclusion that this is an exceptional event, but that does not exempt the fact we put safety first ... And staying overnight can be a recipe for the unforeseen.” Chicago Police will be on hand to "preserve disorder" I'm sure. Was thinking about taking the train downtown just to see what's going on but think I will just watch the highlights on the news. Demand for overnight parking was sparked by Grateful Dead fan Jeremy Davis of Florida, who said he wanted to park his RV overnight. Davis started an online petition requesting that the City of Chicago allow overnight parking because “we all know the safest thing to do - is NOT to drive, to keep away from cars and the open roads altogether,” it reads. The petition had garnered more than 11,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning. The only instance when overnight parking was allowed at Soldier Field was a 2007 college football game, when the University of Iowa requested it on behalf of a small number of fans traveling to the game in RVs. Serra expects between 60,000-70,000 people to attend each concert, not including those without tickets, who will be outside the venue. Soldier Field typically doesn’t hold events that run longer than 11 p.m., after which no tailgating is allowed. Grounds crews usually try to clear the lots within an hour after the show, Serra said. “We’ll be upping security numbers with Chicago Police and Fire (Department) from a traffic management standpoint,” Serra said.

Friend of friend (not the Devil) just reported Golden Email this afternoon March 3!WHHHAAATTTT!!?!?!?

You brought new hope to the greatly despaired...

Really really doubt any new emails have come out informing people that have won lottery. As much as I would love to believe this I have a really hard time doing so. Why would they email us saying our money would be sent back??? What if we went out and paid $1M as a result??? At this point I just want my mail order back!

Show me! While I am hopeful...I'm not feelin this, but hope my spider senses are way off.

FUCK SHAPIRO and the DEAD."it took a minute for the band to agree...they all wanted to do something" EXCEPT PLAY SHOWS......

But according to a certain poster, it is a "fact" that GDTS TOO controlled 2/3 of the tickets and they went to fans. It looks like the "fact" is that it is "more than 10%." This is what I'm talking about. A bunch of misinformation going on. It was also a "fact" that GDTS TOO had held back tickets that were going to be available at a later date . . . followed immediately by an announcement that the shows are sold out. At this point, I'm just going to adopt a wait-and-see approach to the "facts" because there are way too many things that just don't add up. In the end, I hope my jaundiced view has no basis in fact either, and then I can issue a tearful apology to the band.

Sadly, I received my pink slip and all money orders today via USPS my return envelope w/out Express Mail from GDTS-TOO. I'm in Chicago area. The entire process was a long, strange trip and has left such a bad vibe for me, a Head since the late Seventies, that I'll probably be spending my time, and money in Spain or the coast of Maine this July. There is no way that I'd ever pay a dime to see a show on a screen. Good luck and have a blast to those who got legit tix!

Geesh, everyone who's able to make a dime sure is milking this cash cow as far as they can.... I am from the midwest and was so happy when they announced the show...but the way everything has went down has just left a bad taste in my mouth. While I was a little salty at first about not purchasing tickets, I am also relieved not to have to deal with the mess it's going to be in Chicago over the 4th of July weekend. I definitely have no interest in paying to watch it on a video screen at another venue either. Just one more way to milk more money out of something that's already been milked enough. I think I'd rather wait and and just hear it for free. IMO, the way everything played out goes against everything I thought the band was about.

I found Shapiro's comment about the eagerness of the band members to be curious as well, given Bobby's prior statements about how they needed to get over their disagreements and celebrate the music. Maybe they will reconsider only having three concerts now that they see the interest, but that's probably a longshot at best.

I think it was sam3b that pointed out that GDTS TOO people are "people" and they do make mistakes. I believe they "tried" to be fair but missed the mark a few times. Cases in point: 1)some people who sent in multiple envelopes got multiple orders filled 2) Someone who sent in on the Jan. 21 got their order filled. 3) I sent in mine on Jan 20th. I requested only 2 tix for 1 show (any day) I was rejected and sent only 1 envelope for 2 tickets. Only 2 Frikkin tix! I know I did everything right. Checked it all 10 times. How is it fair that someone sent theirs in on Jan 21 (they said they wouldn't even fill any 21st postmarked orders) and got their order filled? And the other got multiple orders filled from multiple envelopes. Crying BS on the fairness that took place (albeit unintentional)...

Yeah it sux as it is, but if you wanna be there and see a show or 3... I still think there's hope, maybe on the secondary market... But it may happen... Just be the little engine that could......I think I can.....I think I can.....I know I can! Life=Hope

get ready for the biggest bust in dead history, set up, like a bowling pin, heed my warnings, if you go to this fiasco, you will be jailed for one reason or another. They have all ready stated that they will clear the parking lot each night, there will be extra cops and security in place, laugh out loud, too bad, too sad for anyone in tye dye this weekend. Whats the matter lycanthrope, can't handle the truth. Find someone else to vent on as I will be continuing my attack on this rip off, pointing out the obvious for all of you who are too blinded by the tye dye. Hey Chicago, get ready, here come the non deadheads, fill up your jails and your tax coffers, if they can afford these ticket prices, they can afford a fine, or jail sentence, or both.

Things will get better. The hype will die down. Also, keep in mind that this is not a true Grateful Dead show no matter how it's billed. There is no Jerry. His voice and guitar won't be there. Trey's guitar is going to make it more of a jazzy sort of thing versus a ground up folk, etc Jerry feel. No offence to Trey here, it's just a different sound not better or worse, but definitely different than it was. On the opposite side of things if you're a phish head, you are probably stoked...and phish heads are probably the reason for way more than half the hype.

What gets me is you have people like that guy on ebay selling 16 GA field tickets and 12 tickets in two good 100 level sections. 28 tickets!! Yet so many couldn't even get a lousy 2 seats.

I don't want to support the secondary market. Don't know if I want to put myself through any more BS regarding trying to get tix. It has been stressful enough and I don't respond well to stress. Besides, having to stress out and "try" to get tickets for face value with an insurmountable uphill battle, sounds like setting myself up for another letdown. Honestly I'm getting too old for this sh!t. I still want to go , but unfortunately (OR FORTUNATELY) the excitement about going has lost its luster. And to have to jump through many more hoops, I just don't know if I can do it...

Yeah man, those of us who tried to share tix (I had a feeling this was going to be a gong show) kinda got screwed. Like you, I only sent in one envelope with a request for 4 tix for two nights, though expressly stated I would take anything...I only asked for 4 because we were saving on my buddy mailing in and we obviously wanted to take our wives. If it is any consolation, I also lost out on a dream tic sold by Roadking, because I wanted to share and asked for only one (at that point desperate). He needed to get rid of 4 so he sold to a guy wanting 4...made sense and not upset, he sold them for cost to make sure that others got in. I think had I asked for 2, it would have been split 2 2 or hell try my luck for all 4 and turn around and sell the other 2 I didn't need here...in any event, sharing and caring didn't work here man. All for one and one to take all! I am still full of hope that something good is going to happen - a little concerned about the Chicago Tribune article saying the cops are going to be descending on the area like an iron hammer, but that is kind of expected. None the less, good things come to those...and I am quite sure that if I come across a couple, (my buddy is thoroughly disgusted with the whole thing) then you will be one of the first I talk to to see if you want the other. Brother, we need to divide and conquer.

An old lifer here. Felt the need to chime in. Got hooked with the release of ‘American Beauty’. Was fortunate to see the Wall of Sound, some of the Spring ’77 run, and to be backstage for a NYE thanks to Bill Graham (I remain eternally grateful, Uncle Bobo). IMO, this ‘last show’ deal is no more than a massive cash grab carefully crafted by Suits. On Sunday, the Gans/Lambert duo was put in the uncomfortable position of being even stronger apologists than normal. You could hear it in their voices. In fact, they made a comment to the effect that ‘this franchise was ending’, and, like savvy franchisors anywhere, the band is hoping to sell high before their exit strategy. I’m OK with that, but let’s not kid ourselves about what is going on.My predictions; now that ‘all’ the tix are sold, an announcement will soon be made about a simulcast at premier theaters across the US, maybe even around the world. These tix will be expensive as well, and when they are sold out, management will magnanimously announce that, due to demand, internet pay per view will be available. I’m OK with that, too. What I am not OK with is the music in its current iterations. I suggest you watch ‘Sunshine Daydream’ in its entirety. Then, watch any performance featuring the boys and Trey. To me, ‘Sunshine’ is the genuine article. Anything with Trey seems very two dimensional after that. It’s like knowing authentic Persian rugs as opposed to ‘other’ copies. Once you know the Real Thing, the rest seem weak, no matter how expensive or finely wrought. I hope you all get what you want, but remember, the scene only survived as long as it did because we put more into it than money. For this run to work well, the same holds true, because ‘without love in a dream it will never come true.’ Peace To All.

You "guys" (assuming you are male) are the main reason I keep returning to this thread. I occasionally check my e-mail for a miracle but don't expect anything. Apparently my hotel room is not close enough to spark any interest about a trade for a place to stay for selling me face value tickets (17 miles from stadium). Anyone who has extra tickets but no place to stay should have no problem whatsoever having a flop for the night (or nights). [klangstone@yahoo.com for what it's worth (which apparently isn't anything, at least yet)] Thanks for keeping my hopes alive and my spirits high. Without venting here and making new friends, this thing would be a TOTAL loss... Still sympathizing with those who are worse off than me (not knowing whether or not they will get their MOs back, tickets or neither.) For the worse case folks who may end up with neither, hope you copied your MOs and kept all your MO receipts, you may need them in the worst way.

Portray sincerityAct out of loyalty Defend your true country Wish away the pain Hand out lobotomies To save little families Surrealistic fantasy Bland boring plain Hold me down in restitution Living out your date with fusion Is the whole fleece shun in master? Don't feel guilty, master writing Somebody said that they're not much like I am I know I can Make enough of the words for you to follow along I sink and then some Slippery pessimist hypocrite master Conservative communist apocalyptic bastard Thank you dear God for putting me on this earth I feel very privileged in debt for my thirst Hold me down in restitution Living out your date with fusion Is the whole fleece shun in master? Don't feel guilty, master writing Somebody said that they're not much like I am I know I can Make enough of the words for you to follow along I sink and then some