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"When we began discussing audio projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead back in 2012, we knew we wanted to do something completely unprecedented. We could think of nothing more exciting or ambitious than a career-spanning overview of the band's live legacy focused on what best tells the story: complete concerts. Our first criterion was the very best live music to represent any given year in the band’s history. We wanted to make sure that there were not only the tent-pole shows that fans have been demanding for decades but also ones that are slightly more under the radar, but equally excellent. For those who listen to the entire box straight through, chronologically, the narrative of the Grateful Dead's live legacy will be seen as second to none in the pantheon of music history." - David Lemieux
We are more than pleased to announce the Grateful Dead's most ambitious release ever: 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN. Available as both an 80-disc boxed set and a custom lightning-bolt USB drive, the collection includes 30 unreleased live shows, one for each year the band was together from 1966 to 1995, along with one track from their earliest recording sessions in 1965. Packed with over 73 hours of music, both the boxed set and the USB drive will be individually numbered limited editions.
The 80-disc boxed set is individually numbered and limited to 6,500 copies, a nod to the band’s formation in 1965. Along with the CDs, it also includes a gold-colored 7-inch vinyl single which bookends the band’s career. The A-side is “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)” from the band’s earliest recording session in 1965 with the B-side of the last song the band ever performed together live, “Box Of Rain” recorded during their final encore at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995.
The box also comes with a 288-page book that features an extensive, career-spanning essay written by Nick Meriwether, who oversees the Dead archives at the University of California, Santa Cruz, along with special remembrances of the band submitted by fans. Also included is a scroll that offers a visual representation of how the band’s live repertoire has evolved through the years.
The USB drive version* will be shaped like a gold lightning bolt with the Grateful Dead 50th anniversary logo engraved on the side. The drive includes all of the music from the collection in both FLAC (96/24) and MP3 formats and is an individually numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies. Digital version of the book also included on USB.
Shows will NOT be sold individually on CD. This release is sure to sell out quickly so pre-order your copy today and stick around as we will be revealing a mighty fine selection of music, art, and much, much more right here.
(Looking for a smaller 50th Anniversary commemorative keepsake? September 18th will see the release of a four-CD version of the collection titled 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN: THE DEFINITIVE LIVE STORY 1965-1995. More on that here.)
ROLLINGSTONE.COM SONG PREMIERE AND EXCLUSIVE DAVID LEMIEUX INTERVIEW
Head on over to Rollingstone.com for the very first listen of "Morning Dew" 9/18/87 Madison Square Garden, David Fricke's exclusive interview with archivist David Lemieux, and the reveal of 30 TRIPS AROUND THE SUN's '69 and '84 shows.
*Helpful hints for using your USB:
Running the 30 Trips Player / Reader program:
On Windows – Navigate to the USB drive and double click the PCStart.exe file to run.
On MacOS – Open the GD 30 Trips drive, and double click the MacStart to run.
Viewing the digital book:
You can either view it within the program that comes on the drive, or by opening the PDF directly.
To view the PDF, open the PDF folder on the drive and the USB_bk_spreads_08-31 file within. Selecting the option within your PDF reading application to view as a “single page” might be preferable to viewing as a continuous document.
Importing music into iTunes and other library programs:
When you import the songs from the USB into your library, the information used to identify the track will likely leave them sorted incorrectly. Please use the song list found here to re-number the songs for each show so that they playback in the correct order.
PDF
Text
I am really only interested
I am really only interested in the pre-80's Dead so spending $730.00 for this is not something I can justify to the wife or even me. I hardly ever listen to a cd from post 1980 and I have the the E72 box which is grate but I have only listened to that once; I have the Fillmore box and I have listened to that maybe twice! I have so much Dead right now that I just can not spend this kind of scratch for a handful of shows that I will actually listen to more than once.I have the subscription and that has been alright with me!
Stock numbers, Sell-out, time pressure.
I had hoped that this box would not be released so soon and be so limited in production volume that it would sell out so quickly.
A month from now would have been better for me to spend the bucks(debit card).
I fear it may be gone by then based on what I have read here.
And that begs the question as to why only 6500?
The 1965 date seems not good enough of a reason if there is such a demand that 6500 sells out in days?
If these stock numbers are accurate then they just lost out on a lot of sales.
If only the had increased the volume from 6500?
Rather than a sell out in days, IMHO, enough volume, limited yes, but enough volume should be produced so that it takes more time. Say one year maximum?
My 2 cents!
It looks like there may only
It looks like there may only be between 12 and 1300 left....
within the last hour it was 1800 remaining
but that is a very strange number because I just found out I had ordered 2 box sets.
One with an email confirmation and the other without. Dead.net rep had to check my account and verify. It seems like my order that was stuck in processing never gave me an email, but confirmed a confirmation number in dead.net system.
Lady just told me one guy had ordered 8 box sets and not 1 single confirmation. This got messy and I would suspect this could be a major headache..
Now my question is... who ordered the most box sets yesterday and still doesnt know it ?
Ding we have a winner!
I ordered eight boxes yesterday. Not one confirmation email. I promptly got in touch with CS and they cancelled all eight orders in their system and sent me screenshots of the cancelled orders for reference. I then called my CC company and made them aware of the situation. They told me as long as dead.net doesn't try to post these transactions then they will clear off my card. Again, very friendly and helpful CS rep at dead.net store.
Individual Shows
Shows will NOT be sold individually on CD.
To me, that implies that individual shows WILL be sold via download. It implies it so strongly that I would bet on it. Whenever they say they won't do something, that means they WILL do anything to create additional sales that isn't precluded by their statement. Just like with the Europe box. Worry not.
Wish I could afford this
I was at three of the shows listed but wow why all the hate on the form.
Doesn't matter what you wear just as long as you are there.
For those going enjoy the shows in CA and IL.
how do they know to post the charges or not ?
i was almost nervous to give the lady my order number because i thought she may botch things up and cancel my legit order that had an email confirmation.
I would advise folks to check bank staments and call CS to see how many orders each may have submitted during the tidal wave of orders that disrupted the servers.
In a matter of a few days all charges will not appear until it ships. So for people with only 1 confirmation and multiple charges, you may well have a submitted a order without getting a confirmation email.. When September rolls around a few bank statements may look a little wacky and UPS trucks may be showing up at doors with extra sets.
The Ice Cream Cone Kid
mbarilla I looked and felt like the E72 ice cream cone kid when I checked my balance on my card and heard pending charges of almost $6000. It will all work out but if anybody out there is unsure of how many orders they place they should pick up the phone. I'm no expert on such things as capturing funds and posting transactions. I think it's quite possible that deadnet store will go through all transactions and void all those that did not get a confirmation but that would take awhile.
Not only for the rich...
I'm by no means a rich man and I ordered the box. We all knew there would be something really big for the 50th. I started saving for this box last fall, squirreling money away here and there. I figured with Europe '72 being $450 we'd probably see something in the $500 range. I was off but still, making up the extra $266.12 (damn high taxes in California!) is a lot easier than taking a $766.12 hit unprepared.
And as you can all see, my wife didn't kill me yesterday! "Mark? What's this $766 on your credit card from the Grateful Dead?"
Uhh....
Gotta say
that while the system mess yesterday caused some issues and confusion, it is also apparent that many here lack a basic understanding of how credit card transactions for future purchases and charges work. This is no different than reserving a hotel room for a month or two down the road. The charge will not appear, nor will funds be held or frozen or otherwise encumbered until "charge time" which, in this case, is September.
Bottom line, if you were hung up in the queue, you have three and half months to make a five minute phone call to customer service to make sure you don't get charged. It couldn't be any simpler at this point.
"For The Rich"
Curious, did everyone complaining about the cost of this box also contend that Tour was "just for the rich" when a mail order was announced in, say 1990, and you had to plunk down several hundred dollars (and actually plunk it down in the form of paying for a money order, not even a credit card) for multiple nights on tour, which entitled you only to the mere possibility that you might get tickets or that you might not?? All while GDTS held your money for a month or so?
Was that just for the rich?? Or did you prepare knowing that mail order was coming, which as discussed below was what many here did??
Its only
Its only a box set and not that important as to whole scheme of life. Many paying rent, a few kids, food bills that approach half your weekly take home salary, along with a high bill for health insurance, probably can't afford this much going out on just CDs. Here in CT you can't get a rent for twice your weekly salary and be in a safe place unless home with mom. No, its not just 1%ers. But it is much cash for those towards the bottom of the earning pyramid. Which is no big deal, since there is so much stuff out there to freely download.
Gotta Say . . ..
. . .That debit cards are different from charge cards, crucially. Oh well.
I still wonder about GD/Rhinos 'research and development' market models?
Aside from the year 1965, how did they settle on a 6500 production volume? If the early sales figures are accurate than they seriously under-produced this product.
Although. it may be that due to server gremlins and unintended multiple orders that there just might be a lot more product than the early calculations here suggest.
Which is good for me.
If the early figures are indeed accurate: Hey Rhino up the volume to 10,000 plus!
Do not worry about parasitic eBay resellers(Heads- fans selling an extra for $ excluded, I am talking about different animals here, like scalpers with hundreds of computers holding tickets 'hostage.') False-Flag complaining about the 'collectors-market' and GD/Rhinos' reputation. Just yank the rug out from under them! Now, please.
"it is also apparent that
"it is also apparent that many here lack a basic understanding of how credit card transactions for future purchases and charges work."
Condescending attitude aside, many things that are pre-ordered charge you immediately so I can understand why people might have questions especially after the difficulty some had making their order yesterday.
DJMAC 520 Gotta Correct You
You are incorrect my friend. I must say it is you with the lack of understanding. I experienced the server issue yesterday while using my bank account debit card, was prompted by dead.net customer support to try multiple times to get it to go through (while I was on the phone with them I might add), and the funds are depleted from my bank account today for up to 6 days. Today, my bank account is empty, and so, I cannot purchase anything on it.
Hindsight is 20/20....
....after sleeping on it, I just bit the bullet. I would regret not getting this forever, so I dove in. No sure if the 1100+- number remaining is correct. Does that count the multiple units people possibly bought yesterday without realizing it? Time will tell....
Looking forward to most of the shows. Have never heard about half of them. Cape Cod and Augusta! Whoo-hoo! I enjoy all eras. I am not too hard to please....this box is definitely bound to cover more than just a "little" more ground...
Buyers Remorse
I hope it changes in September, but right now I am having a little bit of buyers remorse.
It's a lot of money!
I cant imagine Jerry would be cool with any of this stuff Rhino is pulling off.
But I'm trapped... I want to have the highest quality I can get for these shows... and I was just going to get the FLAC from the Digital, but there is no discount for that so I'm getting the CD Box for the nostalgia of it.... ugh...
The cost will be depreciated over ne next 4 months so I guess I can rationalize it one way or another.
And I cant believe Barton 77 is not included... I hope that is the next DaP (subscriber).... that would make a lot of people that didn't get this box very happy!
Re: WarEagle
That's my memory as well, War Eagle. In the past, I got charged right away, not when the box shipped.
I was surprised to see all the chatter about the charge coming in Sept. I am 99% sure that is not how this was handled with prior box sets.
Be careful all..
Extra copy?
Lol i wish. But 700.00? No chance. Im skippin this one for sure.
Jerry's thoughts
I always laugh to myself when folks think they know what Jerry would have to say about things today. Do you think in hind sight he might have cut back on the smack, Camels, milk shakes, etc.? Because unless he did, he would not be here today as is the case. So please. let's not make Jerry out to be THE oracle of the world. Thinking of him as some kind of God helped to drive him further into his isolated drug world. He was a great guy and a phenomenal guitarist, but he was human and had issues & foibles as we all do. Let him rest in peace and please don't tell me what he would have thought about the rest of the band going into business with Rhino. Key word there is business. Rhino does not do all of this just for the fun of it. This is the good old U.S. of A. where profit driven business is the norm.
For 6 months folks here have been bitchin' about the lack of music released for the 50th. And you just HAD to know it was going to be huge. There is only one 50th celebration. So now it is announced and lots of folks are complaining. Could I afford the E'72 box when it came out at $450? No I could not at that time. But did I come on here and bitch? No way. Money was tight at that time for me but that didn't mean the box should not come out.
You have 3.5 months to save up. Plus if you put it on your credit card and make monthly payments, even with interest, it will not be so bad. If you still think you cannot afford it, please do not piss on the folks who are buying it. Let them enjoy it and let's all continue to revel in all of the great music that is available to all of us from this great band. They are not super human beings. Just a bunch of guys who made some great music together.
Rock on
Check your order
I would strongly urge everyone who made multiple orders yesterday because of the server problems to call Dead.net and confirm whether or not your unconfirmed orders went through. Despite some of the posts here, and despite an email last night from Dead.net indicating my order "probably" did NOT go through absent a confirming email and order # and advising me to re-order, an agent confirmed my order today by phone. She gave me an order # which I have confirmed on the site. Still no confirmation email but the order is there.
288 page book
288 page book inside! Cool. Some reading and listening and listening and reading.
30 Trips All Mucic Edition?
Without the box and stuff you could sell them for 6.5 dollars a disc which would make it 520 dollars.
WarEagle & JiminMD
Any box set that was pre-ordered was not an immediate charge. It was at the time of shipping. Happened with both Spring 90s. Happened with Hampton, happened with Winterlands and I believe Europe as well.
Key is pre-order. Not purchase at the time available for immediate shipping. If you were charged for a box at the time you ordered from this site it was not pre-order.
As WarEagle points out though, other ventures are different including Ticketfly which charged immediately for Lesh Cap tix that were 8 month off. But here it has always been "not until shipping"
Re: Preorder / direwulf
I bet you are right, you seem more sure than I am. Sorry if I caused unnecessary alarms.
Sorry All.
:<~
Who ends up getting #6500 anyway ?
I agree they totally misjudged this one in terms of physical sets. If you were asking for fan submissions in March of 2015 and knew since 2012, a career spanning set would go down. With most likely a few shows heavily requested and that were designated from the start. I'm guessing 10.12.84 was one. Is that the first release from 1984 ? It would have been a cool Dave's Pick, since I think it was on the original promo list, but it's in the box for $700. It will be interesting to see what the next Dave's Pick is. If it's another 70's pick, 80's folks may go nuts. Knowing they ponied up money in 2014 for a subscription after seeing that show mentioned on the promo list a few years ago hoping for it to finally show up after going through 14 of 15 with just one from after 1978.
I think Rolling Stone mentions and I think it was also mentioned in the windy announcement video when the idea was pitched for the career spanning box jaws just dropped and big smiles were had. It definitely seems like most were overwhelmed from the start of the project. This ordering process fiasco better be the last gaffe for the remainder of this transaction. From a lot of angles Rhino botched this one up.
It's nuts to think, like somebody else had pointed out. At the time of the announcement only 4 shows were revealed on the actual purchase page. And now a message reads they were scooped, so they announced all of them. If plans change that quick after sticking to a process. Then it's a sign to me that organization could have been better and I wonder really how well things were thought out. I would like the process to be a little more transparent. Put out a video of the product reveal.
mbarilla
10-12-84 is indeed the first (and if I had to guess, even as someone who is OK with 1984, the last) full show release. Prior to this there was one song 12-31-84 Shakedown on SMR box, released from 1984.
As a full-fledged advocate of 1980s show releases, even I didn't pony up for a DP subscription with any expectation of an 80s show forthcoming. Just not likely and not where history -- and likely sales data -- reveal the focus to be. I support the DP initiative regardless of whether I like the picks or not and all but a few rather vocal 80s fans likely do the same if they subscribe. Doubt it is expectation based commitment.
As for the scooping, it was odd indeed considering that they kinda scooped themselves in listing the 4-CD set which listed the shows the songs were culled from no?
A Box Too Far
This doesn't make any sense to me. Th only reason I can think of for buying this is to put it up on eBay unopened and try to make a killing.
I won't be buying it.
I am Surprised
In the predictions over the past 6 months, a couple of people mentioned the concept of 30 Trips (i.e. a show for each year they were in business). I doubted it. Seemed like too big a task and too much money. Europe '72 I could understand, because it was Europe '72. I am happy with what's coming, even though I have no use for anything after 1978. It would have been cool I think, to have a 1979 show featuring Keith and Donna from early in the year. Perhaps next Dave's Picks...
Best Visions of Johanna Ever Included!
I am so grateful that they chose the show that contains the very best version of Visions of Johanna the band ever played on 2/21/95.
Now I just need to summon the $$$$!
Vindication
Seems the majority of those complaining here are bent about having to pay so much money just because they hate '80s and '90s and only want '70s shows, many of whom being the same who have always given me a hard time for airing my desires/wish list and having to wait through so many '70s releases before the release of something from the beginning and second half of their career.
I predicted this role reversal a couple of years ago and am not surprised that it only took one release to have them raise a conniption, while I waited for over 20 years of releases.
To me, this looks like the ideal release format. A comprehensive collection that covers every year. My hopes are that the Dave's Picks series picks up where this one leaves off.
SPACEBRO
See, no.
The only shred of commonality in the objections to the box is the cost. Not the quality, not the inclusion of 80s shows, but the cost.
You have mischaracterized the objections to serve your own agenda and, in the process, have invited yet another round of responses and attacks on yourself. You have also essentially assured that yet another thread will be hijacked by the incredibly tired 70s versus 80s shows debate upon which you seem to thrive. Pretty much created a straw man argument just to knock it down to make yourself feel "vindicated."
You have no one to blame but yourself when the vitriol comes your way and despite doing so in the past, I will have zero sympathy for you in the process, nor will I defend your position.
Mega-box
I have no complaint about the span of years -- of course you would include the 80s and 90s (although I am a hardcore 70s fan).
My complaint -- and disappointment -- is that the only special offering for the 50th costs $700. No, I do not count the 3rd or 4th or whatever version of "Greatest Hits." And no, I do not think $700 is an unreasonable price for 80 disks.
But couldn't there be another option, somewhat short of $700, available which would ALSO celebrate the 50th, yet be a bit more affordable for those who can't -- or won't -- spend $700??
Very disappointed in this release, for that reason.
box
I already posted that I am passing on this box-- weighing how much listening it would get when there is so much already in the collection, I can't rationalize it with my familial obligations. I hoped for a couple of smaller boxes this year, but alas... not to be. Hope all the folks enjoy this immense release.
I don't care for folks bashing it or the decisions behind doing it (now, # of units if it sells out quickly is up to debate). Or pulling out the "what could Jerry think?" line. If you can't afford it, don't hate on folks who can and will get it. There has been so much petty jealousy this year toward folks who got lucky and got tix to the shows, does it have to extend here? I still feel guilty that I have tickets to Chicago and I shouldn't-- I got lucky and should be able to just enjoy.
As noted by others, people suggested last year that there would be something big in the offing this year. Save up, make arrangements or don't get it. Simple as that. My eggs are all in the Chicago basket for 2015 GD spending money (and DaP sub). So, no box for me. Big deal-- I am a big boy and can deal with it. Still plenty of Good Ol' Grateful Dead in the cabinet for my listening pleasure.
BobbQ3, there is a 4-CD
BobbQ3, there is a 4-CD "version" of the box set with 1 song from each show. Not sure if that's what you mean by a more affordable option, or if you meant a more affordable box set.
Everything about
Spacebrother is totally repugnant.Avatar, comments, attitude, just everything!!!
JUST GO AWAY AND STAY AWAY PLEASE!!!!!
ps...love the BOX!
Where do these shows fall on best-of year lists?
I was thinking of how these shows were regarded when the DeadBase crew did a somewhat scientific poll back in '95 (Deadbase IX), asking which shows were your faves for each year. Here's how the Box Set fares:66 - 3rd (1 and 2 still unreleased)
67 - 1st
68 - Unknown then. Not even listed in Compendium.
69 - 9th
70 - Unknown then. Not listed in Compendium
71 - Unknown then. Not listed in Compendium
72 - 19th
73 - 31st
74 - 14th
75 - 2nd (1st already released)
76 - Didn't register - I don't think anything but an aud and a brief pre-FM circulate
77 - Didn't register. Has circulated as aud or poor SB
78 - Didn't register. No SB circulating.
79 - Numero Uno. Widely considered best show of year.
80 - Didn't register. No SB circulating.
81 - 5th (Circulating SB 2nd set only)
82 - 9th
83 - 19th (and that's for the Aud tape)
84 - 7th (again, for the legendary Aud)
85 - 13th (already circulates HQ SB)
86 - 14th
87 - #1
88 - 19th
89 - 5th (1, 2 and 4 already released)
90 - 29th
91 - #1
92 - 7th (Hornsby + Dark Star)
93 - 12th
94 - 11th
95 - no rankings in DB9, but highly regarded in compendium. Very interesting set list.
I see the shows falling into 4 categories:
HIGH DEMAND shows - So, there are 4 #1's, a #2, 6 more top tens. About a third of this box has been in HIGH DEMAND for a long time.
UNCIRCULATED - About 10 of them have either been uncirculated or haven't been out as SBs.
LESSER KNOWN SHOWS FROM EPIC YEARS - And then there are numerous below the radar shows from strong years (72-72, 90)
"YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TRUST ME ON THIS ONE" - Some head-scratchers from the last decade. I guess we'll just have to assume Dave chose them for good reason.
Does anyone else recall any other published surveys ranking people's favorite shows from each year?
So much to talk about on these! It's like Xmas in June. The equivalent of 7 and a half years worth of Dave's Picks in one swift kick in the ass.
Now it's time to set my mind up for the Rolling F'in Schtones tonight!
Peace and maxed credit cards...
iGrateful
Not too surprised that Cornell '77 isn't on the list. I think that show is too iconic to be included in a box set like this, or as part of the DP subscription. I think they'd want to either release that on it's own (if they ever obtain the masters) or in a small box set from that run.
Box Format
I still think my idea would've suited everyone better.
4 separate box sets
Each set consisting of 10 shows from each decade (60's, 70's, 80's, 90's)
Each set sold for $299.99
Cornmelia...
I think Cornell if it ever gets officially released will be more along the lines of Sunshine Daydream. Everybody will have a crack at it. As far as this box goes I'm really looking forward to the 66-71 shows and the 79-95 stuff. I do have 10/27/79 and it's a fave but can't wait to hear if it's really upgraded. I'm supper psyched that two ME shows are presented here as well! Greek 68, I'm in. No more emails to Dave from me grousing about a 66 & 67 show seeing the light of day. Bet he'll be happy with that.
Re: Mar-T
Thanks, Mar-T.
Great detail. I'm not usually one for categories, but yours make a good deal of sense - I think you have this just about perfect.
I am still trying to wrap my brain around this, after having it blown by the sheer scope (and cost).
Three subsets come to mind, the older years (can't wait to hear what they should like), the high end shows (79, 87 and 91) and the eclectic shows (84, 85, 75, and 60's).
Wow.
Re: Cornell
Still think there'll be a Betty Board or Spring '77 Too box with Cornell as the available-everywhere standalone like the Branford show was last year. There's always 2017 for the 40th anniversary...
Actually, Spacebrother
is partly correct in his assessment, at least where I'm concerned. I only want parts of the first half of this box, and am unwilling to pay for the whole shebang just for those few shows I want. That is simply the decision I have made as a consumer.
But, you really can't draw an equivalency between "waiting," and the situation we have here. While you may have had to wait for your preferred releases, they were not locked within an expensive box full of other stuff you didn't want, but were rather made available for purchase on their own.
Think about it: it's not as if you were required to buy the Europe '72, Winterland 1973, and May 1977 boxes in order to get access to Spring 1990 or Spring 1990 TOO. And yes, I know you love all eras, but that's beside the point.
I've tried to be as diplomatic as possible in this response. Hopefully this post won't be deleted.
product sku
081227955892