30 Trips Around The Sun Box & Digital USB

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September 4, 2015 - 10:38am

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admin

Joined:
March 9, 2007

"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

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March 23, 2016 - 9:15pm

#101

FZ_Fan

Joined:
September 9, 2015

Who to Contact For Replacement Discs

I need to get some replacement discs for my 30 Trips Box. I have already tried emailing Dr. Rhino and have yet to receive a reply after one week. I also tried calling into dead.net customer service and the line has been busy for over 1 hour now. Is there anyone else that I can contact? Thanks in advance for any help. UPDATE: Finally got through to customer service and they have placed the request for my replacement discs.
March 23, 2016 - 4:48pm

#102

Kayak Guy

Joined:
June 4, 2015

The Attack of "Viola Lee Blues

I'll admit I don't think I've ever met a Viola Lee I didn't like, but this show has always been a favorite. The box version is as good as I have ever heard it, even though it has circulated for years as "the Amazing Electric Wonders" shows. Here's the show from the next night, which is still in the Vault. https://archive.org/details/gd1967-11-11.116369.sbd.motb-0173.flac24 Don't let the quality spoil you though, you won't get another mutlitrack until the 1989 Trip. This is a great set, but the 1981 choice still puzzles me with that 30 minute AUD patch to finish the show. This, to me, was the first filler show for the box and they must be saving the complete 1981 stuff for another release.
March 23, 2016 - 6:18am

#103

Bach 2 Bach

Joined:
June 5, 2007

Sailor>Saint

Love that buildup/transition on Cornell '81. Augusta '84 ain't too shabby either.
March 22, 2016 - 4:22pm

#104

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Another Slow, but Steady Assault

I am just cracking into the first set of 1981. I am enjoying the 80's tremendously so far. I have to say the best thing so far in the box was '67.. I agree, KYTrips, what a show and what a recording. It ranks right up there with Two From the Vault in all time, gooey raw goodness. I love the embryonic That's It For The Other One, but the whole thing smokes. '68 and '69 delivered, but there's a rarity about a good 1970 show that gives me goosebumps when I hear a new one I have not listened to yet. Yes.. the early shows were the highlights for me, but the whole thing is very well done. Well, tearing into the second half of the box. What fun.
March 22, 2016 - 7:44am

#105

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

1967 (or The Attack of "Viola Lee Blues")

Right out of the gate this show smokes! It is readily apparent that this is a completely different animal than the 1966 Trip, and that this band has grown immeasurably in 16 months. Mickey is now in the fold, and the sound of the band is completely different. It's pretty rare for a show opener to be the best song of the show, but "Viola Lee Blues" is THAT good here. Jerry is on fire right from the start. Without a doubt, the best VLB I've heard. "It Hurts Me Too" and "Beat It On Down The Line" are both solid, but nothing extraordinary. However, BIODTL does confirm that since the 1966 Trip, Bobby has learned to become a singer, rather than a shouter. "Morning Dew" is excellent, and one of the better early versions I've heard of it. I always preferred the later versions of "Morning Dew", after they'd slowed down it's tempo considerably, but this one definitely holds its own. The first CD closes with a solid performance of "Good Morning Little School Girl" with Pig in all his glory. The second disc is a jamming tour de force... starting with a really good "That's It For The Other One", including some lyrics that obviously were altered later on by the Dead. I've never been a big fan of "New Potato Caboose" but this version makes you appreciate the song for what it is... a great jamming vehicle. The show closes with a stellar version of "Alligator" and then a perpetual "Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)" which I didn't think would ever end (and I mean that in a good way). While I thought the 1966 show was really good for a band at the beginning of their career, this show is better by leaps and bounds in my humble opinion. If I were Robert Christgau of the Village Voice, I would rate this show an "A" with hints of an "A+".
March 17, 2016 - 11:54am

#106

Sixtus_

Joined:
November 8, 2014

KYT...I'm impressed

...with your restraint! Taking it low and slow just like the 'ole crock pot. Good for you, giving them all their due. Mad respect. That theory sounded excellent to me, and what did I do upon receipt? ....jumped straight to '72, '73, '91. I share your AWE as well with the '67 Viola. Actually now that I think about it, THAT was the first song I put on when I got the box, as I knew it was one of the multi-track shows and just wanted a little taste. My jaw dropped, and I've been emitting a little drool out the side of my mouth ever since, every time at it's mention. Sixtus
March 16, 2016 - 10:56am

#107

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

Delayed listening

DaveStrang... No. I will back-burner the new box set (which I've already ordered) until I make it all the way thru the big box. I vowed to myself that when I started the big box, I wouldn't co-mingle other Dead while working through the box. Before I start the new box, I'll still have DaP 17, DaP 18 and possibly DaP 19 to catch-up on as well as some recently acquired Jerry solo stuff. It truly is a good problem to have!
March 16, 2016 - 10:11am

#108

DaveStrang

Joined:
November 9, 2011

KYTrips

Glad you were finally able to dive into the largest box set ever produced. I'm sure there will be many highlights for you. I could tell you some of mine but there's no need for that. I was surprised how good the 90's shows sounded. With the new box set coming out, will this further delay your listening?
March 16, 2016 - 8:07am

#109

KYTrips

Joined:
August 25, 2012

Finally.... 1966!

So... almost 6 months after Boxzilla landed on my front porch, I've finally gotten around to listening to the first two shows of this embarrassment of riches. I've been so backlogged with other music and other GD releases that I've acquired in the last year, that I just kept avoiding diving into this thing. It's a nice problem to have, I know. Here are my takeaways on the 1966 show after two listens... First... the sound is terrific (in my opinion) for a live recording from 1966. The mix could have been a little more even-handed. I think Pig's organ is WAY up in the mix, so much so that it drowns out/overshadows some of Jerry's better guitar work in this show. The overall show is definitely raw, but in a good way. They certainly sound like a band that was going places (hindsight obviously being 20/20 and all). The crowd applause between songs makes it sound like there were maybe 50 or so people there. Oh... if only I had a Delorean with a flux-capacitor! Highlights for me are: Viola Lee Blues, Tastebud, Cream Puff War, Gangster of Love and In the Midnight Hour, with Gangster of Love being my favorite song in the show. I thought Viola Lee Blues sounded fantastic until I listened to it as the opener of the 1967 trip.... DAMN!!! Negatives: Cardboard Cowboy might be, IMHO, the worst song that the Dead were ever affiliated with. I can certainly understand why it was abandoned early on. Overall, for a band that had been "together" for less than a year, and that still hadn't released any studio work, I think it sounds great. This show definitely put me in the mood to keep on listening.
March 14, 2016 - 3:53pm

#110

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

Thanks hbob

I assumed they were all two-track. Would love to know what else they have in the vault that are from multi-track sources. All I'm aware of are Feb Port Chester '71, April Fillmore East '71, Oct Winterland '74, and recently in his Seaside Chat, DL mentioned something from '76.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

"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

24 Box Sets Left

I hope there isn't going to be too many people regretting not buying. I want to see the inside of this box, how the CD's are packed and pictures of the book really bad.

O.K....

Gearing up some shows waiting for this box...daves 8, dicks 13, and dicks 32 which are shows all around shows in "Boxzilla"... just passing the time!....

The packaging....

....I believe that the discs will be presented ala DaP with a hard foam laser cut "case" with slots ala a firearm case or something to hold a collection of Toy Story dolls ala Toy Story 2. Or they might be presented with a May '77 setup. Who knows? No Road Trips please!!....

Only 22 boxes left

They have been going fast this week end. Should be sold out tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. I guess we will not see the inside of the box until the postman delivers it in 3 weeks. Can't wait. Rock on

Moses Quasar

Don't skip 7-28-82. A fantastic show, not officially released but great nonetheless. A fantastic TLEO. A top choice for release if you asked me. Funny, I haven't really latched on the other Red Rocks '82 shows yet, but this one has always been a favorite since I've been listening on tapes. Gotta get to those other ones myself just to hear if they capture the magic...

220 left

220 left - the 200 I ordered I've cancelled as didn't think I'd make enough profit back... Just kidding....but I might have a spare (through mis-ordering) taking offers over $1500 in 6 months lol Now where's the goddamn pictures of the inside!!

Jed

Our friend from Tennessee doesn't need me to defend him, BUT I'll say there is a place in that one for Jerry to soar. It's in the instrumental bridge part, where he often starts off with a carnival theme and often ends somewhere I could not have predicted. Not all of them achieve lift off, but many of them do. The repetition of the verse licks can be a little tedious if you're not in the mood for it. But that song would be far from making my list of "wish they never wrote it". That honor would go to LLR for me, at least in terms of songs from early on.

Countdown

17 days until the ELEPHANTINE box ships.

One Man - LLR

I would agree that LLR can often be, um, pedestrian. But, I still remember being in the car as a teenager in 1979 sometime hearing that tune for the first time on a tape when my brother mentioned "doesn't Jerry's playing there sound just like rain pitter pattering deliciously over your mind?" Wish I could remember what tape it was. A Tempe tape, maybe. Anyway, since then I've heard a few versions where they blow the roof off bringing that tune to its end. Now, El Paso - maybe some of those early ones could get creative, but it never did much for any of the shows I was at. I would put it on my list before LLR. Did someone already put Day Job on the list??

11 boxes left now

It is only a few hours now until "Sold Out" gets posted Rock on

10 it's raining looks like rain

One of my fav's. I've ALWAYS thought 4/16/83 was the best one ever done. You want rain on the roof,,, this is the one. https://archive.org/details/gd83-04-16.sbd.miller.28294.sbeok.flacf I had a shit tape for years, was so happy when I found a soundboard by Charlie.

it's raining looks like rain

Only 8 left

Get 'em while their hot!!!!

Down to 5

5 left!!

4

3

2 2 - oops

Back to 3

3 again

2 oh, to have disposable income

i'd grab this sumbitch

Fillmore 1966.07.03

Slight change of subject from the countdown... I have deadbase 50 and have been wasting lots of time with it. I looked up the Fillmore 1966.07.03 show from this box and on Deadbase XI it has a setlist that matches a copy of this show that I have (I only have the first half). The additions to the Setlist on the deadbase 50 section changes "He was a Friend of Mine" to "Just a Hand to Hold." The copy of the show I have looks like only the first disc, so I'm missing the end of the show... however, it does have "he was a friend of mine" although, it almost sounds like it was from a different show... there is dead space at the end of the track and the sound quality of this song doesn't match the rest. Does anyone else have a copy of this show and have the same experience? Also, what is "just a hand to hold..." Never heard it. just killing time waiting for the big box...

Can't wait .. Hurry up

I am thrilled I got my box set , wish my father were still with us to enjoy it, he took me to my 1st dead show at 10. What a long strange trip it's been

gone

Finally. At least now those that can't afford it can lose the temptation. I am relieved

SOLD OUT

Okay let's start shipping!!!!

Hooray!

I couldn't agree with you more. I feel relief that it's finally sold out. I have known since the day it was announced I would not be able to get it and now I can finally stop scheming and dreaming of ways to make it happen. Should I just open up a credit card my wife doesn't know about and get it? Is this worth getting a divorce over? Ha! Congrats to all those that will have this treasure trove coming their way in mere days! Enjoy! I will get the 4 Disc compilation and be happy to have it.

Unbelievable

Already on eBay, COMPLETE box for $1,195.00, FREE shipping, 10 watching per hour, it doesn't take long, does it?

Now that it's sold out...

I'm getting worried that my order accidentally got canceled... Just paranoia...

Accidental Cancellation

Same thing here Dusty.rambler. I went through and double checked my order when there was about 10 left.

Now that it's sold out...

How about a little more info on the box, if we can't get any pictures? Who did the artwork? Are all the CD covers by the same artist? Are they digipacks, sleeves, those DVD sized things from the 1977 box or something new and even more difficult to be put a shelf with the other CDs? Is the box number going to be on the single? What is the "box" constructed with? Does it really contain a scale version of the cardboard cut out that was inducted into the R&R Hall of fame? Does it ship on the 18th or is that the day it is scheduled to arrive?

Artwork for CD cases

I think it would be really cool if the artwork for each show was a reproduction of the poster or flyer for each event. I've done this for my catalog of shows and always think that the artwork of the show helps me feel the vibe for the show better. New original art would be cool, but as this box documents the Dead's journey through time, I think artwork from the time of the show would be cool.

ebay

I wouldn't be surprised to see these (complete sets, not broken up) going upwards of $2000 or even more in second hand markets after they start shipping. An investors wet dream if you are one of "those" types of people, and with lots 'o money. Myself, it's all about the music and my personal enjoyment of listening to it, which to me is priceless with no monetary value. I see investors and salesmen as those with no real emotional attachment to the product. Just the money they can squeeze out of it...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Re: Artwork for CD cases

Yes that would be cool to have the actual poster art as part of the cover. The later tours didn't have many show specific posters, but they always had a nice tour poster with contemporary poster artists that were worth grabbing.

re: ebay

I guess having bought one I'm an investor, so with that in mind I hope many people sell individual shows from their boxes, for insane amounts of money.This will make my still complete set a better investment, that pays dividends every time I look at, play with or listen to it's contents. I wonder if it'll fit in my safe deposit box?

Hey Spacebro

Nice Seinfeld drop at the end!

Still sold out

They didn't "have a few more left" this time (like DaP 15). I'm imaging if orders are canceled they will not offer them back for sale until everyone who ordered got one. This would give them spares for damaged products or dropped orders from their site crash when this thing first went up.

wow.

speechless and grateful. faith in the human race restored... email box full, and one amazing friend on the eastern seaboard. it's why my musical life revolves around this band alone.

30 Trips physical is a done deal.....

....looks like Rhino's abacus was calibrated just right.... ....congrats Brian. I thought I saw your finger up in this Internet parking lot....you deserve it....

Cancelled order....

....just checked mine. Says backordered but not cancelled, so I think I'm good. Dead.net has not failed me yet....(crossing fingers and toes. Ouch.)

30 Trips Artwork

That question went unanswered..(at least when I asked it). I'm curious too, it can make the difference between something cool and something really special.

Re: 30 trips artwork

I really like the art work from May 77' and from Spring 90 Too, however those were 5 and 8 shows respectively. The art for this 30 year box will hopefully be more diverse. I think both of the previously mentioned boxes really fit the time... How are they going to capture art from a 30 year span. This mystery makes me giddy just thinking about it, and now that we are so close to delivery, I say DONT give us a preview of the art. I can wait 3 weeks for a surprise!

Comments on this page are no longer accessible from main page

Was on main page and clicked the link to boxset and got everything on this page except the comments - waz up wit dat? Before this page goes away I am interested in a show by show discussion that someone mentioned earlier. Is this something Mary can pass on to the webmasters? I am planning to in sequential order from the start. Now that it's sold out, break out the videos discussing the shows please!!! Dave vs Wild! With special guest appearance by Bear Grylls showing Dave how to ride a whale with just a few of his bumperstickers and a 50th totebag.

Show discussion forum

I brought this up a while ago and saw some interest. Would live to see that here or created elsewhere. I think it would be cool if 30 threads were available at all times so anyone could discuss the show they were listening to. I looked into creating a free forum and it's possible, but I don't have the time right now to invest (planning my wedding). If dead.net can't create this for us, can someone else take the lead here and find the right forum? Steve-something.tv was mentioned. I checked it out and was unimpressed as any topic can be created so it would be hard to find the various threads, but I'll go where the discussion is.

Dusty.rambler

A suggestion to go here: http://www.dead.net/shows-by-yearI'll meet you there. That section of the site is begging for traffic.

Now the BIG ? IS.....

Now that GARGANTUA has finally...SOLD OUT, will TPTB at least think about releasing each show individually, a la, E72 TCR, or is the consensus here on this forum is that's not going to happen? And while I'm at it why not a "sneak" peak at what's inside, inquiring minds (at least mine) would like to know what my $699.98+ TAX gets me.

boblopes...

It seems the message board part is tied to the BOX SET.Because it's sold out, when you click the main page link, it brings you to the USB purchase page. No msg board. So go to store>Music. Click 30 trips box set. here you are.

Shows by year

Thanks Wilfred. This section was recommended a while back, but the page wasn't working. I'd gladly use this space if it is operational!

50th anniversary box set

Now that it's sold out maybe they can start shipping it tomorrow? I can't believe there's still people that don't know what on this...it's 30 shows complete and they're 1 show from each year...they have the show and track list...let's put this way you'll be busy for at least a year listening to the 30 shows on top of the shows you have already...I assume 99% of the people who get Dave's picks got this one too...i'm kind of uneasy about the price but who can say it's cool I can pay 700$ with no problem it won't set me back much...a few lawyers and doctors maybe...but i'll be entertained for at least a year so it's worth it I guess...worth it where I couldn't pass it by either.

yeah

It works, I check it every day. And, I think I'm the one that recommended it. Great reads, and you'll find mvp's everywhere (most valuable posters: e.g. 'hockey john') Good luck with your wedding planning. So glad I eloped!

product sku

081227955892