Forums
"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
25 hours since the box arrived ...
25 hours since the arrival of this "boxzilla": - my order status still says "backordered";
- no shipping notice in my inbox yet;
- I can still stream the music (may expire sometime in November)
- the 10/12/84 Dew seems to be a full soundboard, not audience patch as with the stream;
- I downloaded the .pdf of the book, so no trouble there until I delete it from my computer;
- I enjoy this box very much;
- Keith Godchaux has some very nasty words for "saintstephen1971".
Good to go...
Box unpacked, all discs, book, scroll and swag accounted for. Looks great. I really can't imagine why anyone would want to break it up for $$, but hey that's just me.
Box #2076 (no miracle)
Tik: 10/30/91 Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland CA
Pass: 8/21/93 Autzen Stadium, Eugene OR
Ah, where to start?
Oh me oh my-oh
Delivered in Ohio.
#3901
Stub: 6/27/93 Sacramento, CA
Pass: 3/22/95 Charlotte, NC
This thing is just amazing. So why can I only focus on the fact that the winter mural on the back is just slightly starting to peel away by the right hinge...
Ripple words
I've always sung (to myself) "If my words did glow/with the cold of sunshine"...and it turns out Jerry was singing "with the gold of sunshine..." Who knew? Even when I saw him sing it at the Warfield with Grisman, I was singing "cold"...no wonder people were laughing at me. Kind of like when my friend was keeping a list at Shoreline and he listed "Tear Up and Station"...well, maybe not exactly the same.
So there's one benefit I've received from the box already...the correct Ripple words. Thanks!
g1u2i3 here - "Happy" comment
Dead.net newbie from the Chicago suburbs here . . . I've been reading the forum for awhile, but only joined when I bought the 30 Trips Box Set. I never got to see GD Live, so I really enjoy (and value) the conversations, all of you have, about shows and songs. Hearing from all of you who have done so much more GD Live listening than I have is awesome. So a big thanks! This is a great community (for the most part)! :-)
Since this is my first post, I want it to be a positive one. I received the 30 Trips Box Set just now. I didn't listen to any streams, look at the PDF Book or watch the "unboxing" video. The anticipation for these many, many weeks has been so excruciating, I thought I was going to have to seek medical attention!
So . . . the Box is beautiful, clever design, really a special piece to own. It's the coolest piece of music "media" I've ever seen. It makes me want to go on a road trip to California, just to listen to these shows in a deserved beautiful setting, the West. "Thank you's" and "high fives" to all involved.
By the way, I received . . .
#5679
Ticket: 1991-10-31 (Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA)
Backstage Pass: 1993-06-22 (Deer Creek Music Center, Noblesville, IN)
g1u2i3 here - "Sad" comment
I also had to share the down side of the 30 Trips Box that I received. So, I'm opening the packaging for the Box (also nicely done, by the way), get to the actual Box and my heart literally flutters! Very exciting! I open up the cover and see all of the shows . . . amazing. Such a warm feeling came over me, like it's GD "comfort music". It only took a second to find the flip down "name panel" where the book is stored, which is also a very cool touch. So, I thought, well, the rest of the goodies must be behind the back "name panel". As I'm turning the Box around, of course, I'm reading the "name panels". Then, I pause . . . and do a double take. I don't think I saw Jerry's name . . . jeez, or Bob's or Pig Pen's either. I do a full 360 degree look again . . . and what do you know, there is no Jerry Bob Pig (Pen) "name panel". When they assembled it, they attached the T.C Keith "name panel" on each of the sides of the Box.
Quickly my ecstatic feeling washes away. I immediately pick up the phone to call Customer Service and start to explain what the situation was. Amazingly, when I initially spoke of the "name panels" around the bottom of the Box, the agent said, "Name panels? What do you mean?" I had to make her go to the website to look at the picture of the Box. She had no idea what this Box looked like. Great start to a customer service conversation. After seeing the picture, the next thing she says (in a completely non-customer service tone) is, "So what do you want me to do about it. This is a limited run product."
Holy Sh*t! Really? I said, "I spent $758 on this and expect it to be correct. Especially, since you've made us all wait for you 'to get it just exactly right'". And of all of the "name panels" to be missing, it's the one with Jerry on it, my favorite GD band member. So, she tells me to email her a picture of it and gives me her direct email address. So I do. A few minutes later, I get an "email not delivered" message. And I had read the email address back to her, so I knew it was correct. Now, I'm starting to get nervous. Was that an intentional blow off from a customer service agent?
I called back again and this time the agent told me to send it to deadnet at custhelp.com, and I did. I do not have a good feeling about the outcome of this . . . and it saddens my GD heart. While the music is the most important thing, this Box is so cool, I want it be correct. Can you imagine looking at your Box the rest of your living days and not seeing Jerry's, Bob's or PigPen's name on it. I don't even want to think about that possibility.
Very sorry, this was so long. I had to tell of my experience, and I know there are some good listeners here :-)
Well, I am going to go listen to my first show from the Box . . . fully expecting my ecstasy to return . . .
Peace and kindness
g1u2i3
They're heeeere....
My box showed up today without any notice. Not even on MyUPS! So, it was nice. I can promise that the numbers have nothing to do with when you ordered...I'm 6196 (or something like that) and I ordered within an hour on the first day. No big. But mine is intact, thankfully. I'll start digging in during the next week. The book looks awesome and the scroll, Miracle-less, is interesting to look through. Hope everyone gets theirs soon!
Got my MIRACLE
Box came today.
Ticket from 5/27/93
Pass from 8/22/93
Scroll has a gold MIRACLE on top. Any idea how many of these were sent out?
Surprise delivery, ready for weekend
I started with 1967...blown away at the quality! Is this and 1989 the only multi track? Also, I asked Dave a while back about matrix. He replied...possibly 1983 or 1985? He couldn't remember exactly which one Jeffrey Norman matrixed..or if he had done it at all. Anybody notice one yet? You would think the taper would get credit in notes like Daves 8..but maybe it was bands audience tape? Did they do that ever? Anyways...Happy tunes to all!
It was all good until....
I opened the lid of the box and the inner piece of wood that surrounds the CDs was glued to the cover that holds the 7" vinyl. Too much weight for those hinges and they ripped off. Yep..the fu*kin lid broke right off. I can't even get to the record. I assume the ticket and backstage pass are near the record but have no clue because of this large piece of wood glued to the cover. Almost forgot..my Albany 1993 show had a box cutter slice down the spine and the box from another show was damaged also. I can't wait to talk to customer service, and if they're no help, I'll be talking to my credit card company. Amazing..just freakin' amazing.
IT IS
NOT WOOD AND THAT IS NOT GOOD!!!!!! I have a choice, be upset or just move on.. I'm just going to move on & be grateful, as it truly is ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC Not what type of box that music is in.
Tonight's show
7/3/66
Last night it was 2/21/95 & I must say I was pleasantly surprised, for 1995 I would've went with 6/21 but after listening to 2/21 I can see why TPTB went with it.
IT'S FRIDAY IF YOU GET CONFUSED JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC PLAY.
@g1u2i3
Sorry about the bummer, man. Maybe someone that is selling the box here a la carte will help you with a kind gesture?? Just a shot in the dark. Don't fret though, persistence pays off with these types of issues I've found. Rhino has always made it right for me when I've run into issues in the past (which thankfully has only been a couple times - recently with the box cutter issue, other times with faulty discs Winterland '73, Egypt glue (remember that??) and a Spring '90 disc)...P.S. Got my shipping email. My box scheduled to arrive Monday end of day! Nice...I have my fingers and toes crossed...
Dead.net contacted me about the USB
So, I reached out to Rhino about the USB, and someone actually called me back. He was really cool, and very sympathetic. He mentioned something about an issue with production of the chip itself, which is what has been causing delays. More towards the end of the month we should hear more, so hold on tight.
As for you folks with the box - congrats! I'll tell you something, it is so awesome to hear how happy everybody is to have the music (except for some of the obvious issues with packaging and missing discs "box cutter blues"). Wish I was there with ya, but my time will come. Have a great weekend on Shakedown Street - you know, it used to be the heart of town ;)
g1u2i3 / Digipaks coming unglued?
Could be worse, you could have had the side with Donna * Brent * Vince
Could be worth some money, a defect like that. Kind of like the KISS Alive II that had Hooligan, Take Me, and Do You Love Me
I have quite a few of these digipaks that are literally coming unglued (Howie came unglued? NO! HOWIE WAS A ROCK - BEST TAIL GUNNER IN THE OUTFIT! Buddy came unglued!) But seriously, the middle disc of all of these tucks into the middle section / sleeve of the case, and just removing / replacing the CDs has caused the seam to come unglued at the top. Not cool.
the ticket and backstage pass.....
Dude, they are in hidden compartments behind the names on the bottom!!!!
The box is beautiful!
I love it! I got a miracle-less box but that's cool.
ticket stub: 5/27/93 Cal Expo Sacramento CA
backstage pass: 3/22/95 Coliseum Arena Charlotte NC
Just got a shipping notice!
My box was delivered yesterday. Minutes ago I finally received a shipping notice and a tracking number! When I go to track the order, it tells me it was already delivered. Go figure.
complete chaos
I am starting to laugh (albeit a little nervously).
Thanks rrot!
rrot, thanks for the UPS tip earlier. Glad that everybody is getting their boxes. Looks like it won't hit Nebraska 'til Tuesday but I've waited this long, what's another few days.
Just contacted customer service...
I talked to a very nice person named Amy H. (there's two Amy H.'s working there, but this one works nights I believe) and she was very, very helpful. She actually wanted to send a personal message about my problem to Dr. Rhino herself. Worst case with this box she had heard of yet. Most helpful customer service rep. I've had help me since Marye years ago. Now..hopefully I get some good news from Dr. Rhino.
Anyway, at least the CDs are intact (I hope), so I guess I'll start with 1966.
Just got shipping email...
I ordered standard shipping, maybe that's why I have to wait? Oh well, it's ok. Got the shipping email from Dead.net with UPS scheduled delivery this Tuesday here in CA. I've waited this long, what's a few more days right? Glad to hear of so many enjoying their box sets!
Look at it this way
You have the only box with Keithpen as a member.
@ hatch655
WOW that rocks man! IS there any chance you could take a photo of the MIRACLE scroll and post it so all of us here could drool over it?
@hallstallion2005
I new about the compartments on the side, but it wasn't until I looked in the back of the book that I found the ticket and backstage pass. Thanks.
ticket: Oct. 27, 1991, Oakland
pass: May 15, 1993, Las Vegas
Box set trades
2/21/95 Delta Center Salt Lake City pass (this is a gem, right?) ready for trade.12/12/94 Oakland Coliseum General Admission ticket (wow $27.50?!?!) not for trade
G1u2i3's situation
I'm not making light of the issue, and it looks like it may get addressed satisfactorily, but Keithfan's and Mr. Jack's responses were hilarious.
Shipping notice arrived....
....eta is Wednesday. Read below that someone in LA got theirs already. Weird. I live in Las Vegas....trying to figure out dead.net's shipping protocol is like breaking the DaVinci code. Just gives me a headache. Congrats to all of you lucky first listeners. Empathy to those with damaged boxes / missing discs. Sounds like Oxford '88 is the only offender so far. Oh well.... (sigh)....Guess I need to relisten to my 36 DP's, or my 14 RT's, or my 15 DaP's, or my Spring 90 boxes, or my May '77, or my Winterland '73, or my other 30-odd official releases, or my 20 plus Garcia releases.....man, I'm spoiled....
Gangster of Love.....
Disc 2 '66...just finished Gangster of Love... This is really outstanding that we have this pristine quality (relatively ) from so early in the GD development. Im really psyched to ingest this tribute. Its no longer Boxilla for me, it deserves more respect than that...its is a fine tribute. Well done PTB....
So, #4136 is very satisfied...even with the most overproduced ticket 10/30/91 and a backstage pass for Deer Run, Indiana (from memory...barely looked twice actually) if that means anything to anyone, send me a NY show and its yours! Lol...enjoy this Grateful weekend!
oh!
Oh and its my mom's birthday today! Happy Birthday mom! Thanks for letting me go to my first show at msg in 81 even though you opposed because you heard "they make free-love in the isles" at the shows! Lol...I'll never forget that mom...you're the best! And you were right as usual, the love was free
Marye To The Rescue . . .
Many thanks to those with advice on how to handle my Box situation (Mr. Jack Straw, wjonjd, wilfredtjones).
Marye did reach out to me on PM as she said in her post. Which I appreciate so much!
She gave me enough confidence that this will be handled satisfactorily, that I was able to laugh out loud at all of the alternative ways suggested to look at the situation (Mr. Jack Straw, wjond, KeithFan2112, MinasMorgul). That was great!
Thanks for the lift in spirit . . .
back stage pass swap
I don't know which back stage pass I'll get but would gladly trade mine for a 8/21/93. This was one of my favorite shows I attened (SOTM!!)
TICKETS AND BACKSTAGE PASSES
Also was thiking these backstage passes and tickets could be hints to future releases. Would love the '93 Eugene and 10/27/91Bring'em on!!
Box arrived today
#0963Ticket 10-27-1991 Oakland Coliseum Arena
Pass 5-22-1993 Shoreline Amphitheatre
Now I have to put the CDs in jewel boxes.
Potential problems to be aware of w/ box before picking it up?
I scheduled pick up of the box set on Monday at the UPS shop. When I get it home, how should I proceed as to avoid damaging any of it, and what might be some flaws to look for? My experience with other releases from dead.net has been variable over the years in terms of quality. I do not even want to go there with Dr. Rhino if there is a problem with the $700 box set.
Just another happy, happy idiot fan!!!!
Wow..... It's so beautiful..... My wife was actually blown away as well..... I am beyond grateful for this band..... How could it be that in all of music history, no other band comes close??? Gawd it's good to be an idiot fan! Right Patagonia? Sucker.........
@DoTheMorningDew
a large rectangular piece of wood (where the bottom of the hinge is attached) from inside the case was glued to the lid on my box, so that when I opened it the lid just broke off. I would just say be careful when opening it. You should see a blue sleeve containing the vinyl single and that is all..anything more and you have a big problem.
Box #848
Ticket 8-15-86Pass 5 -23-93
Pumped. 7-3-66 is on. Harvest time is here. Couple packaging dings, but not enough for me to act on. Hope those with issues get them rectified quickly. My box was missing at the UPS pick up for a short while, now I have 48 hours to enjoy before work Monday.
Edit: I concur with the need for jewel (bottomed) cases. For a set of this magnitude it should be a given.
Jewel cases....
....they scratch like other mediums. Plus, the 3 disc jewel cases I'm familiar with have that thin plastic tray holding the 2nd and 3rd disc (i.e. some Phish releases I have). That hinge breaks eventually. That "crack" that occurs is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears....
....edit. I'm talking about those cases that have same width as a single disc. The double jewel cases are ok.... (but they still crack/scratch on the surface). Too big for this boxes dimensions, I guess....
Rpping MP3s?
So I'm trying to rip my box into mp3s so I can take this everywhere. But the Album, Artist, Song information isn't available with Windows Media Player. Has anyone had any luck getting the info populated automatically?
Cases
I don't have my box yet but I am planning on putting the disks in paper sleeves and then putting them back in the cardboard cases. Can't test this but it is possible that once in the paper sleeves they may not fit back in the cases so well but I imagine that they probably will go back in nicely. Anyone else try this yet?
product sku
081227955892