Grateful Dead

I doubt if anyone will read this, as that concert was a long time ago and I suspect was in one of the smallest venues they played. I was a senior at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and had just read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. The Wolfe book was the first I had heard of the Dead. Someone announced in one of my literature classes that they were going to be at the Music Box in Omaha next week. So we went. The Music Box is (probably was) small. We sat on the floor close to the stage, with some people in a balcony on both sides. The stage was about 18" high with amps spread around. The Dead came out and strapped on their guitars. Some guy from a local radio station that apparently was sponsoring them for a second gig went to the mike and said "K??? brings you the return of the Dead." I remember seeing Jerry grin at that, then they started to play. It was all so laid back; some of the band were sitting on the amps. The atmosphere was so unlike most of the bands at that time - there was no "show," they just played - and it was amazing. I had never heard anything like it. I remember being mesmerized by Morning Dew. When they took a break, I found myself in the back of the room standing in line to get a Coke or something. I was standing between Phil and Pigpen. The whole night was this intimate experience. They played for about six hours and I've never been the same.

I am really glad you posted this. Part of this show has been being sent along as a bonus disc for one of the vines and I have been listening to it a fair amount as well as the .2/5/69 show also at the Music Box. I really enjoy both of them. If you want copies of these send me a PM. Thank you for sharing. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. Wiliam Blake

Listening to this now three different versions circulating, an aud, Partial sbd and a partial matrix Morning dew to DTR Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

Listening to this now three different versions circulating, an aud, Partial sbd and a partial matrix Morning dew to DTR Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

Listening to this now three different versions circulating, an aud, Partial sbd and a partial matrix Morning dew to DTR Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

Listening to this now three different versions circulating, an aud, Partial sbd and a partial matrix Morning dew to DTR Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam

Love hearing memories of all shows, but especially the earlier one's with Pigpen. 6 hours of playing! Wild I hope that's a bonus on a vine I've signed up for, what a treat! PEACE

What a wonderful, lucid, engaging account of a night so long ago. It had to be fantastic for you to have such a recollection!

Heynow, that is a great story about that show. I didn't see the Dead there back then but saw several other bands play a the Music Box over the years and have loved the venue and it's intimacy. Thanks for the eye/ear witness view. And I forgot about the stage being barely above that old dance floor. Those were amazing 'daze' and you were so lucky to be there then. Back then was the beginning of the Dead's incredible ability to 'turn on a dime" and "soar" and explode into those great jams. Welcome to the site!

Grateful Dead Live at The Music Box on 1969-04-15 - Grateful DeadSet 1: Hard To Handle, Beat It On Down The Line, Morning Dew, It Hurts Me Too, China Cat Sunflower > Doin' That Rag > It's A Sin, Turn On Your Lovelight Set 2: Sittin' On Top Of The World, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Dark Star > St. Stephen > The Eleven