Grateful Dead

In February, the band plays three shows around Chinese New Year at what is now named Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium, in Oakland. This mid-February run becomes a regular kickstart to the new year. In the spring the band lands a new gig - writing the music for the revived 'Twilight Zone' television show. In April, Mickey Hart and Dan Healy take a day off from tour to record the Gyuto Monks. Various parts of the Dead family will be involved with the monks for years to come. Also in April, the band goes into Marin Vets to film an hour-long video (out in 1987) that will be called So Far. In June, two shows are cancelled so that the band can attend Wagner's Ring Cycle at the San Francisco Opera. That month the band celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. New Year's Eve this year is at Oakland Coliseum for the first time, and comes with a nationwide radio and television hookup.