final/last "Memphis Blues": 07-20-94 [60]
setlist
Shakedown
Same Thing
Althea
Memphis Blues>
Tennessee Jed
Promised
H. C. Sunshine
Eternity
Crazy Fingers>
Estimated>
Drumz>
Last Time>
Wharf Rat>
NFA
Unbroken Chain
Same Thing
Althea
Memphis Blues>
Tennessee Jed
Promised
H. C. Sunshine
Eternity
Crazy Fingers>
Estimated>
Drumz>
Last Time>
Wharf Rat>
NFA
Unbroken Chain
show date
Venue
dead comment
2nd and last hometown show
From Shakedown St to Unbroken Chain, the show is when it hit home that it really might be The Last Time, thankfully it wasn't, but it was a great show nonetheless
Never mind the music
The magic was at the camp ground at that show. I thought that the sound was pretty rough at the show, There were moments where Jerry felt like he was struggling, but on the other hand, the rest of the band was fantastic! But the true beauty of the Memphis show took place at the Tom Sawyer camp ground across the river in West Memphis Arkansas. Things went on at that camp ground that changed my entire perspective on life. For those of you who stayed there, thank you!
some strong songs in here
Shakedown was pretty thunderousAlthea is a top 5 version for me
One of the better versions of Unbroken Chain IMHO.
“The Omnipotent Grateful Dead!”
Pissed off Jerry
I recall waiting in a food line about to spend my ticket money on some food when I noticed that a lady was trying in vain to sell a ticket. She was some suburban housewife who looked rather well off. I bailed the food line and scored a ticket for $20. Ran to my friends with a ticket and we began the paved path to the show. If you have never been to this place its really a Pyramid! A big black pyramid. Once in my friends went to the upper seats and I was ushered with girl to the elevator. What did I do!!! Soon the elevator doors opend to the main floor and just walked until I met a bunch of folks and security holding them back. I showed my stub into his face and he grabbed me and lead me the 14th or 16th row!!! I could easily see Jerry just going off on Pjil as they took the stage. He was pissed off and even after a minute into Shakedown Jerry would make his way towards Phil and just scream and bith. It was amazing to see as I had heard but had never seen the pissed off buddha. Great show. I later left the floor and joined my friends for the 2nd set in the nose bleed seats.
Valujet special
This was one of a handful of shows I flew to during my touring life. I agree that the sound was pretty lame at these shows, but the song selection was tits! The Pyramid is a sweet site next to Mud Island not to mention the proximity to Beale St. We never made the treck over to Graceland but it was a good scene overall.
Peace -
David
Tom Sawyer
That's right-Zen Lunatics-it was 'Tom Sawyer Campground' (how your memory fades). Caught Graceland on the way out of town. The gates were closed though. Heads as far as you could see!Wonderful!
Last Grateful Dead show for me
It was my last show seeing the full Grateful Dead because I simply did not get to see a Summer 95 show. My son was born in June. Regardless of how the boys sounded, I always loved the shows because there was so much more to take in aside from the music. And every head always knew that the gems just didn't happen at every single show.
The summer tour was a disaster, so I really hold on tight to my Spring 95 tour memories. The only Summer 95 tour show that I went to was canceled (Deer Creek) due to gate crashers. As one might imagine, I still ended up having an incredible time at the campground that night.
Anyway, this is supposed to be about the April 2nd show. This show was the only time I got to hear Unbroken live, although I was aware that it had been played a few times earlier in the tour. My brother and his wife went nuts in 1995, seeing practically all of the Spring and Summer shows, so I had inside scoop on everything...not to mention that I would often call 1-900-RUN-DEAD to catch reports from the good old "Ace Cubby." who ran that little venture.
After the intermission, a strange feeling told me that this might be the last time I would get to see Jerry and the boys. I can't explain what it was. In the end, that feeling was accurate. During the show, I couldn't get close enough (down on the floor) to be sure that I made eye contact with Jerry, but a couple of times I thought he saw me so I waved as if to say "in case this is the last time...thanks, old buddy...thanks, Jerry." As I mentioned in my comments from the previous show, eye to eye contact with Jerry was something that happened at several shows and I always got a kick of of seeing Jerry laugh at me and the other heads when he would survey the crowd.
When the end of Unbroken Chain was played, I kept telling myself to ditch work and head to Birmingham, but the funds were not there. It was disappointing, but the trip had been so much fun that I felt satisfied. Headed home and back to the grind.
Thanks boys!
I was at this show with my
I was at this show with my brother and my dad. I was 17 or 18 at the time and definitely excited to see my first GD show. The parking lot scene, although I knew what to expect theoretically, totally changed me. My eyes were opened to something that I can't say I completely support or comprehend but that none the less made me a better person knowing it existed. But I don't think this is about that. This is about what happened inside the venue.
The treats that we had picked up in the lot were starting to take effect as we were taking our seats. I am pretty sure that it was all systems go by the opening notes and I was flying high in my mind as were my bro and dad. That in and of itself was strange and yet beautiful - this was a once in a lifetime occurrence all around. Anyway for those who say the music was less than stellar, I would say that this is one of the strengths of the beginners mind. I thought the music was as good as it gets. I recall Crazy Fingers really cracking open my heart, especially when Jerry said "...but I tried". Even though it was my first show, I could tell this was a long strange trip coming to an end. It was palpable and in a sense very classy that they would somehow memorialize what was actually happening live. As if to say, it ain't what it used to be, and it's more fragile then ever, we know that, you know that, but somehow the love is strong enough to bind us still, so here we are one more time. Like the best break-up sex you ever had.
Thanks!
jerry at graceland
my friends and i went to graceland on the off day between the memphis shows and birmingham...our tour was getting ready to enter the house when our guide said we were gonna wait and let another group ahead of ours...i was a little bummed because i was anxious to get in, but then i saw who the other group was...jerry, bill, mickey and company!!!...seeing jerry garcia walk thru elvis' front door drinking a can of stroh's beer was one of the most surreal things...unbelievable experience!!!!
Sound at venue
Weird sound quality up in the cheap seats I recall. Though Rosemont has the high hat wash and echo in the corners too I recall this venue being a bit worse.
These aren't complaints just observations.
memphis blues
On this second night of the Pyramid shows I have to say I wish I would have taken my brother again instead of my girlfriend. Even though it was a great couple of sets, my girl was not into it at all, which made the night kind of a bummer. After the show I took her home and we broke up for good. Guess I should have consulted with an Estimated Prophet first! I would have taken Buck and had a blast.
The Last Time - Bob was right about me
Attended the Memphis shows with friends; First show a Shakedown last show a Shakedown and last song Unbroken Chain.
Thank you GD, almost 20 years now since the last time and 31 years since the first time. The music, the friends and the good times will remain with me forever.
I recall your darkness when it crackled like a thunder cloud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Tom Sawyer Campground manager
If anybody ever remembers at the Tom Sawyer campground on how great of a time everybody had I wish to say that I made it known to bring the deadheads to the campground as I was one of the managers... I sure would like to be able to get the footage that the helicopters took for the news broadcast and I sure wish I knew what happened tall the pictures...
Thank you all you deadheads and fans for giving me an experience that will never be forgotten as long as I live..
Matter-of-fact one of the reporters gave me a full Beigi and a pipe that was homemade and had the face of Jerry that I still have today...
Matter fact I got pulled over once and they found the pipe and some pot and I begged the cops they can take the pot I will never quit smoking give me that pipe because there's way too much history with it and they gave it back and did not charge me for possession...
I got fired from that place as I left with the last of the heads all because I wanted to have the portable shitters cleaned out considering they were overflowing...
Met Jerry at Graceland
The day after this show, we went to check out Graceland. While we were there, Jerry Garcia and entourage (including Big Steve and Candice) came through taking the tour. So we got to meet Jerry briefly and say "How Do You Do". It was very cool and unexpected.
I talked to Mickey the day…
I talked to Mickey the day of this show
Asked him to play shakedowm