Grateful Dead

This auditorium is not much to look at on the outside, but the interior is ornate, with an Arabian theme; what a great atmosphere for the Blues for Allah material, especially. I thought this was a particularly good concert.

Listening to on Sirius on 6-20-09...is it right to look ahead at the set list?? Sounded like a great show!!

My friend Straus was sure that "He's Gone" was about Pigpen. I didnt have the heart to tell him the song preceeded Ron's demise

if I recall correctly, it's about Lenny Hart, Mickey's regrettable dad, who ripped off the band and departed in haste. Rat in a drain ditch, etc. Celebrating his departure and the band's survival of his shenanigans. It's one of those interesting GD cultural things that it morphed into a dirge, which it definitely did.

...is this is also the first He's Gone (and a good one) since the retirement shows (the day before Mickey Hart returned ironically enough) and the last one until the song was restored to the rotation for good on 5-21-77, a version immortalized on Dick's Picks 29. Interesting note on the song's provenance marye, I did not know that! I understand the final reel is missing from the vault, otherwise it might make a superb vault release.

15Oct76 - I'm at work at the department store. It's 4:00PM, I have to work until closing, I get a call from a friend who says "My sister and her friend were going to The Grateful Dead concert in LA, now they're not going. Do you want 4 tickets?" Only time in my life I've done this, folks, because of the kind of boss I had I knew I could get away with it, "Bob, I have to go to a concert. I'm leaving in 30 minutes, see ya." And I got away with it without being fired. Told Ya. Got the 4 tickets at my friend's house (mansion) next to the country club. Dropped off 2 tickets at someone's house, told him to give me the $$$ for the tickets at the show, cover price, of course (we ALL know the Unwritten Rule). Hauled ass from Ventura to Shakey Town (L.A. Uptight City In The Smog), got to the Shrine.... ....And saw LA Police ALL OVER THE F**K'n PLACE. And 9X11 bills posted saying "THIS IS NOT A HAVEN FOR POT SMOKING". And saw cops busting people as they were going back to their cars AFTER reading the warnings. VERY SCARY. Inside the vibe was Nervous City. You could cut the tension with a cavalry sword. But the Dead made up for the ugliness outside. First set was very good, I remember there was a heavy-duty version of Loser followed by a great Minglewood. Keith woke up at his piano to start a version of Bertha with other band members doing a double-take at him! lol Then a Lazy Lightning>Supplication that KICKED ASS. But the second set was when this newbe GOT IT and became A DeadHeadForever. Eyes Of The World>Music Never Stopped, they cooled down the crowd a little bit with Roses then broke out Samson, OMG Samson was Tearin' This 'Ol Building Down, then He's Gone, Drums>The Other One, I don't remember the Comes A Time but I DO remember Franklin's Tower into Sugar Mag. Then the house lights came on. "What? No encore? What's goin' on, Man?" Other deadheads had to explain. "Dude, They gave everything they could give, man. It's cool." OK. I get it. And it was during that second set on 15 October 1976 that this here Country Cowfreak became a DeadHeadForever. :-) BTW, I have been told by clued-in sources that the the only reason this has not been released as a Dave's Picks is that they cannot find the last reel of the show. BUMMER.......

The girl I took to the show took some purple barrel LSD and was trying to cut the edge by shooting Tequila! Brilliant move,not! So, by the time we get to the door were basically holding her up. The cops stop her at the door and somehow we talked them into not arresting her. We walked her around and gave her water, ultimately we got in and so did she. Just enough time to find our friends, (small venue),and fire one up right before they came out. First set was great but I must say they blew the roof off with the second set! Starting the second set a magical version of "Eyes of the World" and they didn't let off the pedal and ended with one of my favorite version of "Franklin's Tower"!...and finished the night with their A game on playing "Sugar Magnolia"Some days I have trouble putting 2+2 together, but I can remember that night like it was yesterday. Just went to the Fare Thee Well concerts a couple week ago. Bitter sweet. Trey was great on guitar and my man Bruce Hornsby tickled the keys and sang a few of the songs. But they didn't let Bruce sing Jack Straw?! If you've heard Bruce sing it you would know what I mean. All in all, it was a great opportunity to have friends get together one more time,new memories to add to so many great memories of past shows and friends! As Jerry sang..."I love you, but Jesus loves you the best, and I bid you goodnight...

I read your comments, so that's why Dave hasn't picked this show. Man, that's too bad, one of the best shows (especially the second half!!). Your right...bummer man

MY FIRST SHOW