We’re kicking off with memories and expectations of readers who are attending the upcoming
GRATEFUL DEAD concerts at Levi’s Stadium (June 27-28) or Soldier Field (July 3-5). The four living members of The Dead -- along with several special guests -- will take the stage on two consecutive weekends for their final concerts together, commemorating the band’s 50th anniversary. Here are three Deadheads sharing their stories.
If you are heading to Santa Clara or Chicago, we would love to hear your stories, as well. Just shoot an e-mail to adamharris@sportsbusinessdaily.com.
BOB DORFMAN
Baker Street Advertising Exec Creative Dir
*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
This Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
*How many Dead shows have you been to?
More than 50 Grateful Dead shows, plus another 30 or so by post-JERRY GARCIA offshoots. My first show was 11/1/73 at Northwestern University’s McGaw Hall.
*Who are you going to the show with?
My Northwestern pal MARTY, who was with me at that 1973 show.
*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
Looking forward to the scene and the crowd almost as much as the show. Haven’t seen the band with a crowd this size in a long, long time -- should be electric! Hoping BOB WEIR can stay upright, PHIL LESH doesn’t sing too much, and TREY ANASTASIO can jam well enough to not make me miss Jerry too much.
*Then vs. Now?
Biggest difference is obviously the prices. That 1973 show ticket set me back a whopping $5.50. Saturday’s is $200, plus another $60 for parking. But the hour-plus drive from S.F. to Santa Clara is nothing compared to that 16-hour non-stop road trip from Chicago to Denver in 1979 to see The Dead play at Red Rocks.
*What will make the show a hit for you?
It will be a huge success as long as BILL WALTON isn’t standing in front of me.
*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
My all-time favorite Dead jam: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider.
*Jam session:
Heading into this show with mixed emotions. As a fortunate Bay Area resident, I’ve been able to visit Phil Lesh’s club in Marin -- Terrapin Crossroads -- quite often, and see him play amazing Dead sets with his friends in an intimate room holding 300, at ticket prices around $80. It's going to be hard for a stadium show to top that, musically speaking. On lead guitar at most of these Terrapin Crossroads shows is the incredible JOHN KADLECIK, who plays and sings the Garcia parts like no one else can. As much as I like PHISH, I’d prefer to see Kadlecik up there on stage instead of Trey Anastasio. I'm hoping that Trey will pleasantly surprise me.
BURKE MAGNUS
ESPN Exec VP/Programming & Scheduling
*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
I’m just doing the first show in Chicago on Friday July 3. I want to hear the opener. I will catch the other two shows (through PPV) at home in Connecticut with a group of friends on my patio.
*How many Dead shows have you been to?
Somewhere in the vicinity of triple digits if you include all sources -- Grateful Dead, JERRY GARCIA BAND, PHIL & FRIENDS, etc.
*Who are you going to the show with?
We’ve rounded up a strong group of four, all roommates from college at Holy Cross. An old man’s version of "ENTOURAGE," made up of two lawyers, an investment banker and me.
*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
While you can’t turn back time, I’m hoping these shows will be what they always have been for me -- a chance to have some serious fun with great friends and enjoy the music that we all have loved for a long time.
*Then vs. Now?
The companions are the same. But the hotel accommodations, transportation and meals have all experienced a considerable upgrade in quality.
*What will make the show a hit for you?
The simple fact that it is happening makes it a huge hit. But I'm hoping to run into a few friends unexpectedly.
*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
So many I want to hear, and a few I would like to avoid. But I'll choose a beginning and an end: Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin’s Tower for the opener, and a Brokedown Palace encore.
*Jam session:
I was always a serious Garcia guy, so for me, at some level, no matter what they play or how good it is, it will still be somewhat bittersweet. That said, for anyone doubting how Trey Anastasio will fit in, go find a stream of Phil & Friends from April 15-17, 1999 at the Warfield Theater in S.F.
STEVE ROSNER
16W Partner & co-Founder
*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
Soldier Field on July 4th.
*How many Dead shows have you been to?
I've seen the Grateful Dead 10 times.
*Who are you going to the show with?
My wife STEFANIE, childhood friends and current friends.
*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
Just a bunch of good music.
*Then vs. Now?
Shows "then" were mostly local that I drove to and crashed on a friend's couch. But shows "now," I am flying first class and staying at a Four-Star hotel.
*What will make the show a hit for you?
If it does not rain!
*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
Uncle John’s Band and One More Saturday Night.
*Jam Session:
BRUCE HORNSBY is a dear friend of mine and once the shows were announced, we spoke and before I knew it, I was booking my flights and hotel in Chicago for July 4th weekend. My most memorable Dead show was in 1991, when Bruce invited me to be his guest at Madison Square Garden and to come backstage before the show. After spending some time with him and being introduced to Bob and Jerry, I was about ready to go take my seat in the arena when Bruce pulled me and my friend PAUL ABRAMSON aside and said, “Follow me." So I ended up watching the whole show sitting on a cooler on-stage, right next to Bruce and his piano!
