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Fare Thee Well: SBD Readers Heading To The Dead's 50th Anniversary Shows

We continue with memories and expectations of readers who are attending the upcoming GRATEFUL DEAD concerts at Soldier Field over the 4th of July weekend. The four living members of The Dead -- along with several special guests -- will take the stage for a second consecutive weekend and perform their final concerts together, commemorating the band’s 50th anniversary. Here are three Deadheads sharing their stories.

If you were in Santa Clara or you're heading to Chicago, we would love to hear your stories, as well. Just shoot an e-mail to adamharris@sportsbusinessdaily.com.


DON SPERLING
NFL Giants' Big Blue Entertainment VP & Exec Producer

*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
All three in Chicago.

*How many Dead shows have you been to?
Around 30, then add on JERRY GARCIA's solo tours with MERL SAUNDERS and on his own. Plus FURTHER, RATDOG, and PHIL & FRIENDS.

*Who are you going to the shows with?
I am doing a father-son road trip from N.Y. with my 24-year-old son who is a big fan of jam bands, especially The Dead and PHISH. We are going to hit the afternoon Cubs game on Friday, which will be his first visit to Wrigley Field.

*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
Just tight music, TREY ANASTASIO nailing Jerry's guitar, good vocals and some good guest appearances like when BRANFORD MARSALIS jammed with them on "Without a Net."

*Then vs. Now?
Who would have thought I would do a Grateful Dead road trip with my son one day? Back then it was Dead shows with girlfriends and college friends. Plus, the prices sure are different.

*What will make the shows a hit for you?
No rain, and running into some old friends.

*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
Eyes of the World, Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin’s Tower, Unbroken Chain, Wharf Rat, Morning Dew, Fire on the Mountain, St. Stephen ... Okay, I’ll stop.

*Jam session:
The Academy of Music, Felt Forum, Roosevelt Stadium, Capitol Theater, Fillmore West, Winterland, the Palace -- all the amazing venues I saw them in -- and the crazy characters will start coming back to memory!



SCOTT KIRKPATRICK
Chicago Sports & Entertainment Partner

*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
Friday and Sunday, July 3rd and 5th.

*How many Dead shows have you been to?
100-plus.

*Who are you going to the shows with?
My trusted attorney.

*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
They focus on the music, and not the carnival.

*Then vs. Now?
Back then was staying in no-tell motels and having a blast. Now it is sleeping in my own bed and having a blast.

*What will make the shows a hit for you?
If they live up to half the hype.

*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Jack Straw.

*Jam session:
It has been about the music, and not about the music. Sharing the adventure with friends through the years and visiting places around the country has been just as fun and exciting. I miss those times and will always miss those unexpected moments that make up a good show and adventure. I guess it is time to move on to fly fishing -- not "Phishing."


ADAM LIBERMAN
Akron RubberDucks Dir of Public & Media Relations

*Which Fare Thee Well shows are you attending?
The finale on Sunday.

*How many Dead shows have you been to?
Maybe seven or eight with the original lineup. But if you include the THE OTHER ONES and other forms of the band, probably 20.

*Who are you going to the show with?
My 63-year-old mom CAMILLE, who is a veteran of many shows, my 36-year-old sister BROOKE and her college roommate. We are meeting up with my childhood best friend and his family. In all, as many as 12 of us may be going.

*What are you hoping for at these final shows?
I hope they bring back old memories, a chill vibe, and sound great -- like the band is having fun.

*Then vs. Now?
Camping is not an option and neither is staying on the couch of a friend-of-a-friend's dump of an apartment. Also, planned meals instead of parking-lot grilled cheese sandwiches.

*What will make the show a hit for you?
The band sounds great, everyone has fun, and new memories are made.

*What song(s) do you most want to hear?
Dark Star.

*Jam Session:
My parents used to take my sister and me to Dead shows as kids. My father ALAN passed away last May from pancreatic cancer, so part of the reason we are going is as a tribute to him and as a chance to remember happy family times. Many years ago, a former coworker of my dad’s carved a small version of him out of wood. Since his death, we’ve used that to represent him at everything from my sister’s wedding to the birth of her first child this April. We’ll be taking the "Mini Alan" with us to the show and I’m sure he’ll be in the photos.



CELEBRITY DEADHEAD NUMBER ONE: In San Diego, George Varga wrote Basketball HOFer BILL WALTON is "attending all five farewell concerts" as one of the Grateful Dead's "biggest fans and closest confidantes." Walton "will be front and center at each of them with his wife of 26 years, LORI, whose first meeting was at least indirectly facilitated by the Grateful Dead." Walton is also "the host for the pay-per-view broadcasts of the five shows." Former Grateful Dead publicist DENNIS MCNALLY said, "I can't think of anybody better. Bill's a pro, and he knows his Dead." Varga noted Walton is "so close with the Grateful Dead's members that they often stayed at his home, rather than a hotel, when visiting San Diego." Virtually every room in Walton's home "is imbued by the Grateful Dead, in ways large and small." He said, "There's never a day in my life when I don't listen to the Grateful Dead" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/27). Meanwhile, in L.A., Randall Roberts reviewed the first of the five shows and wrote Levi's Stadium is a "glistening new multi-million dollar facility ... with high-class concessions and an overall comfort level a few notches up" from Woodstock. Deadheads "aren't known for their cleanliness," so those two "competing truths made for a disconnect that fans noted from the start" (LATIMES.com, 6/28).

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