Is there anything better than the Grateful Dead at the Greek in the middle of summer? There certainly was not on this day back in 1984 as the boys opened with a heady Dancin'> Bird Song combo, sent a rare cover of Why Don't We Do It in the Road, dialed up a scintillating China> Rider, and dropped a marvelously haunting China Doll out of Space. Listen to the entire fabulous show at Grateful Dead of the Day.
To this point, the 1989 East Coast summer tour had hit nothing but stadium monstrosities. But on this day, the Dead descended on the intimate newly opened Deer Creek Amphitheater. The first set is so solid with a heady Walkin’ Blues, top-flight Queen Jane, and an epic Bird Song. A raging Truckin’ that turns on a dime into a sizzling Smokestack Lightning and a freaky Close Encounters jam highlight the second half before a Brokedown encore sends the Deadheads faithful off into the night. Listen to it all at Grateful Dead of the Day.
The video is a little rough, but the music - Scarlet> Fire, Morning Dew, and so much more - from the second set at the Greek on this day in 1988 more than makes up for it. Take in all the action!
July 15th Shows and Recordings:
1984 - Greek Theatre, University of California - Berkeley, California
1988 - Greek Theatre, University of California - Berkeley, California
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Until tomorrow, spread the love and enjoy the music!