On this day in 1969, the Dead arrived at MIT and met Ned Lagin for the first time. He had lured them there by sending an unsolicited three-page manifesto on computers and music that blew Phil and Jerry away. Read more about Ned and the Dead, including during this trip to MIT, in our bio of Ned.
With Keith goading him on, Jerry turns out one glistening run after another, including on the Sugaree, which rivals any other one out there. But you could say that about a lot of the night, including the resonant Estimated, intense Scarlet> Fire, and absolutely epic Stephen. Though the shadow of Barton Hall may loom in the distance, this show is a monster in its own right. Give the entire show the listen it deserves at Grateful Dead of the Day.
A beatific He Was a Friend of Mine starts things off in subdued and melancholy territory. But after some acid-addled banter, Golden Road romps, unveiling a roaring psychedelic dance machine. A frantic, brilliant New Potato Caboose follows before the Alligator takes the cake, gyrating and charging in an absolute furor of lysergic energy and kaleidoscopic fireworks. Pure primal Dead...ain't nothing better. Give it a listen.
May 5th Shows and Recordings:
Until tomorrow, spread the love and enjoy the music!