- Post reply Log in to post comments86 repliesmaryeJoined:Let's face it, some venues had a lot more charisma than others -- and still do. Red Rocks probably tops a lot of lists when it comes to personal Grateful Dead power spots -- but what amazing places haven't we heard enough about?
- PatrickJP07Joined:Another vote for Saratoga Performing Arts Center !!!
It wasn't the first place I saw the band, but to me, SPAC definitely had the best vibe of the various New England venues where I saw them. The summer 1985 show was a crazy good time, and 1988 wasn't too shabby either. I liked that the venue was in a state park where the freaks could frolic, both before and after the show. I'm also glad it's still around, and well kept for future generations to enjoy.
- nitecatJoined:Late to this conversation...
The Warfield Theater in SF was pretty fine. Lovely old art deco movie house Bill converted into a Rock Palace. Cal Expo at night with grass under my feet, perfect weather and billowing white clouds filling the sky was memorable. Of course Red Rocks, and the Frost can't be forgotten. Winterland was my beginning with the band, so there's special memories, and I loved the Berkeley Community Theater, too. Grass Valley CA was a fine woodsy outdoor venue in 83, also.
- hockey_johnJoined:To many to name Kaiser every yearWay to many places to name but will throw a few of my favorites out here. Starlight 82 , 84, 85. Park west in 83, did not like it in 87 to many people. Boise most wild outside and inside scene. Lake Placid 83 of course all the Red Rocks shows 15 total for me. Ventura 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 87 again to many people but still there. Places I enjoyed do to the ride to the show or the place itself. Morgantown 83 ,U V M 83 , Telluride because as someone said the entire town was the show. Check of the http://youtu.be/g4xXMmhjG6Qvideo . To may to post as far as Dead Shows. Jerry Band For sure the Stone in SF, Berkeley Stone ,Community theater Berkeley French's camp, Music mountain 82 Cape Cod coliseum both Dead and JGB Brandies university 8 Ocean State theater Providence The Cage U mass , Dunsmuir House and Garden , Russian river , Key stone Palo Alto and of course the Frost. Throw in the Oklahoma Zoo amphitheater too.
- puroshaggyJoined:Only because I was so veryOnly because I was so very lucky to be in college at the time, and thus could take a semester off and splurge my hard earned sandwich shop job money-> Le Zenith in Paris. The venue, the surrounding locale, the people- a slice of European Dead heaven. That, or Cal Expo in Sac.
- DeadbuggyJoined:Bay AreaWell, i primarily saw the Dead in the Bay Area, and my shows are from mid 80's on. Greek Theater is my top outdoor choice, seeing the Berkeley Campanile with the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate bridge. I used to head up to the top part of the venue stage right where the sun set on the venue last. There were always a bunch of sun worshipers and we'd hollar when the sun set, usually over the Golden Gate, grooving away. The most magical moment for me there was during a Franklin's Tower, during the verse "roll away the dew", a little cloud passed over and sprinkled the crowd on an otherwise clear day. The place just lit up! Frost Amphitheater - the parking lot party was among the Oak and Eucalyptus trees outside the venue, Inside it was lined with trees and gently sloping grass~100 yards to the band. The Henry J Kaiser Auditorium for indoor. It felt like a giant high school gym, one of my favorite shows was there, Nov 8, 1987...a great confluence for me..... one other show i remember dancing in the halls that spiraled around the place since they placed speakers out there, I spent nearly the whole show on the periphery...particularly remember He's Gone and just grooving with all the smiling people. saw many great shows at other venues, but those three above had the magic vibe for me. thanks, mb
- songsfrownJoined:Grateful Dead power...Well...going at this directly...Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA, every time I saw them there I had some really great moment...none quite as dramatic as the night prior to the show that ended up on the Dick's Pick when I asked my wife if she was ready to go. She said yes. We walked down to the front row without saying another word...got down on our hands and knees at the orchestra pit...and they broke into broke down palace for the encore... Hampton Coliseum...again, too many moments, collectively the east coast comeback shows from the first night Black Peter (sick sick energy...you know what I mean)...thru the 3rd night when I thought the place would lift off during Terrapin. Greek Theater, Berkely, CA...when Jerry hit the first notes of the first Watchtower the boys played in 87 a psychic growl seemed to go out around the universe. And well, home turf...Omni, Atlanta...They just seemed to own that space... Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own. SongsfROwn