Grateful Dead

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I was 20 at the time, this was a few days following the Harmonic Convergence (The Harmonic Convergence was a loosely organized new age spiritual event which occurred on August 16 and August 17, 1987, when groups of people gathered in various sacred sites and "mystical" places all over the world to usher in a new era, a date based primarily on the Maya calendar, but also on interpretations of European and Asian astrology.The Harmonic Convergence was supposed to be a global awakening to love and unity through divine transformation.) Little did folks know it was to come together at the Mt Aire Festival of 1987. On Wednesday the 19th my friend Cody and I piled into this young woman’s VW bug. It was quite cramped with all the backpacks not to mention her 6’4” cousin. I had to sit sideways for the entire four hour drive from the Bay Area. We camped that week in the granite plains above Yosemite. Our tent was attacked by a bear because some one had left a cinnamon apple in one corner by mistake. On Friday night we arrived at the long line of cars that stretched for miles leading into Angel’s Camp of Calaveras, where Mark Twain’s famous Frog Jumping story had once taken place. We had to park next to the road and make the best of it. All night there was this really high dude who greeted each car harsh expletives. And as if that wasn’t enough, a bunch of Hell’s Angels set up a P.A. and cranked Grateful Dead songs at the top of a hill where they raced their Harleys all night long. Yes there would be no sleeping for anyone that weekend. (The next morning was H-O-T. Liquid “Vitamin A” and Fun-Guy was readily available to all in copious amounts. The summer of ’87 melted.) David Lindley and his legendary band “El Rayo-X” opened. With 90 degree heat, Mr. Dave in his finest polyester announced that he was playing with the best drummer he had performed with in his life. At first I laughed, and then they ripped into a fire blazing Crazy Bout a Mercury. What would follow would be a near three hour scorching set by Santana. The heat, the planes, the ambulances, the parachuting acrobats, the dust, Jerry on a golf cart, Bill Graham rushing around on his scooter desperately attempting to escort a carload of freaked out suits, threatening to 86 anyone who looked at him funny. There was NO escape, we were in for the full ride. The Dead didn’t hit the stage until well after the sun had gone down. That blazing afternoon gave way to Jerry’s incredible way of connecting to the song “Friend of the Devil” that seemed to put context to all we had been through leading up to that magical weekend. Damn what a great time to be young.

More later, but what I remember most was two things -- one, camping in a field that until real recently held cows -- lot's o' patties to "relocate". Also, getting there early enough to grab a camping spot under the one tree on the cow pattie hill. I may be going to hell in a bucket ... but at least I'm enjoying the ride!!!!

was the oft-repeated narrative refrain from the air show commentator as the numerous aerobatic planes did their acro. And ever so gentle was the kind vibe down close to the stage. We arrived very early for both shows and were nice and close for all of the festivities. We seemed to have the same crowd-neighbors both days and despite what I have heard of some rowdieness elsewhere in the crowd, it was smooth sailing and plenty of dancing room. The music/air show was kind of an odd mix, but it turned out to be a couple of the most fun shows I attended over my 35 years on the bus. Coupled with the earlier part of the week hiking in nearby Yosemite, it was quite a spiritual trek.

...was the knickname we gave the announcer that weekend...I remember our group laughing hysterically at that oft repeated phrase (thanks to the fungus among us) and the announcer getting defensive that everyone was laughing at him and the acrobats "hey, it's 20 degrees hotter int hat cockpit than it is for you guys and they don't have squirt bottles... this is serious people..." We were in stitches... Then Jerry with Carlos each pushing the other one notch higher... what a great weekend!!

Sunshine...beer...Skydivers with Steal 'yer face Flags.. a strange guy with one eye and a very unusual, magical quartz crystal...jugglers.. scores of nearly naked, sunburned chicks..twirling precisely in time, some rum drink called Calavaras cool aide, ses homegrown, self-professed gold miners, zodiac dead bandanas, somebody's wayward girlfriend with loads of stash... The Prince of Polyester.. Jerry's "ain't no place I rather be"....Mickey's maniacal drum/space.. Graham and Band in form.. Congas..Carlos' screaming sustain ... cool friends from Yosemite ...Wilson Pickett ? If I could have captured and canned one moment of this day, it would be the same priceless composition as the Creator's first handful of Christ-consciousness found in every seeking Human heart. Someday, everything is gonna be diffferent...when I paint my masterpiece??

EVERSOGENTLY........COW PATTIES......My face hurt from smilin' soooo much. Extremely Grateful I got to be part of it.

I had driven my brand new Honda wagon from Oakland through Nevada and Wyoming to Red Rocks, to Telluride, to Colorado Springs to see a friend, and to Park City. The folks I was touring with were seriously into a lot of woo-woo Harmonic Convergence stuff, which got pretty grating; I tended to concur with another bunch of folks that it was really the Harmonica Virgins messing with our heads. But anyway, I hated the vibe at the Park City show so much--the dust! the millions of mini liquor bottles! the drunks! the inability to find my car in the dust-pit parking lot!--that I got up the next morning and drove straight through home to Oakland, bagging this show, for which I had tickets. What a show. What a lineup. But judging by the descriptions, I made the right choice, because I just had nothing left, When I got to the Bonneville Salt Flats, however, a huge storm broke out with serious dark clouds and lightning spectacular against the mountain backdrop. I stopped the car and walked out on the flats and just hung out in it for a while; it was pretty amazing.

Mary I remember the security guys lasoing heads tryin to get in and dragging them behind the horse for a little way. and the dust. I was kinda HIGH up on the hill was really steep thought I was going tofal down and roll all the way to the stage. maybe was just still on the previous rocky mtn high.

will post when they turn up....as usual....haha....we had a great time. Kids marriages were arranged (parental units joking around), great swimming hole down @ the river. camping......seems like there was something else...will have to ponder...fond memories though....! xoxo Gypsy Cowgirl

this place was great.the airplane stunts and the skydiver really added to the enertainment.the drums from the croud playing when santana came on was a fond memory.the shows that summer where some of my best,will never forget!!!!

Went back stage with my 3 year old daughter. Waved to Bob on his way off stage after the first set. Hung out waiting for him to come for the 2nd set. Waved again & said hi. He stopped for a quick visit. My daughter said "hi Uncle Bob play enjoying the ride" (Hell in a Bucket).We parted & started walking up the hill ~ lo & behold Hell in a Bucket set opener. I fell on the ground with my daughter & cried like a baby. Coincidence or not, that is a big story in our house to this day!!!

This was my 1st show, loved it!!!! I had a friend from work asked me if I wanted to see The Grateful Dead and I was like ok, at that time, I did not know who they where, well when I left there I knew who they where, and will never forget. I did not see the band with Jerry Garcia again. Then I met my boyfriend who is a deadhead and he took me to see Further on Oct 7th and 8th 2011, That was are 1st date, we had a blast, and for the life of me I can't remember why I did not continue to see them over the years, well I am here to tell you I will not miss any more shows, am here to stay!!!!!

http://images.gdao.org/view/image/ark%3A%2F38305%2Fg4zs2wsr%2Fis%2F1The… were fun shows. The photos are not mine http://images.gdao.org/view/image/ark%3A%2F38305%2Fg4v12524%2Fis%2F1 http://images.gdao.org/view/image/ark%3A%2F38305%2Fg4q81dcv%2Fis%2F1 with Santana

Relive the moment. Anyone got a time machine handy?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRKaNX0EYj8

My best friends family owned a balloon store. We brought up a MASSIVE canvas army tent and set up a helium tank to blow balloons for all. Before we could start, a crowd had gathered asking us for nitrous hits. We attempted to tell them that we had none but they would not believe us. We let the first guy up and said take the biggest hit you can, it's free. He sucked on that tanks tit like he was a starving baby. Squealed like a stuck pig saying that we tricked him. The whole crowd fell over laughing at him as he sat down from lack of oxygen. Ray looked at him and said, "We told you it was kids day and it was helium". Must have filled a thousand balloons that day. Luckily none hit the planes as they "Pulled back on the stick, Ever so gently"

Ah, what a great Dead show, one of my favorites! Brother Esau is a plus, I love that tune. I'm just listening to it on the archives, and it's bringing back memories. So much cool stuff going on-- and these shows were the icing on the cake topping off a really fun summer tour. Great Estimated jam to boot--worth another listen. This is totally quintessential 1987 Grateful Dead. If I could be anywhere in time and space, this very well might be the place...So if anyone invents a time machine, please PM me. Thanks.