This is the first concert I ever attended and one of my first exposures to the Dead. What a way to start! For me Playing in the Band, Truckin', Sugar Magnolia and Uncle John's Band were highlights. There was a cool light show and spring-loaded floor made dancing easy. I became the founding Director of the Stanford Concert Network ten years later and we put on another concert at Maples with Pat Benatar. The Department of Athletics facility manager nearly had a coronary when the floor started bouncing. That was the last concert in Maples to date. There’s a new (non-spring loaded) floor there now so maybe that will change. We also promoted concerts with the Dead in Frost Amphitheater for several years. Those were great days and great shows.

When I got on the bus it started with the '89 Alpine Valley shows. And, subsequently, for most of us, and this is the essence of the Dead's musical genius and communal mentality, we see a live show here and a live show there, then after a few years we all find our favorite songs that we almost grow personal attachments toward. They also come from Dead-related experiences with friends. That one-time in mid summer with boats, barbeque and beers. Add ropeswing here or disc golf there, dogs, kids , or that occasional roadtrip. The "Here Comes Sunshine" playin' while the breaking clouds and ending rain makes a rainbow. The "Mississippi Half Step" that hits at "Across the Rio Grande-Oooo...." and you actually hit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge west of Taos, NM after leaving Ashland, OR the day before..... Whoa, I digress, I'm going off on my own tangent, but I think you get the point.
I grew to love these specific songs, "Here Comes Sunshine", "Eyes", "Row Jimmy", "They Love Each Other", "Loose Lucy", "U.S. Blues" (always a superb encore) and "China Doll" always came up in my top 10 during the parking lot conversations pre-show.
The conversations introduced me to the archives and I became a collector, like a lot of us did. And it was then that I've got to say, when I found this show in '93. This one has taken on a transcendental, mystical, philosophical and/or spiritual experience for me. I can honestly say my road with the Grateful Dead is inextricably interwoven.
On February 9th 1973 my mom started labor and I arrived in the early morning on the 10th CST. So, when I saw the specifics on this show it sealed my fate a devotee- like it was hard. God!!! I love the 'Dead'!!!
Oh, did I mention they had a unique tour schedule that year and zipped out to the Midwest immediately after the Stanford show and played in Mpls. for a show on 2.17.73. a week after I was born there. I'd like to think that somehow the Grateful Dead knew I was comin' Thanks guys, You rock!!!