This was my first show. Had tickets for first row mezzanine overhang; about 5 seats in a row, but when we arrived upstairs there were a bunch of hells angels with recording equipment (reel to reel). They said to us "the Dead have decided to mix" from here. The usher took us downstairs to the floor all the way in the back row. I didn't know what to think.
We stood on the folding chairs that were in the last row behind the regular floor seats. Berta was the opener a couple of minutes later. By the time we realized there might be some kind of funny business going on with our great mezannine seats, it was too late. What I learned from this experience was that it didn't matter where you sat during a Dead show. We had a great time, got to see one more show on this Academy run. It was everything I had heard about and more. Great show, great time, very nice venue. Very grateful to have seen and had such a good time.
In later years I would sit in some front, orchestra, or great seats; also many nose bleeds as venues and crowds grew. I also cooked for the crew at a few BBQ's. I never stopped enjoying the whole scene. As I got older I cleaned up my act quite a bit, but in 1991, I called San Rafael, CA (GDTS). I spoke with Ramrod about how big the scene had gotten. I told him we were going on vacation and that it was right around the time of the spring tour. We sent in some money for seats, and he sent us fantastic seats for 2 shows in North Carolina. The last 3 shows we saw were in Miami Arena, we lived there then. I worked at the Arena at the time. Still a great time. Gave 2 tickets away to some young people that did not have tickets. Great feeling. Someone had done it for me on more than 1 occasion. Great trip, nice people, important message about life. It felt great to give.