Grateful Dead

Sigh. Those were the days.

Though I'd seen them before, this is the one that cemented a lifelong love affair. Cops on horses and Angels alike keeping the overnight lineup at bay. Finally into that field to see that fabulous sound system that looked more like a Martian heiroglyphic. Came alone but ran into school pals Neil and Mike a couple dozen feet back stage center. Mike kept asking when the dot would take effect then became strangely quiet: we glanced down to see his white knuckles grasping the portable chair arms lest he fly off into the sky. Watch out for Neil's dancing elbows! Jerry/John's bluegrass band & lovely Maria (seen her a dozen times since). Thumpin' US Blues opener and that sound clear as an overhead crack of thunder, or pin drop stuff on Let It Grow outro. Warm white sun in a big blue sky with yellow AirCal jets taking of from SB airport in the background. Whenever I come back to the States and Calif, I still glance off the freeway towards UCSB and still feel the power (ditto for Ventura Fairgrounds)!Jackson

mills bless dangerous doug and danno