Grateful Dead

JUST BECAUSE!!DEADGERB!

I had been into the Dead since my cousin's girlfriend turned me onto them in Jersey back in 1980. I LOVED the music and did not realize what the live scene was all about until I attended my first show at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, OH. I finally got it... man did I get it! I rate this a five because it was my first show and it was freakin' awsome!! Dylan and Petty opened for the Dead and there was some sort of wedding party also going on. I remember there where quite a few Hell's Angels there and eveything was cool. The Goodyear Blimp hanger was visible along with the landing lights of a runway and a plane buzzed the Bowl at night with an electric sign on its underside that kept flashing "ALIVE" "WITH" "THE" "DEAD". This was when you could still camp in the parking lots. I had found heaven.

Was not a big fan. We renamed it the profilactic bowl.

Petty and Dylan rocked the place!! HEY SPIKE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE. The crowd cheered during the verse with "lets hear for the otherone" But of course the Dead blew them away!! Truckin up to buffalo-----which was the next night

Thinking that the Dead were to come on first-----I took an extra hit of blotter....................LOLOLOL and got REAL close to the stage......Hmmmmmmmmm the stage looked different?? And then out comes Dylan and petty???? LOLOLWOW!! That a trip that was!! Thats why Dylan and Petty rock the place!!! LOLOOLOLOLO GREAT SHOW!!!

Only version of "Don't Think Twice"....No taping show. Hard to find good tapes of this show....my favorite 2nd set "Desolation"

Couldn't make out there vocals at all. Dylan was worse than Petty, but thought they both sucked. Just my oppinion though.

If the thunder don't get you, the lightning will!! took a hit of blotter from the guy who parked next to us..... nothing but a big headache what i remember most was the EXTREME heat....aided and abetted by the frickin heavy green canvas covering over the field....to protect it i guess.... i bought tics for several coworkers who were disappointed and uncomfortable.....a couple of them left before the dead show.....what a shame....

Might as well- first shoe. Came to see Dylan/Petty- left a Dead head- a real life changer

I actually got a tape of this not too long after the show. We took my sister in law to her first and probably only show at this one. cheesy motel. amusing night at the Goodyear airfield.

I had just turned 16, and wasn't a Dead fan. Although I always had been a huge music fan, I was a bigger fan of getting high, the reason for going in all honesty. To this day I'am not sure if it was the vitamins, the vibe, or what exactly. But I never missed a local show after. I was hooked, and I miss the scene immensely. There is nothing like the feeling of grooving with 30,000 like minded family to the same tune. And there is no way to explain it to one who hasn't had the pleasure. The Akron Beacon Journal reported the following day: that there was an estimated 100,000 people 'there', and the stadium only holds 30,000. So as far as I am concerned, I give it 5 1/2 stars for being more than just a show to me. It was a life changing experience!

The waiting was the hardest part!I've always been a Petty & Dylan fan,but this was a strange day,strange gig & strange venue.Both Bobby & Jerry seemed like the didn't want to share their mikes w/ Dylan when they sang together. Desolation Row & Box Of Rain cooked! The best part was the funky round hotel we all stayed @! Round edges to all the rooms,round hallways,& alot of fun after the show in a town created by the tire business.

I drove up from FL alone and stayed in the cheesiest motel ever made, right in Akron. It was ugly. The guest spot with Dylan (LRR thru Baby Blue) is godawful. Don't listen to it! Can't believe Dylan still wanted to play with these guys after that. His own set with Petty was fantastic. Met GD luminary Gordon Sharpless in the crowd. I think we traded tapes and/or he sold me a book of set lists, pre-Dead Base.

My first show as well. Truth be told, I was more into Dylan and Petty, but the Dead stole the show, even when not at their best. But heck, I didn't know that at the time! I got the bug, and still have it today.

The two defining moments of the show are Dylan dropping by to do a rough and ready couple of tunes in the first set and Jerry, who would lapse into a diabetic coma a week later, walking off during Desolation Row. The Dylan part, though not musically brilliant, was fun, Jerry's health problems were not.

Listening to this show this morning recording is not that bad in fact it is FOB and can hear everyone clearly.This day was one of paranoia...many of us on tour thought this was the night they were rounding up as many of us as they could. Not sure why we got so worried maybe was the one way in one way out gates. Thinking back now I guess it was all the normal concert goer's Dylan and Petty fans. I will say that I did not enjoy this one because of the worry. I for one just couldn't wait to get back to San Fran. Of course I finished the tour and I wont comment of things I know nothing of. " Jerry's health". He gave us everything he had night in and night out for yearssssssssss Wish I new now what I do now if so would of wanted to see where AA had started.

1 Shake A Hand (Joe Morris), 2 Positively 4th Street, 3 Clean-Cut Kid, 4 I'll Remember You, 5 Trust Yourself, 6 That Lucky Old Sun (Haven Gillespie/Beasley Smith), 7 Masters Of War, 8 To Ramona, 9 One Too Many Mornings, 10 It Ain't Me, Babe, 11 I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (Cecil A Null), 12 Band Of The Hand, 13 When The Night Comes Falling From The Sky, 14 Lonesome Town (Baker Knight), 15 Ballad Of A Thin Man, 1 Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35, 2 Seeing The Real You At Last, 3 Across The Borderline (Cooder/Hiatt/Dickinson), 4 I And I, 5 Like A Rolling Stone, 6 In The Garden, 7 Blowin' In The Wind, 8 Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache (W B Thompson/L May), 9 Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Right up front for the whole show. I like Petty and Dylan, but their sets were really shrill with mashed guitars. The Dead sets were pretty good, but Jerry did look rough. We headed back to our car to find our favorite burrito guy's rig engulfed in flames. Very sad as his bus with the square back welded on top just burned up. Then it just poured rain and everyone left. We woke up early to find a muddy extravaganza of coolers full of beer, clothes in good shape, a couple of wallets all just abandoned... Then it was off to Buffalo.

Hey Theeteetop - I looked at my old handwritten setlist from this show and had written "no Jerry" next to Desolation Row, so you're correct that Jerry left for that song (also noted Dylan joining them for Little Red Rooster, Don't Think Twice and Baby Blue). So I can confirm your comment below.

This was my first show! I had the time of my life.

Got to about 10 bodies back from the stage. Closest to the stage for any of these 3 artist/bands. My wife at the time snuck in a wine skin (remember them) under her shirt pretending she was with child!! HA HA! We named it Chardonnay! Security was tight at that show for some reason. It was HOT as hell that day too. Not enough water anywhere!

Attended every show this tour. This particular show was a great experience for me. I think it was the first time Dylan played with The Grateful Dead live. I could be wrong. I remember being pretty close and seeing him walk onstage in the first set. There was a burst of energy from the crowd. It didn't matter to me that the Don't Think Twice wasn't perfect. Just having Dylan onstage with my band..... It was historical and very special for me. Hearing Jerry play the solo during Don't Think Twice gave me chills. A first set Baby Blue in honor of Bob Dylan. Just incredible. It's a moment in time I will never forget. I know some people forget the past and move forward...but never forget the moments in your life.