Grateful Dead

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The summer solstice in Anchorage, Alaska, and in my opinion one of the best shows ever played. The second set, especially the Terrapin/Playin' portion, is a real stunner, just the right mix of spacey exploration and soul-grabbing music. Darn, I wish I'd been there, but I only learned about it some time later. Seek this one out, is my advice.

this is a mighty fine show. one of my favorite Strangers!

But it should be Ak for Alaska and not Ar as in Arkansas!

Wow, I can't believe that it's been 27 years. I still remember the excitement of seeing the show on the longest day of the year, where the sun never went down.

Funny how I remember us being so dissapointed by the song selection of these three shows. What snobs we were. God just being in Alaska for the first time and yes it never got dark, was just increadible. I remember a friend squirting a puddle of liquid in my palm. WE WERE IN A HIGH SCOOL AUD and the band was right in front of us. Damn I made the decision right then and there to move to California and leave everything behind. And we were dissapointed!!! That is sick.

Wow, now 28 years since I was at this show. Tonight I'll be spinning the show on the radio. I'll also be missing Ratdog and Govt Mule in Seattle. Would have loved to do the show, but I am committed to my radio show and celebrating the summer solstice.

i've just been listening to the shows from the 20th and 21st, boys were hot up north... what u lacked in quantity, they made up for it in quality, these will be played repeatedly, what a nice emergence into summer

Yea...a good welcome to the Soltice celebration...I had my Harley, a motel room, got dosed by I believe Chuck 13, who hasbecome one of my best friends, even though we met again about 10 years later in Alaska. And for not seeing the Dead for a few years (living in Kodiak and commercial fishing) it was these smokin' shows that really got me back on the bus.......Plus we (Alaska) was one of the first states to de-criminalize marijuana, at this time. Also seen Leon Russel at West High a few months later as West High was the only music venue going on at the time in Anchorage.......

Hot Damn! it was my birthday show, much fun.......too much fun.........TOO MUCH FUN!!!!! xoxo Gypsy Cowgirl

Heeeewack! These shows solidified in my mind that the Dead followed me around. I hitchhiked during the prior winter to AK from the East Coast, and everywhere I went it seemed that there was a show and an extra ticket waiting for me. No matter where I was, there they were! Then I get to AK, and guess who's coming to dinner?! I caught all three of these shows; lived in Wild Bill's Dodge SnoFighter with the log cabin built on the back. It stands alone as my single bestest, Deadest experience ever. One day we all went to see the new Bill Murray movie at the local theater, "Where the Buffalo Roam". Not sure the theater staff knew what was up with us. We turned that theater into one large party! A HIGH school auditorium indeed! It seemed at the time that on the last night the show went on forever. Afterward, we staggered out of the school, zonked to the gills after three straight days of Thai stick (remember?) and third nostril mining, late for work at the cannery in Seward. Instead of heading south, we drove north to the future, with a mind to sneak up on Denali, not wanting the trip to end. And that, my friends, is another story altogether... "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer." - Ken Kesey

forgot that I had just started a job in San Rafael not too long before the shows in Alaska. Upon which trying to explain WHY I had to leave was a bit histerical......needless to say, the job didn't last long.........& then I created my own.........going to the land of the Midnight Sun was well worth it! Plane full of deadheads......... Gypsy Cowgirl

I thought the boys were smokin' hot. West High Aud. never sounded better. I was looking forward to hearing the Wall of Sound - didn't realize they'd sold it. Probably wouldn't have fit in the building. I dragged a buddy for his first show. He thought Feel Like A Stranger sounded like disco. I said it's the best fuckin' disco on the planet! Got back late from the pkg lot for the 2nd set, in the middle of Railroad Blues. I never realized what a great song that was. The Phil Zone was on the main floor near the back. Bass notes knocking the wind outa ya - that's the way - uh huh uh huh - I like it! Samson and Delilah - "If I had my way - Ba-Ba-Blam!" Dave the Wanderer was waving a silk scarf, leaving tracers.

was there on the balcony in that tight little place, their sound was so encompassing, it was almost too much. I was having hard times then, living and working at a carwash right down the street, remember hiring a real Deadhead for a few days to wash cars, he was free man, just following the Dead, envied him so much for living that way, but I had a cabin to build, needed money. I've met a number of Alaskans who were at these shows, all said the same, that it was the show of the their lives.