Grateful Dead

My wife and I had very good floor seats for this show (thank you GDTS), center stage about 10 rows back in the middle section of floor seating right in front of Bobby. I remember how strange the mood was in the stadium, maybe because of the issues at Deer Creek, maybe because it was the last show of the tour, or maybe it was the odd assortment of people in our general vicinity. I also remember being really moved emotionally at many different times during the show. Having attended a fair number of shows, I had never really felt that engaged emotionally during a show, that was usually reserved for fond rememberances. Looking back now, I am very proud to have been in attendance at this show as it truly was the "last" of the Grateful Dead shows. It had it all, the bad, the good, and the triumphant ending that 30 years of being the Grateful Dead deserved. Thanks for the memories!

That So Many Roads Still moves me to this day. Every time I listen to it I get goose bumps. Also the Black Muddy River and Box of Rain encore that is easily top 5 Black Muddy Rivers and top ten Box of Rains. In Phils book he writes that the band stayed behind and watched the spectacular fireworks after the show was over which they had never done before. I agree with the writer above that the show was odd feeling. As a matter of fact I felt that way at the last 4 shows. I think it was an underlying feeling from the problems earlier in the tour but there was something else that I could not put my finger until 30 days later. TomBanjo

After witnessing the shows from this tour at The Palace in Auburn Hills (the best shows of the entire summer tour from hell IMHO), the Deer Creek debacle and the the night before, I felt utterly disappointed. Certainly the rest of the band members sounded great but my take on Jerry was he has already checked out for good (incidently I felt that Vince finally came into his own at the very end). It was literally like watching the shell of what used to be, struggling to keep it together for his last gasp. His guitar playing was dismal, forgot words to every song and genuinely looked ready to pack it in. Enter Phil..... Phil literally saved the show. I think Mr Lesh knew that a serious trainwreck of a concert was under way and he stepped up to the plate. The only moments that seemed like there was a hint of Jerry's presence was Box Of Rain and Sugar Magnolia. Many people rave about So Many Roads but to me it seemed like even with teleprompters, Jerry struggled with it and kept soloing because he was lost. I really wanted Shakedown>Samson to be special like so many from yester year but it just did'nt happen. As ironic and appropriote a closer as Black Muddy River was, Jerry was severly strained vocally and missed all the guitar ques not too mention Vince did'nt play any of the fills. If it were'nt for this being the last show ever, I would have considered this and the previous night 2 of the worst concerts they ever played besides Phil taking charge of a sinking ship. Listening to the tapes, both SBD and AUDs years later, I still feel the same way about this concert. Sorry to anybody who likes this show or has sentimental feelings because of the circumstances.

i think whats been said about the show is true but something happened way back earlier in the yeara friend i traded with had alredy alerted me of the playing of jerry on listening to these shows something had happened jerry once said im not a great guitarist im loud(or similar) in 1995 jerry had dropped in the mix something that for me made the dead not the dead maybe if hed called it a day in 1994 we would still be hearing him play now but he would probably have done JGB 100% through 95 with the same result

I cannot believe we are talking about the same Box of Rain. Black Muddy River was the perfect end to this tour, Jerry singing in a fatherly "It'll be alright" sort of way. Given everything that had happened on this tour, it was THE perfect finale. And then Phil opted to assault our ear drums w/ what I can only describe as, well...damn, I can't describe it. My friends and I were laughing our asses off at how atrocious this was. How do they blow the perfect end to an incredibly miserable tour by pummeling us w/ this abomination of an otherwise beautiful song?I agree, that Phil had a powerful night on the bass and Jerry was trying to not be there. I read somewhere that as they were walking off the stage Garcia commented that he was sad to see the tour end. Hmmm. But, Jerry was plagued by several maladies at the end, the least publicized of the lot was carpal tunnel syndrome, which, for obvious reasons, really hampered his playing. But, I think more than anything, he was just plain tired.

say what you want about this show but I will alway be happy that I was able to attend

It was obvious the tour had taken an emotional and physical toll. I sat 12th row center 7/8 and 7th row center 7/9. Jerrylooked horribly drained from the strain. The Dead could have canceled long before Chicago (watch Gimme Shelter). I was on my feet along with everyone else after VOJ on Sat. and shed tears freely after BMR Sun. I got the package when I bought Phil's book because I wanted the Box of Rain. I still cry when I hear it but play it anyway.

Never forget the ending of So Many Roads when jerry did an extended vocal scat.........."Lord, I've been walking that road" Let There be Songs To Fill The Air!

Jer eased my soul that night. I miss him so. Peace Sisters & Brothers!

Is it true that through coincidence and some technical difficulties that Jerry used all his past guitars (Wolf, Tiger, Bertha and Lightning Bolt) on this night? Can anyone confirm this?

Excuse me I called 'Rosebud' 'Bertha' by accident... anyway I just read a review on archive.org saying Jerry indeed began with Rosebud and switched to Tiger after tech difficulties...

I think I had so much fun partly because Jerry had no serious lapses of memory or blatant flubs...I feel this was one of the better 95 shows for that reason. No really great moments, but nothing horrible... Personally I was ecstatic! Weird thing for me was the feeling of "The End"...I was convinced they were going to take another "retirement" for Jer to get healthy and finish the studio album and to simply get interested in playing together again... And they kept playing songs with lyrics like "sure has been a long hard climb" and "I just don't know now, I just don't know if I'm going back again"...and songs like Childhood's End, So Many Roads, and Black Muddy River...and the way Phil emphasized "Dead dreams" in Box of Rain, and bellowed out the final lines..."Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time TO BE THERE!!!!!" There was such a finality to it all...double encore even? hmmm... I was sure this was IT! My friends thought I was crazy...but I ran around like we had witnessed history... I'm not at all happy that I was right....though I recall feeling somewhat disappointed in the band for scheduling fall tour...they needed a break... Regardless, I actually had a blast at this show !

There would be no more grateful dead shows.BECAUSE..............IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN!! And the band WOULD NOT have put up with the YOUNG YUPPIE ASSHOLES that crashed the gates. I was not at this show and I am glad a was'nt. What the fuck were you people thinking???? I would have made a bumper sticker. "REAL DEADHEADS DON"T CRASH GATES" I hope security beat the fuck out of as many possible gate crasher as they could.............They fucking deserved it!! I can go on and on..............................

The above post doesn't understand why people were honored to be at this show... I guess you had to be there to understand. There was a wake like quality to it, and I was honored to be at Jerry's wake. There was a sense that Jerry was saying goodbye, and I teared up. I turned to my tour buddies and said after the show, "It's over." I was glad to have the opportunity to listen to Jerry's goodbye to us.

Oh yeah, I chose no to rate this show because there really is something about it that makes it impossible to rate it. (For me)

I agree that this show had a genuine sadness coming from Jerry throuhgout most of it. This was not uncommon in the last couple years, but I remember So Many Roads and as someone else said it gave me shivers up and down my spine. The utter sadness that Jerry was expressing along with a bitter sweet remembrance of years past. I actually remember hearing Jerry cry at one point during the show. I don't know if this was just his voice breaking or if he really was chocking up from emotion. After listening to the tapes it is still hard to tell, but it still gives me shivers all the same. Despite the uneveness of the show, there were still moments when that magic showed through, and it was clear that at that point in his life Jerry was most musically and emotionally engaged with the ballads. I feel honored to have witnessed Jerry play at all, and I will certainly never forget that night, sadness and all.

Solid show but you could tell Jerry was on this last rope. Very mellow. Was fortunate to see the very last show with one of my good friends HELMET.

Jerry's last show was my first. I was 18 and fresh out of high school and didn't have 30 years against which to compare July 9th, 1995. Maybe that's why I can remember nearly every event of the day and why the music sounded sooooo sweet regardless of how sick or tired anyone in the band may have been. I'm listening to "To the Sky" as I type this and it still sounds perfect to me.

i happened to be working in the antique restoration field the day jerry died...........in dublin cal...........my boss said sit down...... your guitar hero has just given up the ghost...............he told me to take the day off.....................patrick's pub was right next door....i went over there and had bloolymary after bloodymary, watched every news story that they had ...over and over andover........miss you jerry............always will............i'll always remember your kindness and fine licks and lyrics .....................................restinpeace..........................................see you someday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!had a chance to meet bruce peters yet...............look him up ...............he might suprise you..............................time to pick up my guitar and gently weep for all of those that have gone before...............................................got one stop at the rainbow bridge to make before i join you...............hows the acoustics there?????????????????????? love is all there is

reading this just brought me to tearsgd619

My daughters first show, She wasn't yet a year old but she loved it I held her in my arms and danced with her through the entire show, she smiled and giggled and hummed and looked into my eyes as if she knew. Knew what I had left behind to take care of her, Knew the joy that I was filled with to be back (HOME), it was like she was tuned in and was affected by the music the way I had always been. . . . sadly it was the last time that she would have the chance to feel that understanding. Thank you Jerry we miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish I was there, You all are so lucky to have been at such an important show in history... Just remember, energy does not ever die!!! Jerry IS alive and well on the other side and he will be back on this earth after he has rested and reincarnated 100 years from now or so!! GOD BLESS YOU JERRY AND ALL THE GRATEFUL DEAD AND DEAD HEADS IN THE WORLD!!!! Jerry, I will see you up above when it is MY time, with LOVE and your songs in my heart forever! Thank you! -PEACE- Cosmic Travelers - Gypsy Blue Tshirts, Glass, something 4 U!

I have to say, Im glad I wasn't there. My first show was late in Dead time, 1983, but for me, it was over in 94. After the worst RFK show I could remember, I decided my tour was done. The Dead for me is always been about joy, although they could make me cry too. And in the end, the scene, the music and Jerry was to sad for me to handle. Jerks at shows, obvious miscues and other issues on stage, plus Jer just mailing it in. It was too much of a downer. I did not need to see it firsthand. The music and Jerry mean too much to me to watch it crumbling. I'm happy for newbies to see the band at all, but my time was over, and I think Jerry's time was over long before Chicago. His job is to shed light, not to master.

This is a tough show to write about. I saw 84 shows since 1981 and pretty much stopped going in the 1990's. I missed a lot of opportunities because my best friend worked for GDTS and I could get great tickets and passes for any show I wanted, but I was tired of the huge stadiums and crowds. I was getting married on July 15, and my best man (the GDTS guy) was in town so we had killer seats and backstage passes for both shows. I skipped out 1/2-way through the night before so we could go have a bachelor's party. On the 9th, my wife and I went exploring backstage and found a quiet place to catch up. We were hanging around just backstage on stage right when Jerry walked down the runway and to the stage. He walked past us and I remember him looking at the crowd and the people applauding his entry with amazement. I know he had said he never really got used to that and you could genuinely see it on his face. I will say that he also looked in very bad shape, sort of white and pastey. I really had a hard time seeing him like that. We went to our seats which were row 15 or so center and I really thought the rest of the band was tight. I continued to feel disappointed with Jerry because he seemed to be having a tough time playing. I even physically threw my hands up with disgust during Unbroken Chain. The song came to the part that should have taken off with a beautiful solo and he couldn't hit the notes. This was a very Jerry heavy setlist so it is fitting for his last show. I suppose my critique of him at his last show will spark some anger, but it is my memory of the night and none of us knew it would be his last. Fare Thee Well, Jerry and thanks for a being part of 14 years of my life. Search Engine Optimization Online Casino

I was at the last two shows. All I can say is it was better than the night before.Thats not saying much though! Wasn't horrible but wasn't great. At least I got to see the last show with the exact same friends I seen my first show with! Fitting huh! I remember sitting at work (carpenter) having lunch and I here on the radio that Jerry Garcia died. And some asshole starts joking about it and bad mouthing Jerry.A fit of rage overcame me. I was about to knock his fucking teeth out, but the boss stepped in and just told me to go home early.I cried all the way home and went straight to the bar. But I cherish every moment I had following the dead, and have no regrets! The best time of my life!What a fitting name Grateful Dead!

Two unused tickets for this show, We never made it to Chi-town..The tix are from the GDTS and in absolute mint condition...I aslo have to Fall 95 Tour poster which never happened framed under glass.They are for sale anybody interested james.ramsay3@mohawkcollege.ca today is April 17 2008 I want DH's to have first crack at them before I sell the lot on ebay

I posted my comment about the summer of '95 and these last shows on the July 8th page, but I couldn't help comment in response to 'dustyrose'. I hear ya! I had returned to Minneapolis after finishing school and was spending time with family. On the day of Jerry's death I was out and about running errands, shopping, etc. I returned home and my mom told me (of all people, my mom gave me the news- I'm a 1st gen beatnik/hippie/deadhead in my family- so getting the news from my mom seemed a bit surreal). But my response was even more surreal. I remember it so vividly. I was eating a banana and peanut butter sandwich while sipping on some milk and said, "..... I know." God, it gives me chills to this day. I walked around the neighborhood stunned, returned home and drank a whole bottle of gin while watching GD videos and listening to miscellaneous snips of various shows. Dead shows are still my life's soundtrack, and that day was no exception. I lamented and paid hommage to the greatest (most versatile) guitarist of all time, but the joy he, and Bobby, Phil, Mickey, Bill, Vince, and Brett brought to my life outweighs any of the sadness on that day in August of '95.

The only Soldier Field shows we missed were these. We were in the process of buying our first house, and decided to pick up the fall tour in Philly instead. I have video of the show, and of course have heard the tapes, but its not the same as being there. I truly miss everything about the Dead as they were, most especially Jerry. Nothing lasts forever, though. Brian

My first show, I was 19 and a lover of the scene -still am. We spent the entire day of the show wondering through the huge parking lot. Browsing through the homemade crafts, jewlery, and clothing, munching on grilled cheese, and enjoying the culture of the hippies. I remember being stunned at the number of balloons that were scattered about the ground. It was a colorful display that I spotted from the highway as we were pulling in. I thought the show was fantastic and I felt amazed at the setlist. My friends said this was a great list that you don't usually see all of them together like that. I did notice the vibe felt off or more mellow. But of course I had nothing to compare this to. i loved this night and am forever grateful to the dead! Moving ahead one month to August 9th and I got up and went to work as I usually did. Just before lunch my boyfriend called to tell me Jerry died. Without missing a beat, I said, "I know" "But wait, no I don't know..." As he said those words a dream from the night before flashed in my head. Just a short scene in the darkness of my dream I was at a house where jerry was and I heard somebody yell down the hall, call an ambulance Jerry is dead. I still keep a deadhead sticker on my car.

I was honored to be at this "last" show and unfortunately, I was at Brent's last show as well. And as another footnote, Stevie Ray's last show at Alpine as well. People started telling me to stop going to the shows as I was bringing bad luck. The one thing that struck me was when Jerry was first shown in close-up on the big screen, I turned to my friend and told him I thought Brother Jerry was not long for this world. His forehead looked sunken in and it was obvious, at least to me, that he was not in good health. A memorable show to say the least and Bobby screwed up lyrics in defference to Jerry's miscues, which provided some levity to the whole proceeding..... We miss you G-Man!

Anyone who made it to this show is very fortunate; I wish I had. I'm just now listening to it for my first time. I have to say, I think it's pretty horrible compared to some of the scorchers I saw during my short stint between '87-'93. Still, it was the definitive end, and as such it was very, very important. I saw Brent's last show, and I never felt the same about the Dead afterward, although I still tried to see them when I could. I went through my own substance abuse hell throughout the nineties and Jerry's passing was just another fucked up part of a fucked up time for me. I didn't listen to the Dead for a long time after 1995—about ten years to be exact. I've rediscovered how magical those mere mortals could be when they hit the stage together. I can't relate to the Dead-head lifestyle anymore—not one bit—but this music touches my soul just as much as it did when I was a kid. Maybe more. I miss Jerry and those carefree nights with good friends in a strange town far from home, listening to the music that made us feel so damn fine; like nothing mattered but that night. I think he had packed it in before this Soldiers Field show. He sounds so very frail and small and resigned; miles and miles from that first night that I heard him sing Cold Rain and Snow (I think they did Black Muddy River that night too) in 1987. He never wanted to be our spiritual leader, and he gave all he had to give in spite of a lifelong battle against demons and soul-consuming fire. I don't know how he did it. I'm grateful to have been along for the ride, though. If I had seen this show, I would feel a bit more complete I think. Thanks Jerry. Thanks, guys.

The last show we left after the encore and as we were heading out they did another. I remeber standing outside listening to the song saying to myself what a horriable tour. We had to drive right home afterwards in the pouring rain. It was sad this was the last one because the whole year just was not right. I love the scene if they were there for the music not the party. It was a closing of a great ride for me ten years following the GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME.

If I knew then what i know now i would have keyed in on the beauty of the whole Grateful Dead experience that nite,and not the negative obvious shortcomings of the band,fans,and music.I saw my 1st show in CHI92,and as the years went by and Jerrys health declined I heard rumblings of how dead the Dead were becoming,but to me it was and still is some of the greatest times of my life,even when Jerry would nod off and forget some lines or notes, there is nothing more beautiful than Rosebud,Jerry and the rest of the boys live and in color. WAVE THAT FLAG!!!!

nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile... I went with my buddy B, and on a whim we hit chicago trying to score some tickets. We found everyone that had a ticket wanted like 90 bucks which at that time for me was absurd. So I find a POS that had some tickets for sixty. He was from pittsburgh PA, anyway we look at the tickets and buy them and start talking to some deadheads and they said the backs didn't look the same as theirs, they also said if you burn the edge and it doesen't burn its fake. So we tried it and sure enough it didn't burn. So my friend and I went to find the POS(piece of shit) and were ready to kill this guy. Of couse as the magic of the dead we find the guy in like 2.2 and as he is about to sell some other moron like us some tickets we yell don't buy those tickets from that loser they are fake. We went up to that guy and demanded our money back if he didn't want to be a part of the pavement, he took out a gangster roll, and quickly peeled back six twentys and gave us our money back. The only thing I regret to this day is not pumaling that guy and takeing every ticket and dollar he had on him. And believe you me, I am a very kind, and nice individual, but if I could do it all over again he wouldn't have even a dime on him and no one would have been ripped off from there on out. Any way we go back to talk to the deadheads that told us about the fakes, to thank them, that's when the dead magic hits us for the second time, we are thanking them, one of the guys pipes up and says we heard what you went thru and a couple of our friends can't make the show, we have 2 tickets. They sold us the tickets for face value of like 50 bucks each. very cool guys and great scene normally. Thank you deadhead, and I think about you daily and miss you all that I have hung out with, helped, and have been helped by you more then I can tell. Don't get me wrong there are the pompus deadheads that think because they've toured for 20 or 30 years they are the coolest and younger ones are ruining it, while there is some truth to this, these ones I don't miss. FYI just because your birthday is before mine, and you've seen the dead a few more times then me it does not mean that you are cooler or kinder, or you have more love for the dead. It just means that you will most likely die before me, and we will the link to the next generation to spead the music, love, and magic. Now on to the show, yeah it wasn't the best, but still some highlights for sure. That so many roads was out of this world, the opener of touch of grey was great, yeah i know he screwed it up, but that was Jerry and the timming of everything, but the sheer meaning of the tune, yeah Jer we will get by...how anyone can complain about unbroken chain is beyond me, they could have done it without the PA system and it would have rocked ass. This was amazing for any fan. I really enjoyed the lazy river road i thought he wailed that one out and a real gem in the first set. The cumberland blues blew me away, I know you deadheads that have seen shows since 71' this may not have been the best rendition, but I though it was stellar and was happy to hear it live. I loved the Shakedown to open the 2nd set another classic, and the double encore of black muddy river was tear jerking, the box of rain was completely off the hook. Phil was on fire and just ripped that one, I still think about that song 14 years latter. Thanks phil, and thanks to the boys and all you REAL deadheads, you know who you are. I'll see you at the allstate arena in may and then in Colorado two days latter for the reunion tour.

I was privileged to attend only 6 shows from 91' to 95'. I was only 14 years old at my first show and nearly 18 at Jerry's last show, but for me as a very young fan, it wasn't just about the drugs, or the label of "hippie", or any cool trend..... it was a kindred peace, a long gone spirit of kindness and awareness of one another, our differences and similarities as emotional human beings, just being together and being alright with that. This formed who I am, and I am oh so glad for that early experience. There was truly no show like a Grateful Dead show and nothing that can ease an aching soul like being present and hearing the beautiful music fill the air. No matter how you pick apart the sound; good, bad, lacking, whatever it became in the 90's, at least they we're present and there for the world still, hope much needed. I know I needed what I gleaned from them as a kid, I miss this so very much....I am grateful for the time though, and grateful for the music still......but "every silver linings got a touch of grey." And as always, from then to now, there is nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.....so this emotional rose can just ramble on now..........

I had tickets to both Chicago shows, and was very happy about it. We had done most of the 94 summer tour, and after being back in the fold, I was happy to see Deer Creek and Chicago. When we got to the hotel on the 9th, two friends of mine told me they had just found out they were pregnant with their first baby. Allison and Jesse were super excited, and without tickets for the show. I handed mine over and said "you guys are going to be sidelined from tour for a while, and I'll always have next summer." It was the end of an era, but the beginning of another. They went to the show, and I went back to the hotel with my then boyfriend. I found out I was pregnant the morning Jerry died, which was a month later. We later calculated that the night of the last dead show was the night I got pregnant. I named my daugher Jaryn which means "to sing or cry out with joy". One man gathers what another man spills.

I had scored 8th row floor seats, first time ever that close, I loved the show, it felt like a Grand Good bye, So Many Roads, When I Paint, Shakedown-Samaon, Black Muddy. It just felt like a Good Bye Speech, remebering the good, and the bad, and the length of time the journey took....I turned to a friend after the show and even said, I think this was the last show, I think they are retiring, that was the feeling I had, I know others talk about a strange feeling that night, to me it just felt like the end...I kept telling people that the Dead were retiring for good, but with the releae of the fall tour dates I saw I was wrong...little did I know it was truly the last show

I was there, I was 17 years old, it was my second tour- show #10. My mom was the one who told me when Jerry passed. She wasn't a fan but she came upstairs crying with regret of her news. The years pass but my memories never fade.

I HAVE MANY STORIES FROM THAT NIGHT,,,,,,,WE WALK FROM OUR HOTEL TO SOLDIERS FIELD, I WAS DOING PRETTY WELL FOR MY SELF THAT TOUR WE BOUGHT EVER TIX WE FOUND ON OUR WAY, 9 IN ALL WE GOT TO THE STADIUM AND WERE ABLE TO MIRICLE 7 PEOPLE THAT NIGHT, HALF WAY THROUGH THE SECOND SET I RAN IN TO MY BROTHER, HE WAS WAY HIGH AND CRYING AND HE TOLD ME HE HAD JUST SAW THE FUTURE AND THIS WAS THE LAST TIME WE WERE GOING TO SEE JERRY I TRIED TO CALM HIM DOWN, BUT SOMETING INSIDE OF ME TOLD ME TO WATCH JERRY FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW, I DID,RIGHT TILL HE WALKED OFF STAGE AND DOWN THE HALL,,,,, THATS JUST TWO STORIES FROM THAT NIGHT MAYBE ONE DAY ILL TELL THE REST,,,, IF I TOLD ALL THAT WENT DOWN IT WOULD BURN OFF BOTH YOUR EARS,,,,,,,,,,JINGLE - FEW GOOD MEN MC - NEW YORK

After attending god knows how many shows since '76 , my tank was almost as empty as Jerry's. Not sure why, maybe in my heart I knew the best was long gone. 14 years later , I'm starting to listen again , never stopped really , phil shows & ratdog kept the juices flowing. Lets hope this years tour brings back the good vibes, We all need it.

Motoman- I have a feeling this tour will definitely bring back the good vibes! Despite the tough times, 2009 will be a great year for live music! So dust off your camping gear, get into tour shape, and grab a ride cuz we'll be rockin this spring/summer!

Have just spent the last hour reading all of these comments and posts, some good some bad. I was 20 yrs old in 95 and had just gotten the fever that spring tour in Memphis. I clearly remember the Wharf Rat I heard on the second night and that was basically it for me. I had always been a free spirit maybe born a decade too late? Who knows.But I had found a place a group where people took care of one another.Where you could literally sit and visit with 3 generations in one family...I dont know why at my young age that always struck me but i can still see the faces of the family i met in deer creek sitting on a blanket having a picnic and it was grandma,grandpa,mom dad, and bro and sis...all at a dead show. Sure i saw and partook in my share of excess and deriliction but it wasnt the hub it was merely part of it. When I would get up on the morning of show day i would put my ticket in a "special" pocket. Nothing else went in this pocket all day long, and maybe four or five hundred times i would reach in my pocket and grin ear to ear as i felt it in my pocket and knew i still had my lil piece of magic. I can distinctly remember swaying an skipping to my seats no matter how good or how bad, once inside the venue. When summer tour 95 was announced we mail ordered the whole deal, and then i asked for time off from work. I was working as a delivery boy for a printing company at the time and had a pretty secure thing going. I can remember my boss calling me in to his office to tell me that i just couldn't take any more time off and that I wouldnt be able to go on tour. I calmly walked out of his office, took all my keys off my key ring and went back in,placed them on his desk and said "I Quit" I had no idea what my next job would be or how i would pay my rent but i knew i had tickets to the summer 95 tour and i was going. Looking back it was one of the best decisions i ever made....My parents were absolutely freaked out. My dad layed into me telling me how he had never quit a job without having another one lined up and how irresponsible and yada yada yada. I went on tour that summer and experienced things and people that helped to shape me into the 33 yr old husband and father i am today.The day that Jerry died my former boss(the one that wouldn't give me time off)was the one to call me and give me the news......He said he was sorry. Shortly afterward my mother called and reassured me that i had done the right thing and how grateful she was that i had the experience. In reading all of these posts from others i have laughed and cried, gotten chills recalling the VOJ and BMR from soldier field, but mostly i have felt a part of me come back alive as i await the upcoming tour. I am working stiff today with mouths to feed and bills to pay so i too was somewhat put off by the prices and the fiasco of getting tickets.But here today I realize that i have been and always will be a Head. Always in search of my next adventure, my next experience, and my next oppurtunity to meet some of the most righteous people to walk the face of the earth. So thank you Ron, Brent,Keith,Donna,Tom,Vince,Bruce,Jerry,Bobby,Phil,Mickey,Bill for being apart of something so big and so life changing to so many. You are truly appreciated for your skill and your craft. No good night bad night bad sound B>S>from me. Only humble and simple thanks for being you and doing what you do. Look forward to seeing you all in chicago(hey i could only get a couple days off work) Nothing left to do but smile smile smile!!!!!!!

this was the craziest night . it was the opposit of everything good and pure. my friend ted was getting sent to india for medical school his dads friend had luxury box seats we were partying like rockstars[we drank half the booze in the bar i was so fucked up that i watched blurily at the television and barely caught any of it by the time jerry played black muddy river my friends were carrying me out

My face is still missing from my head. Don't think it will ever be found...

This was the first Dead show that I was completely sober for. The tour had taken it's toll on me by the time I had gotten back to my home in Chicago. Trying to get a second wind on day when the wind won't blow is very difficult. I can recall having long conversations about how this was, most likely, going to be the last tour for the band, something many people did like to hear. Many of my fellow deadheads shared in the fact that the scene surrounding the dead had changed unfortuanely for the worst. I was so emotionally spent by the time these shows came around that the first night I was numb to the whole scene. The second night, confirmed to me that the tour was over and so was the dead. Phil sang three times that night a rarity for any show and the song selection resonated and confirmed my feelings. I can't help you with your troubles, If you won't help with mine and I don't know now, I just don't know, If I'm goin' back again rang in my ears that night as it does today. But at least I can say, in some respects, that I am going back again and look foward to the Spring Tour!!! May your hearts be kind and the road be safe for everyone on tour this spring and lets give one last round of applause for the Good Ol' Grateful Dead.

Yes, this tour came into Chicago with an already "trouble ahead" at both Deer Creek and St. Louis. I was saddened to hear those reports and had for several years tiring of all the people showing up at Dead shows not to see the band, but just to party in the parking lot. Regardless, having gone to Sat.'s show, coupled with all the mess in the lots, I hadn't planned on going to Sun.'s show. However, a friend of mind had called me to explain how he had befriended Steven Marcus (GDP's ticket guy) at a restaurant he worked at and as a result scored two free tics. We arrived early Sun. and met up with Steve to get the tickets. As if that wasn't' cool enough, along with the two tics (right up front) Steve also gave us back stage passes in the form of Marvel Comics Kid Colt (posted on this site under pics f/show). Good news is we were able to briefly meet the band after the first set and I'm forever grateful for that! Because after the show we tried again to go back stage but security wasn't letting anyone back there regardless of credentials!? Thanks to "TomBanjo" comments on this site quoting Phil in his book stating that "the band stayed behind and watched the spectacular fireworks after the show was over which they had never done before." I always wondered why we couldn't get back stage again, now it makes sense. R.I.P 4ever Jerry...

After over 100 shows, being at this one and the night before was very sad indeed, painfully so. I could barely stand it at times, I was in the front 10 rows (thanks GDTS and Ruby). It hurt so bad to see jer in that shape, he was pasty white and lost lost lost. The most painful was the night before in sugaree, he could not even find his way in that simple song, once each night, and from my point of view only once, he snapped abruptly awake, shockingly so, so many roads tonight and visions from the night before. They were both as stunningly beautiful as the rest was painful. Thank g-d for phil breaking out box of rain, it was the only way it made it ok. After the show my friend turned to be and said jer will die soon, I said no, sadly I was wrong... I was just reading Phil's book, which is great by the way, and he says when pig died, jer told phil, "that motherfucker...now HE KNOWS....thank you for many many many good years, thank you to the band for so much joy and fun and even wisdom and light.

The night before Sat the 8th was my birthday. So needless to say by Sundays show I was pretty tired and hadn't slept yet. Jerry was badly off and the whole air felt "wrong" so I am embaressed to say I dozed off a little. If I had know it would be the last show I would have stayed awake and treasured it despite it's quality. I came back 2 days later to see Pearl Jam play Soldier Field, so for me it was a great birthday week. Until about a month later of course. Then I was mad at myself for sleeping through about 20 minutes of music at what turned out to be the last show.

If you have an opportunity to listen to this show,pay attention to the first refrain of BMR ,jerry clearly says LAST MUDDY RIVER.and when he dropped his hands to his side during SMR,looks to the sky and says"Lord,i've been walking that road,"i looked at my friend and said this is it man,the last show.Little did i know how right i was.But the music and memories will be with us forever.thank you guys for the best thirteen years of my life!

Sweet Home Chicago. I kept seeing the stickers and shirts that said "All the years combine, they melt into a dream 1965-1995." This was exactly my life (I was born New Year's Eve 1964!!!) and I kept saying to my friends "It's my life flashing before my eyes!"...turned out to by Jerry's life with the band... A broken angel sings...