04/28/80
Boutwell Auditorium - Birmingham, AL
Dad was a Cowboy Hippie in the day('70-'77). He would be MIA for weeks, it wasn't until I was 15 he told me. Chasing the GD around the country. Ironically, I hit the road at 15...... with his blessing no doubt. Off I go, "Infesting the world-J.G." and chasing the GD. Good news....I am gainfully employeed and alive!!!!!
The nut doesn't fall too far from the tree.....
A place to talk about the music of the Grateful Dead
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By Darkstar860Re: Searching for a JBL K-120 Fri Aug 14, 2026 7:41 pm
July 27 (I think was the date), 1973
Watkins Glen, Friday
Took all day to drive up that road to the Glen and then our whole caravan found a spot to camp, and we quickly set up our tents.
Off in the distance I started to hear Sugaree and I looked at everyone and next thing you know we were all getting our tickets from the guy who had been holding them. Turns out the tickets weren't needed and I would kill to still have the mint condition ticket, but it is long gone.
Got to the first fence, real high, but we all got over it. When we came back later the fence was completely opened up.
Pockets of people here and there all rushing up the slope to get within sight of the stage as darkness was falling.
Heard the legendary Soundcheck Jam around 60 feet from the stage. Garcia was really in his element that night! When they played it, I thought it was a morphed version of Dark Star, then in my confusion, I thought it was China Cat because Weir started doing a strange chord thing like the Europe '72 transition, and I only remembered that they played Tennessee Jed also.
The next day, they started around noon, as the first act, it was way too hot and sunny, waaaay too crowded. Just going to a portasan took around 45 minutes. And they wern't too good because there was no lightshow and everyone was too baked from the night before.
For the Band, I went back to the tent to try and sleep. Came back for the Allman Brothers, and stayed up by the stage, right where Betts was playing, in a good 6 inches of mud, so couldn't sit down for hours.
There was this pole right out in front of the stage and it had a nailed board sideways on it at the top. Someone would be sitting up there, or climbing down, or climbing up, but whoever it was, they had to shinny up the pole and it was amazing that anyone could.
By the time I got back home late Sunday I was completely burned out. But I had no job to go to and caddying golf bags when I felt like it was how I got by. If I had $20 to my name I wouldn't work for days. Life was good livin' at home when still in high school.
Watkins Glen, Friday
Took all day to drive up that road to the Glen and then our whole caravan found a spot to camp, and we quickly set up our tents.
Off in the distance I started to hear Sugaree and I looked at everyone and next thing you know we were all getting our tickets from the guy who had been holding them. Turns out the tickets weren't needed and I would kill to still have the mint condition ticket, but it is long gone.
Got to the first fence, real high, but we all got over it. When we came back later the fence was completely opened up.
Pockets of people here and there all rushing up the slope to get within sight of the stage as darkness was falling.
Heard the legendary Soundcheck Jam around 60 feet from the stage. Garcia was really in his element that night! When they played it, I thought it was a morphed version of Dark Star, then in my confusion, I thought it was China Cat because Weir started doing a strange chord thing like the Europe '72 transition, and I only remembered that they played Tennessee Jed also.
The next day, they started around noon, as the first act, it was way too hot and sunny, waaaay too crowded. Just going to a portasan took around 45 minutes. And they wern't too good because there was no lightshow and everyone was too baked from the night before.
For the Band, I went back to the tent to try and sleep. Came back for the Allman Brothers, and stayed up by the stage, right where Betts was playing, in a good 6 inches of mud, so couldn't sit down for hours.
There was this pole right out in front of the stage and it had a nailed board sideways on it at the top. Someone would be sitting up there, or climbing down, or climbing up, but whoever it was, they had to shinny up the pole and it was amazing that anyone could.
By the time I got back home late Sunday I was completely burned out. But I had no job to go to and caddying golf bags when I felt like it was how I got by. If I had $20 to my name I wouldn't work for days. Life was good livin' at home when still in high school.
My first GD show was with Keith and Donna (only saw them once with K&D), at Madison Sqaure Garden (I think it was Sept or Jan, cuz I recall we had just got back to school after a break, I was in 10th grade, '78/'79).
My next show was with Brent, either at MSG, Nasau, or the Spectrum (wish I could figer it out).
I once went to a halloween party (Oct '80 probably) as a character from a local NJ radio spot, called "Concert Happenings". I taped all my ticket stubs to a suede fringe hippie vest.
By the end of the night they had moslty been picked off by party goers.
Wish I still had 'em!
My next show was with Brent, either at MSG, Nasau, or the Spectrum (wish I could figer it out).
I once went to a halloween party (Oct '80 probably) as a character from a local NJ radio spot, called "Concert Happenings". I taped all my ticket stubs to a suede fringe hippie vest.
By the end of the night they had moslty been picked off by party goers.
Wish I still had 'em!
28-APR-80 Birmingham, AL.
But a young pup, Dad was a head and turned me on to the dead. He offered to buy my first guitar for me on a single condition, I learn "Ripple".
I got the guitar when I was 8 bought a pitch pipe (Pre-electronic / Digital tuner days). I learned chords from watching "Hee-Haw" specifically Buck and Roy. I can still hammer out the "Dang-de-dank-dank" song. Old foggies will know what I'm talking about. Hee-Haw, Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert were the ONLY music TV at the time.
Learned Ripple (Strumming only) at 8 and the "Long Strange Trip" hasn't stopped. The hair is much shorter, the Chuck Taylors and Tie-dyes only come out on the week-ends. The ring tone on the cell phone is "Franklin's Tower".
Now....
I am teaching my kids to play, and doing my best to figure out "System of a Down" tunings....
Pass it forward...
My kids will never see the dead live, but they dig the crazy notion that every concert is different. I take them to "classic" concerts now... an hour and 10 minutes of the same show they have been playing for 10, 20, 30 years... Even at 15, 14 and 11 they recognize that the Dead were not your average rock and roll band.
PASS IT FORWARD....
Rant, rant, rant....
"Gone are the days....."
PEACE
Phil
EDIT:
Dang.... I just noticed I posted to this thread already... Deja vu all over again...
But a young pup, Dad was a head and turned me on to the dead. He offered to buy my first guitar for me on a single condition, I learn "Ripple".
I got the guitar when I was 8 bought a pitch pipe (Pre-electronic / Digital tuner days). I learned chords from watching "Hee-Haw" specifically Buck and Roy. I can still hammer out the "Dang-de-dank-dank" song. Old foggies will know what I'm talking about. Hee-Haw, Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert were the ONLY music TV at the time.
Learned Ripple (Strumming only) at 8 and the "Long Strange Trip" hasn't stopped. The hair is much shorter, the Chuck Taylors and Tie-dyes only come out on the week-ends. The ring tone on the cell phone is "Franklin's Tower".
Now....
I am teaching my kids to play, and doing my best to figure out "System of a Down" tunings....
Pass it forward...
My kids will never see the dead live, but they dig the crazy notion that every concert is different. I take them to "classic" concerts now... an hour and 10 minutes of the same show they have been playing for 10, 20, 30 years... Even at 15, 14 and 11 they recognize that the Dead were not your average rock and roll band.
PASS IT FORWARD....
Rant, rant, rant....
"Gone are the days....."
PEACE
Phil
EDIT:
Dang.... I just noticed I posted to this thread already... Deja vu all over again...
Last edited by I'm on the Bozo Bus on Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
4-16-78
Pittsburgh, 2'nd row, 1st trip...wow
Scarlet--Fire(intro)--Dancin'
2nd set
Actually saw Bobby a few months before during his Heaven Help The fool Tour, and Jerry at the Famed 3-17-78 show with Bob Hunter opening.
Pittsburgh, 2'nd row, 1st trip...wow
Scarlet--Fire(intro)--Dancin'
2nd set
Actually saw Bobby a few months before during his Heaven Help The fool Tour, and Jerry at the Famed 3-17-78 show with Bob Hunter opening.
Richmond. 10.08.83. Wow! Lost outside.found friends and a ticket and somehow got in. Weird wild wonderful world in the dark. By the second set it was all kicking in just right. Funny I thought Bobby was the star cause Jerry stood over in the corner not moving and Bob jumped about to carry the load. This all led to Hampton, Red Rocks, Shoreline, Greek Theatre and good ole Mill Valley ( Sweetwater). Definately changed my life. Thanks Bubba.
Grateful Dead
Providence Civic Center 4/15/82
Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, Candyman, C C Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down The Line, Peggy-O, Cassidy,Althea, Looks Like Rain > Deal
Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone> Drums > Space > Truckin'> Morning Dew, Good Lovin'
Encore Don't Ease Me In
Providence Civic Center 4/15/82
Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, Candyman, C C Rider, Ramble On Rose, Beat It On Down The Line, Peggy-O, Cassidy,Althea, Looks Like Rain > Deal
Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain, Estimated Prophet > He's Gone> Drums > Space > Truckin'> Morning Dew, Good Lovin'
Encore Don't Ease Me In
now I don't remember alot about the show, except seeing Jerry come on with NRPS, and the arena being only half full... sure would like to see a setlist for my first show 4/12/1971 Pittsburgh
but it was the beginning of a long strange trip that continues today as I play bass in a GD jamband hoping to capture and share some of the magic
http://www.theCAUSEjams.com
but it was the beginning of a long strange trip that continues today as I play bass in a GD jamband hoping to capture and share some of the magic
http://www.theCAUSEjams.com
Last edited by causebass on Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
8/2/76
Colt Park, Hartford, CT.
outdoors. 6:30 show. They all came out in sun glasses. A nice intro to a long journey.
Colt Park, Hartford, CT.
outdoors. 6:30 show. They all came out in sun glasses. A nice intro to a long journey.
The river keeps a talkin'
first
08-23-80 Alpine Valley Music Theatre
1: Alabama> Promised, Candyman, Me & My Uncle> Big River, Tennessee Jed, Lazy Lightning> Supplication, Althea, Music
2: Don't Ease, Sailor> Saint> He's Gone> Drumz> Wharf Rat> Around> Good Lovin E: Saturday Night
08-23-80 Alpine Valley Music Theatre
1: Alabama> Promised, Candyman, Me & My Uncle> Big River, Tennessee Jed, Lazy Lightning> Supplication, Althea, Music
2: Don't Ease, Sailor> Saint> He's Gone> Drumz> Wharf Rat> Around> Good Lovin E: Saturday Night