Dead Show/podcast for 6/26/26

This week’s Deadpod features the Grateful Dead’s second set from June 4, 1978, at Campus Stadium, University of California, Santa Barbara—a show that captures the band in a confident and fluid late-’70s mode.

The set opens with a lively “Samson and Delilah,” followed by a nicely rendered “Ship of Fools” that provides an early contrast in mood. The improvisational core begins with “Estimated Prophet,” which unfolds patiently before transitioning into a bright and engaging “Eyes of the World.” (nevermind Bobby stepping on Jerry's solo).  The Eyes is a bit on the fast side, I wonder if the presence of Ken Kesey and the Thunder machine had something to do with that?

“Drums” and a concise “Space” serve as a bridge into the closing sequence, where a driving “Not Fade Away” builds into “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” and a high-energy “Around and Around.” The set is capped by a pair of encores—“U.S. Blues” and “Sugar Magnolia”—that bring the performance to an upbeat conclusion.

Overall, this is a well-paced and cohesive second set, offering both strong song performances and a satisfying improvisational arc. As always, I hope you enjoy the listen.

 

 

Grateful Dead
Campus Stadium - University Of California
Santa Barbara, CA 6/4/1978 - Sunday 

Two     

Samson And Delilah [6:34] 
Ship Of Fools [6:57] 
Estimated Prophet [10:40] >
Eyes Of The World [10:16] >
Drums [10:#16] >
Space (1) [4:21] >
Not Fade Away [8:04] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:29] >
Around And Around [7:27]

Encores     
U.S. Blues [5:09] 
Sugar Magnolia [7:51]  

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod062626.mp3 

As always thanks for your kind support of the Deadpod!  

Dead Show/podcast for 6/19/26

This week’s Deadpod takes us back to sunny California for a Sunday show at the University of California, Santa Barbara, on June 4, 1978.

This is their first show in about a month following the excellent Spring tour, and the band sounds like they’re in great spirits—evidenced both by the between-song banter and the upbeat performances throughout the set. A somewhat unusual pairing opens things up, with “Bertha” flowing into “Good Lovin’”—be sure to listen for Garcia’s vocal touches there.

You might also notice Bobby’s vocal substitution in “Me and My Uncle,” a small but interesting moment. The whole set is strong, but highlights for me include a particularly expressive “Looks Like Rain” and, of course, a very satisfying “Tennessee Jed.” Things nearly get out of hand on the closing “Jack Straw,” which makes for a fun finish.

Grateful Dead
Campus Stadium - University Of California
Santa Barbara, CA
6/4/1978 - Sunday

One
Bertha [7:01] >
Good Lovin' [6:21]
Dire Wolf [3:21]
Me And My Uncle [3:04] >
Big River [6:03]
Brown Eyed Women [5:02]
Looks Like Rain [7:35]
Tennessee Jed [8:20]
Jack Straw [5:21]

You can listen to this week’s Deadpod here:
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061926.mp3

We’ll play the second set next week. For now, I hope you enjoy this fine show from June of 1978. My thanks, as always, for your kind support.

Dead Show/podcast for 6/12/26

This week’s Deadpod features the second set from June 6th, 1992, a performance that captures the Grateful Dead’s late-era mix of looseness, drive, and exploratory spirit. The set opens on a joyful note with “Iko Iko,” before shifting into a spacious “Estimated Prophet” that leads into a rare second-set “The Same Thing.” From there, the mood turns inward with a heartfelt “He’s Gone,” setting up the transition into “Drums” and “Space.” Out of “Space,” the band launches a powerful “The Other One,” bringing a darker, more intense energy before easing into “The Wheel.” The closing run of “Throwing Stones” and “One More Saturday Night” delivers the expected early-’90s punch. The encore pairing of “Baba O’Riley” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” is a highlight, underscoring the band’s willingness in this period to reinterpret classic rock and psychedelic touchstones in their own voice. It’s a well-paced, engaging second set that offers a rewarding snapshot of the Dead in 1992. 

Grateful Dead
Rich Stadium
Orchard Park, NY 6/6/1992 - Saturday

Two    

Iko Iko ;
Estimated Prophet >
The Same Thing >
He's Gone >
Drums >
Space >
The Other One >
The Wheel >
Throwing Stones >
One More Saturday Night

Encore    
Baba O'Riley >
Tomorrow Never Knows

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod061226.mp3  

As always my sincere thanks for your kind support..  

Dead Show/podcast for 6/5/26

 

This week’s Deadpod comes from a listener request, as we head to Buffalo, New York, and the Grateful Dead’s performance at Rich Stadium on June 6, 1992. It’s firmly in the early ’90s period, with Vince Welnick on keys and the band leaning into a more polished, modern sound while still drawing on their deep songbook.

In this first set we get a very ’90s opener with “Touch of Grey” into “Greatest Story Ever Told,” followed by a focused “Althea” and a lively “It’s All Over Now.” The mood then shifts into a more acoustic‑flavored stretch with “Friend of the Devil” and “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” before the set closes out with a sing‑along “Ramble On Rose” and a “Let It Grow” that brings some welcome late‑set energy and improvisation. This week we’ll feature that opening set; we’ll return to Buffalo next week for the second set and its high‑energy closing stretch.

I hope you enjoy this listener‑selected trip back to June 6, 1992 in Buffalo.

Grateful Dead
Rich Stadium
Orchard Park, NY 6/6/1992 - Saturday

One    

Touch Of Grey 
Greatest Story Ever Told 
Althea 
It's All Over Now 
Friend Of The Devil 
When I Paint My Masterpiece 
Ramble On Rose 
Let It Grow

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod060526.mp3 

My thanks for your kind support! 

 

 

Dead Show/podcast for 5/29/26

This week’s Deadpod continues our visit to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, as we present the second set from May 8, 1981. After last week’s well‑played opening set, the band comes out strong here with a big “Shakedown Street” into “Samson and Delilah,” then digs deep with “Terrapin Station” flowing into a wide‑open “Playin’ in the Band” and on through Drums and Space. Ken Kesey even joins in on harmonica during Space and the “U.S. Blues” encore, adding a unique extra flavor to the proceedings. The home stretch features a fiery “Not Fade Away,” a beautiful “Stella Blue,” and a rousing “Sugar Magnolia,” capped by that “U.S. Blues” encore that feels just right for this time of year.

Grateful Dead

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 5/8/1981 - Friday

Two
Shakedown Street [16:09] >
Samson And Delilah [6:50] ;
Terrapin Station[12:28] >
Playing In The Band [16:27] >
Drums [4:#36] >
Space** [6:30] >
Not Fade Away [9:17] >
Stella Blue [9:24] >
Sugar Magnolia [8:58]
Encore
U.S. Blues** [5:37]
Comments **with Ken Kesey on harmonica

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod052926.mp3

May this music bring a smile .. 

Dead Show/podcast for 5/22/26

For this Memorial Day weekend edition of the Deadpod, we’re traveling to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, for the Grateful Dead’s spring tour stop on May 8, 1981. This is early‑’80s Brent Mydland era, and the band sounds sharp and energized: Jerry’s in good voice, Brent’s keys add color and bounce, and the rhythm section keeps everything moving with plenty of drive and nuance.

In this first installment we feature the opening set, a compact but very satisfying run that opens with “Jack Straw” and “Peggy‑O,” moves through “Me and My Uncle,” “Big River,” “Loser,” and “Althea,” and builds to a strong “Let It Grow” before closing with “Don’t Ease Me In.” Next week we’ll return to Nassau for the second set, highlighted by a big “Shakedown Street” opener, a deep “Terrapin Station” into “Playin’ in the Band” sequence, and a powerful closing stretch that feels just right for the start of summer.

I hope you enjoy this slice of May 1981 from Nassau.

Grateful Dead

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY
5/8/1981 - Friday
One
Jack Straw [5:38] ;
Peggy-O [6:47] ;
Me And My Uncle [2:59] >
Big River [5:39] ;
Loser [8:05] ;
C C Rider [7:49] ;
Althea [8:43] >
Let It Grow[10:27] >
Don't Ease Me In [3:12]

You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod052226.mp3

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.....