john@fritz.UUCP (John Gilbert) (01/03/85)
The New Year was once again greeted in style by the Grateful Dead, and the traditional "Sugar Magnolia" played while thousands of balloons and beachballs fell from the ceiling. Just before midnight, Bill Graham rode a lightning bolt (a favorite Dead icon) from the back corner of the San Francisco Civic Auditorium down to center stage, casting flowers upon the masses along the way. The three shows also offered a few surprises, like "Spoonful" and "Day Tripper" the first nite, and "(Turn On Your) Lovelight" finishing the second of three sets at the New Years show. The third set opened with Phil singing "Gimme Some Lovin'". I would not describe the event as an outstanding Dead New Years, but I don't think anyone there failed to have a good time. The tragic news of the death of (roadie) Steve Parish's wife and child Friday night probably had a dampening effect on the band. At present I do not have the setlist for the Friday nite show, but I do know they played "Spoonful" and "Day Tripper", a Minglewood type tune called "Aint Superstitious", and an unknown Brent blues number. They opened with "Touch Of Grey", and "China Cat/Rider" for the second set. The playlists for the Saturday and New Years shows are: Saturday, 12/29 Monday, 12/31 - 01/01/85 One More Saturday Nite Shakedown Street Friend Of The Devil New, New Minglewood Blues My Brother Esau Fennario Big Railroad Blues Jack Straw Cassidy Bird Song Althea Hell In A Bucket Let It Grow Don't Ease Me In Samson & Delilah Sugar Magnolia Terrapin Scarlet Begonias Playing In The Band Fire On The Mountain Rhythm Devils Man Smart ... Woman Smarter Space Rhythm Devils Truckin' Space Stella Blue Spanish Wind Not Fade Away The Wheel Throwing Stones Brokedown Palace (Turn On Your) Lovelight Gimme Some Lovin' Uncle John's Band Round 'N Round It's All Over Now, Baby Blue The tapers section worked out quite well. We were all Dead Center balcony, and the sound was pretty good up there. There was a feeling of comraderie and we all made some new friends. I presume the Dead are now off on vacation for a few months. Hope to see them soon this spring. No answer at the hotline. "Bound to cover just a little more ground!" John Gilbert ..!trwrb!felix!john