Dead of the Day: 03-15-1990 Capital Centre Landover, Maryland

The Ides of March happen to be Phil Lesh’s birthday. And, for our Dead of the Day, we turn to a show on his fiftieth, March 15, 1990 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. A Jack Straw opens the show on a playful note, especially when Bobby flubs some lyrics around the 2:20 mark, causing Brent to howl with laughter. It is clear from the beginning the boys are having fun. An epic Sugaree proves they can still take care of business before Brent offers up an out of sight Easy to Love You – the first one played since 1980 – with tremendous jamming on the keys and a really pretty section of vocal vamping at the end. Phil gets in on the vocals with Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues…

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the grateful dead playing at the warfield

Heads' Tales S1 E6
Blog: S1 E6 In the Shadow of the Sphinx: Don Defenderfer

Winterland in the 70s, the hiatus shows, and Egypt 1978 are just some of the greatest moments in the history of the Grateful Dead that our guest this week, Don Defenderfer, experienced in the flesh. Margaret and I were thrilled to listen to his intimate and captivating stories and were just as floored by his […]

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dancing bears

scruffy long haired band on stage
Dead Guest: Beach Boys

Happy birthday to Mike Love of the Beach Boys. Him and his bandmates joined the Dead on stage back in 1971. In honor of Mike, listen to that show and read more about the Beach Boys and the Dead.

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March 15, 1969Hilton HotelSan Francisco, California

On this day in 1969, the Grateful Dead played a black-tie fundraiser for the San Francisco Symphony as only the Dead can with a late start, an early exit, and a steamy Dark Star> Stephen> Eleven> Lovelight. Listen to the entire show, including the first Hard to Handle…
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March 13, 1981Utica Memorial AuditoriumUtica, New York

Schwa, Hey Now! I just felt the urge to reply to your post being that I must have just missed you on here. Friday the 13th indeed… appreciate the Eliot callout as well. I have been enjoying these ’81 shows quite a bit . Previously I had concentrated on Jerry Band through this time frame, which is scorching and worthy of discussion in its own right for sure.

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Video of the Day: 03-15-1990 – Complete Show

On Phil’s 50th birthday, the crowd chants “We want Phil” after Althea, bringing forth Tom Thumb’s Blues, the audience howling in approval after each line. The celebrations continue with some happy birthday tunings and an all-round stand-out show before the breakout of Revolution, one of Phil’s favorite tunes. Check out this crisp remastered video of the show.
photograph of Phil Lesh
Dead Family: Phil Lesh

A very happy birthday to Phil Lesh! Celebrate Phil’s many contributions to the Grateful Dead by reading our Lesh bio, replete with links to some of his finest shows.

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Dead of the Day: 03-14-1981 Hartford Civic Center Hartford, Connecticut

For our Dead of the Day we go back to 1981 once again, this time to the Hartford Civic Center. We were all set to go with the Camp Randall show from this date in 1971, but one listen to this Sugaree changed our minds. Jerry delivers the lyrics as if the person to whom they are directed is darting out – or perhaps just about to be dragged out – the door. Behind the words, the band plays at a furious pace and the jams reach a blistering intensity. From that tune onwards – and really with the Stranger opener too – the first set just fires with occasionally truly epic results like the intensely beautiful Peggy-O and the set-closing China> Rider. The second set rocks an Alabama Getaway…

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March 13, 1981Utica Memorial AuditoriumUtica, New York

And here we are on Friday the 13th of 2026. War in Iran, ICE in VT, Snow storm looming after 60 degree days. Who said April is the cruelest month? TS Eliot, pardon me if I do some revisions. Yet, thanks to GDOTD, all is not bleak. Love the work here. Much appreciated. Thank you!

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March 14, 1983Club FrontSan Rafael, California

On this day back in 1983, the Dead rehearsed Help> Slip> Franklin’s – not played as a suite since 1977 – and Brother Esau, which had yet to be played live. Listen to the entire practice jam session, including all the banter from the boys…
Video of the Day: 03-14-1990 – Complete Show

Brent is all on point throughout the night, and this remastered video gives us all the pleasure of taking in his fervid energy as he deals on the keys and adds his incredibly heartfelt vocals, especially on Never Trust A Woman. But the entire band is on fire here at the Cap Centre.
Dead of the Day: 03-13-1981 Utica Memorial Auditorium Utica, New York

Our Dead of the Day comes down to us from March 13, 1981 in Utica, New York. The show gets off to a hot start with a rocking Shakedown that sends the crowd into a frenzy. From there the first set just does not let up with nearly every song a show stopper. To our ears, the Rooster, Cassidy, and, especially, Music Never Stopped are the sweetest of the cream, though. In fact, the Music Never Stopped gets intense over the second half as Bobby, who is really on all night, sets a fast pace, almost forcing Jerry to blister through an endless series of achingly sharp jams. The second set opens with a fitting Cold Rain & Snow and includes a stellar Eyes amidst a really solid set…

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Man in tie-dye at a microphone
Dead Guest: Martin Fierro

On this day in 2008, we lost the great saxophonist Martin Fierro. Besides sitting in with the Dead throughout the fall 1973 East Coast tour, playing on Wake of the Flood, and adding his horn to Legion of Mary, Martin became an early member of Steve Kimock’s Zero, cementing his status in jam band history. Celebrate Fierro’s life by reading more about him and his time with the Dead while listening to his contributions on one of those fall ’73 shows…

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March 13, 1985Berkeley Community TheaterBerkeley, California

The energy builds as the first set unfolds, peaking with a fiery Minglewood Blues and Deal that features Matt Kelly on harmonica. The second is blissful magic from the get-go as the boys deliver a Music Never Stopped> Franklin’s Tower> Estimated Prophet> Spoonful before Drums and Ollin Arageed with Hamza El Din. Trust us, you are not going to want to miss that run.