For whatever reason, the Dead did not play too many shows on 4/20. But there is a little gem from the Philadelphia Civic Center in 1984 that serves as our Dead of the Day. The first set opens with a Stranger that features a ripping Brent and Jerry led jam. Cold Rain and Snow slips out next, keeping pace with some awesome riffs. Cumberland is hot with a smoking Rooster right on its heels that has some great Bobby action on both guitar and vocals. It is clear by this time – if not in the midst of the Stranger – that the boys are feeling each other and the music perfectly. But the real highlight of the first set is waiting at the end in the form of an otherworldly Let It Grow…

Our Dead of the Day takes us to Baltimore for an epic end to the spring ’82 East Coast tour. The Dead open with a tight Jacks Straw, and the first set keeps delivering from there. The They Love Each Other is one of the sweetest versions, with a nice, long early Brent solo. Then, in the middle of the set, the boys set off on a rapturous Peggy-O, follow up with a lovely Cassidy, and then a wonderful It Must Have Been the Roses, keeping the same intense, lilting aura throughout each while they jam off on different trajectories. The Rooster and Cumberland are both also really hot, but the first set is really defined by those three middle tunes. Stranger starts…

From an over-packed little gym in Upstate New York back in 1971, we get our Dead of the Day. The show opens with a steamy Cold Rain and Snow, and in the early going of that tune Phil bombs out the bass while Billy delivers some crisp cymbals, all before Jerry’s dark and misty voice comes in. And then the the boys go off for rest of the tune in melodious and haunting fashion.  A few songs later, in the midst of a solid set, Me and Bobby McGee provides another super sweet spot as Jerry’s guitar pierces what must have been a small little venue and Bobby’s loping, yearning vocals cause goosebumps to rise. Nearing the end of the set, the band turns to a China> Rider, sending…