Built in 1949, the Swing Auditorium had a maximum capacity of around 10,000, but it probably sold out at only around 6000 for this Dead show. The venue’s ascent into rock and roll fame began in 1962 when a man named Bob Lewis started promoting concerts there. In the ensuing decades, Lewis brought all the legends into the Swing, including Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and, of course, the Grateful Dead. But what really solidified the Swing’s place amongst the hallowed venues was the American debut of the Rolling Stones there in 1964. With a mere ten-song set, the Stones stoked the hall into a fervor. The band had to drop their instruments and run for the exits before the crowd rushed the stage. For their part, the Dead played the Swing only four times before it was razed after a small plane crashed into the building on September 11, 1981.

We usually put soundboards in the player on these posts. However, in this case we made an audience tape available. The sound is still quite crisp, and the crowd is so incredibly enthusiastic, which, no doubt, is warranted. They roar at the beginning of every tune and hoot and holler afterwards. In fact, we were surprised to hear what could only be considered rousing approval when Donna started to shriek on Playin’; different strokes for different folks, I guess. As you will hear, the audience tape gives you something of the flavor of actually being at the Swing Auditorium, taking in the Dead on this first night of such an epic year for the band…and their fans.