Throughout their history, the Dead played on nearly every single day of the year. There are only three or four exceptions, including August 9th. So, it is a strange coincidence that Jerry passed away on the date. I can still recall the day that Jerry passed, as I am sure all of you can as…

With only one show on this date in Dead history, it makes the pick that much easier. But it does not mean that our August 8, 1982 show is any less hot. The show starts of with a fiery Alabama Getaway> Promised Land opener, making it clear from the beginning that the boys were there to rock. A lovely They Love Each Other comes out next with Jerry providing some inimitable turns on the guitar. The rest of the set is outstanding as well. But the Peggy-O – ridiculously sweet and evocative – is a standout, as is the Samson that finishes off the first half in raging form. Coming out of the break, Brent lights up a Far From Me, which is pretty unbelievable no matter what your thoughts on Brent tunes. From there, a completely heady…

The 1982 show from this date is a stunner, one of the best the Dead ever played from any year, and a real gem that is not to be overlooked. The Dead break things open with The Music Never Stopped and craft an unusual transition into Sugaree. The Sugaree itself is high energy and beautifully lucid, but then the band segues back into The Music Never Stopped, playing around with the theme in magnificent fashion for several more minutes, making the whole thing something truly unique. Other first set highlights include a really superb C. C. Rider; Bobby just smokes through the tune and Jerry throws in some blistering runs as well, making for one of the best versions they ever put together. But really, there…