03-23-1975
Kezar Stadium
San Francisco, California
In the midst of their hiatus, the Dead took to the stage for the first time since the “last” Dead show on October 20, 1974. Despite their farewell, the band had been spending a lot of time in the studio in early 1975, working on Blues for Allah. In fact, they had been working on some of the jams they break out here just a few days prior. The event that got the Dead to return to the stage was a SNACK – Students Need Athletics, Culture, and Kicks – benefit. The Doobie Brothers, Graham Central Station, Mimi Farina, Jefferson Starship, Joan Baez, Santana, the Tower of Power, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young all played at the benefit. The Dead were joined by Merl Saunders and Ned Lagin during their set, and Donna did not play with the band.
As you can see from the setlist, the show was one long, intense, sparkle-encrusted jam, which reached out into the netherworld. The Dead debuted both Blues for Allah and Stronger than Dirt in the most epic way imaginable. And then the Johnny B. Goode encore completely eviscerates the song in four minutes of pure splendor.
Guests at this show:
Podcast about this show:
- Heads’ Tales – S1 E6 In the Shadow of the Sphinx: Don Defenderfer – Back in ’75, the Dead played their first show together during the hiatus, and our guest, Don Defenderfer, was there to experience it in all its glory. Listen to his tale…
Today’s Dead of the Day:
Other March 23rd Shows and Recordings:
- 1972 – Academy of Music – New York, New York
- 1974 – Cow Palace – Daly City, California
- 1981 – Rainbow Theater – London, England
- 1986 – The Spectrum – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 1987 – Hampton Coliseum – Hampton, Virginia
- 1991 – Knickerbocker Arena – Albany, New York
- 1992 – The Palace – Auburn Hills, Michigan
- 1994 – Nassau Coliseum – Uniondale, New York
- 1995 – Charlotte Coliseum – Charlotte, North Carolina
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