Listening to Brent on this night makes one realize just how much he contributed to the band’s sound and how he had the power to dominate a show from time to time. Throughout the spring 1990 tour, he played exceptionally well and scorched songs like he did to the Blow Away at this show. Sadly, he would not be around for much longer, dying of a speedball overdose on July 26, 1990, shortly after the end of summer tour. During his final show with the band, on July 23, 1990 at the World Music Theater in Tinley Park, Illinois, the last lyric he sang was from The Weight: “I gotta go, but my friends can stick around.” Brent was with the Dead longer than any other keyboardist, for eleven years. He quickly found his place in the music and continued to get more comfortable throughout his tenure. This was true both on and off the stage, as he also had a number of songwriting credits, often working with Weir and Barlow. But it was his sweet key fills, wonderful ability to engage and push Jerry during jams, and awesome vocals that were missed the most after his passing.

A bit of this night makes it onto the Dozin’ at the Knick release. And they also released the entire show, along with five others from the stupendous tour, as a box set, Spring 1990. Unfortunately, the box set was a limited release, so used copies are hard to find and really expensive. But there was some great stuff added to the release, including a 60-page book with write-ups by Blair Jackson, David Lemieux, and Dennis McNally. Like the Dead’s other box sets, it really is a thing of beauty.