06-06-1969
Fillmore West
San Francisco, California
Jerry is not in the mix until the Lovelight, and someone else takes over the lead guitar responsibilities in his stead. Addressing his absence at the end of the Smokestack opener, Phil reports that they are “sadly depleted” and jokes that “one guitar player is pretty much like another.” Despite missing Jerry’s sweet guitar, the Smokestack still rocks, not least of all because Pig is a boss on harp and vocals. The Green Grass of Home that follows is a little less sweet and precious than other versions, but Bobby’s singing still makes the song a treat. Another Bobby tune comes out next with Me and My Uncle, and the lead guitar is quite good on the relative standard. While it is unclear who the stand-in guitarist is – Elvin Bishop and Wayne Ceballos are the leading candidates – there is no doubt that its Ceballos taking over the lead vocal duties on Checking Up on My Baby. Then it’s back to Bobby for BIODTL before the master returns for a tumultuous, throw-down Lovelight. Clocking in at 47 minutes, this is possibly the longest version of Lovelight that the Dead ever played. Throughout, Pig rages and raps, and Jerry makes up for his absence, turning Bobby Blue Bland’s song, which Bland released as a 2:40 second studio recording, into a frothing monster.
Jerry’s abscence has led to rumors that this was the show where he was too high to play. However, as Lost Live Dead breaks down, it is more likely that Jerry, who was notoriously late for shows, was just tardy. And, on this night, Bill Graham had had enough, sending the band on with someone else in his stead. Lost Live Dead suggests that Wayne “The Harp” Ceballos of Aum is that guitarist, but others have flagged Elvin Bishop as the stand-in. As Lost Live makes clear in their analysis, it was probably two days later, on June 8th, that nearly the entire band was too dosed to play. Regardless, Bobby and Phil’s banter and the entire casual nature of the affair make clear just what laid-back community gatherings the Fillmore shows – like those at other venues around the Bay Area – were as late as summer 1969. The entire night – not least the Lovelight – is a joy to listen to and reflect on.
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