Wharf Rat Stu

15, 16, 17 Dec 1986 Oakland Coliseum The Grateful Dead's first show(s) following Jerry's diabetic coma in July 86. I attended these three shows, there was a big question mark in the parking lot as to what song they'd open with. I guessed US Bluz (Gimme five, I am still alive!). But the boys chose Touch of Gray. When Jerry sang out I Will Get By, I Will Survive! That was pure magic that still gives me goosebumps as I listen to that set and write this today! https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/jerry-garcia-grateful-dead-12-15-1986/

Picasso AND Victim on the same show? Ouch!

Umm yea, Scarlet>Fire

Somewhat of a late bloomer to the Dead scene. I have been to sooo many concerts but I did not know anyone into GD so no one nurtured me; until I got a factory job in Syracuse, NY. I worked with several DeadHeads and I told them the same ol line, Truckin' (studio) is alright but I don't see why people go see The Dead so many times, until they took me to lunch one day. They put in a bootleg (of who knows which show) but then I quickly began to see what they have known for years! From then on, it was like drinking water out of a fire hydrant! I could not get enough. Then I got tickets to my first shows (City Island, PA, 6/23/84 and SPAC, 6/24/84) but on the 21st, an FM Station broadcasted Kingswood Theatre, Canada and I recorded it and it is THAT show I credit for all the craziness that followed. That is where, when, and how I got on the bus. Pooh, Epoxy, Mike, Jimmy, Hank; you know who you are, thank you...for a real good time! PLEASE get with me!

Freebird! Not really, but somebody had to say it... Jerry: Shine On You Crazy Diamond and / or Wish You Were Here Phil: Midnight Special (CCR) Bobby: Dance, Dance, Dance (Steve Miller) Mickey: Lola (The Kinks) Brent: Nearly anything from Bob Seger, like "Old Time Rock & Roll" Donna: I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James (or Beth Hart)) Keith: Slow Dancer (Boz Scaggs) (Check out Keith and Donna on You Tube from 10/04/75, Keith actually sings quite a bit)

I am not so much a "starting off in full gear" kind of guy. I like the more mellow approach, something that will allow us to kind of get our bodies stretched out and ready for a night of bone shaking! My fav opener is Mississippi Half-Step. Nothing to outrageous, I can figure out my groove and get primed for whatever lays ahead. Now for a Set II Opener, yea slap me upside the head with the opening note of a thunderous BAMM of Shakedown or a mental orgasmic Help>Slip>Frank!!!

We all seen this Charlie Brown and Lucy gig before. Ol Chuck (Georgia) thinks he will finally kick that football (beat 'Bama) only to have Lucy (Bama) pull it away for a disappointment of biblical proportions! I was quick to bring up how Bama got a Playoff bid 5 yrs ago even though they did not represent the SEC in the Conference Championship Game, Bama did not "earn" an invite. I will apply that same thought process here, after seeing Georgia get pummeled by Bama again, they have not "earned" an invite. Michigan will be no gimme for them Dawgs but as much as I would hate to see it, Georgia needs to earn the right to be in this Championship Game and I think they really need to go through Bama to earn that right... I love SEC Football, but is a possible all SEC Championship Game the best thing for College football?

I have seen a few D&Co Shows but this last show in Atlanta? Let's just say I was fine that they did not have time for an encore, it was boring and NOBODY was dancing / shaking their bones. The set list was good, the songs were actually played well, but the show lacked energy. Hanging with my Dead Friends and the intermission Wharf Rat was surely my highlights. Um, D&Co has run its course! It was a great gig but now I'd be fine with Mayer doing his own thing and Bobby can still do his small theatre gigs... Give me more DSO!!!

It has already been proven that Conference Games are nothing but irrelevant Cash Grabs! Going back to the 2016 season, Georgia and Auburn played in the SEC Conference Game. Both Auburn and Georgia beat Alabama during the regular season (remember the "Kick Six"). But given that, Alabama, who did not even represent their conference, was still selected to the Championship series! I agree that Bama was the best team in college football that season, but hey, on any given Saturday right? If you don't even represent your conference championship game, how do you leap frog into the NCAA Championship??? Yeah that still chaps my hyde, and any day Nick Satan cries and loses, that is a good day!

Oh no, Do not go to the Omni, go to the Coca-Cola Roxy!!! Well, that is where 1,500 of your friends will be...

Technically this was not a "tease" but I need help in identifying what show this occurred. I had a tape of a show, I am guessing '78 or '79, and they started Estimated but the entire first verse was an instrumental right up to the chorus when Bob sang out "California!". Then after singing the entire chorus, Bob bought it to the top and sang "My time coming, any day..." it was mind-blowing! Of course I no longer have my tapes and I have never been able to locate that particular show and I am beginning to wonder if it's all a dream I dreamed one afternoon long ago? Has anyone else heard this? What show is it?????

Billy D., your reply was hilarious. Although the more I think about it, it is less humorous because of what some businesses are requiring of their customer-base. I know I will be shakin' my bones up front for DSO this weekend, although I hate to miss out on "Rivalry Weekend". But being a Syracuse fan, I guess it doesn't matter anyway!

Last time I seen Butchy and Splintered Sunlight was in 1996! They were amazing then and really bumped up their game even more! Listen to this Morning Dew! See this band if ever in the Philly area; and Only Footprints is an excellent Acoustic cover band around Jersey (if they are still around).

RR22!

The Weather Report Suite was amazing, The Stranger was the perfect song to end the night. Let Lisa Sing I say!!!

So I borrowed and updated Bobs "Let Trey Sing" T-Shirt idea for my DSO Columbia Speedway Show. I have always been a huge Lisa Fan (and Donna too) so I had a "Let Lisa Sing" t-shirt custom made. Fortunately for me, our "Pod" was next to the sound board and the soundman (Conners?) seen my shirt and took a photo and said he would forward it to Lisa. I told him to let her know I want a photo with her, this was 30 min prior to show starting. So 7:PM come around and no photo op so I got as close to the stage as I dared until Lisa seen my shirt. She smiled and waved in appreciation so happy with that, I returned to our assigned POD. Now fast forward to intermission and my friends and I were sitting and talking then behind me I hear someone say "alright lets do this". When I turned around imagine my surprise to see Lisa standing there! I jumped to my feet and my friend Scarlett quickly grabbed her cell phone and I got my photo with Lisa! Yes Lisa did sing her usual backing vocals as it was an elective set then for the encore she belted out The Stranger! Wow!!! Lisa, thank you for making my night! You (and all the fellas in the band) are just awesome every time!