The Grateful Dead celebrated the 4th of July in style last night as they continued the Fare Thee Well 50th tour with a stunning performance in Chicago at Soldier Field. The Dead broke Soldier Field's all time attenndance record, passing U2, with over 70,000 fans! There is no better way to enjoy the birthday of America than a good ol Grateful Dead Concert. The festivities started early in the day as President Obama put out a letter thanking the Dead and recognizing them as true Americana Music. That is just what the Dead are, American Music. They are a melting pot of so many influences and generes that it is hard to really describe their combination of rock, jazz, blues, country, pshycadelic, etc. It is truly amazing, "They aren't the best at what they do, they are the only ones who do what they do"-Bill Graham!
The 4th of July Show was truly amazing and featured many Dead classics such as a funky "Shakedown Street" opener and the rocking "One More Saturday Night" to end the show. The boys also played off the 4th of July theme with "Liberty" (a song written late in the Deads history by Jerry Garcia), and the spectacular "US Blues" Encore. Ill get back to that in a minute (look at video in background). The show ended with an amazing display of fireworks around Soldier Field lighting up the night sky.
People in New York City were in for a suprise on the 4th if they looked at the Empire State Building. Half way across the country the Grateful Dead celebration was continuing. It was coordinated with NY City to have the Empire State Building display a patriotic light show in coordination to the Dead's US Blues. You can also see famous Dead symbols appear in the tower such as the iconic lighting bolt. What other band can gain control on the Empire State Building! What a great tribute to the Grateful Dead and the USA. The final Fare Thee Well Show is tonight July, 5th and it is going to be one of the greatest moments in American music history. I strongly encourage all music lovers to tune in to the show as the quality of the music is on another level.
Set 1
Shakedown Street bwLiberty bwStanding On The Moon taMe & My Uncle bwTennessee Jed bw bh taCumberland Blues allLittle Red Rooster bwFriend Of The Devil plDeal ta bh
Set 2
Bird Song plThe Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion ta bhLost Sailor bw >St. Of Circumstance bwWest L.A. Fadeaway bhFoolish Heart ta >Drums >Space >Stella Blue bwOne More Saturday Night bw
donor rap plE: U.S. Blues bwFireworks!
