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Grateful Dead

Featured Film

Live in Foxboro, MA 7/2/1989

In the midst of a creative resurgence, the Grateful Dead kicks off its 1989 summer tour with an outstanding show filled with dynamic renditions of favorites, deep cuts and covers. This professionally shot film captures the complete performance and provides invaluable insight into the band’s onstage communication.

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Films

Live at Giants Stadium 6/17/91
Live at Giants Stadium 6/17/91

Stories

Timeline

Having a High Time: A Grateful Dead Timeline, July 1986 - March 1992

Following an uneventful period, the Grateful Dead’s world began to radically change in the mid-‘80s. Here’s a look at the key events and developments that sparked a creative and commercial resurgence — and marked the end of one era and the beginning of another. 

Story

Nothin’ Left to Do But Smile, Smile, Smile

Brent Mydland isn’t merely serenading a stadium packed with 60,000-plus people when he begins to sing “Dear Mr. Fantasy” on July 2, 1989 in Foxboro, MA. The Grateful Dead keyboardist is in the process of turning the Traffic staple — a collective plea to a musician to break an overriding gloom by playing an upbeat tune that puts everyone in a good mood — into a resonant biographical statement. In the song, communal happiness comes at a simple albeit exacting cost, spelled out in the lyrics: Laughter for many in exchange for the tears of one, namely, the performer. Mydland knows the deal all too well. So does guitarist-vocalist Jerry Garcia.

1 Min Read | Bob Gendron
Story

The ‘New Guy’ Emerges from the Shadows

By 1989, the only way for the Grateful Dead to get to Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, MA , which was deservedly notorious for its massive traffic jams, was by helicopter. From the sky it seemed as though there were Deadheads packed tight for miles in every direction. It was borderline spooky, part and parcel of the post-“In the Dark” GD, where we counted any show that wasn’t a disaster as a victory. And the astonishing reach of the crowd, as far as the eye could see, was even more impressive considering that this flight was quite early, so that Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir could film something with the opening act, our friends Los Lobos. 

1 Min Read | Dennis McNally

Collection

Enjoying the Ride

The Grateful Dead surges in the late ‘80s
Explore Collection

Enjoying the Ride

The Grateful Dead surges in the late ‘80s
Explore Collection
Story
Nothin’ Left to Do But Smile, Smile, Smile
Story
The ‘New Guy’ Emerges from the Shadows
Film
Dennis McNally: The Coda Collection Interview, Part One
Timeline
Having a High Time: A Grateful Dead Timeline, July 1986 - March 1992

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