I remember this being the first time the boys were allowed back at Nassau in a few years after some apparent trouble being associated with the band after some previous runs in the 80s. Mail order was limited to Long Island, NYC and certain zip codes in the surrounding areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. For once, this Philadelphia area dead head got real lucky as I had a sister living in Elizabeth, NJ at the time and I was able to use her address for the tickets. My tour partner and I scored a pair for this show and the following show on the 30th.

It was an added bonus that we had a sweet seat for this one. Center Ice, first level, Phil side. Frankly, the 1st set was pretty average up ’til the golden moment. Bobby stumbled over Branford’s name when introducing him after Masterpiece but I did catch the last name and figured it must be the brother of the more famous, at that time, Winton.

Well, the show took an amazing rocket ride from that point forward. The Bird Song was long, moody and very high energy with Jerry and Branford exploring musical terrain, trading instrumental leads and getting downright hairy with one another. As the band broke after Promise Land, I remember turning to my buddy and saying, ” Wow, if that dude comes back for the second set I think we’re really in for something “.

Well, dude came back for second set and you don’t need a blow by blow account from me to know that the rest is history. Just throw the disc on and be amazed. A mind boggling beautiful Eyes with beautiful textures laid over it by the sweet sax of Branford. The gnarly Estimated was truly one of the all time greats with a beautiful, Phil dominated jam coming out of it to lead into an apex reaching Dark Star. The post Space mix showed us no mercy with the highlight for me being the thunderously rocking Lovelight with Bobby and Brandford reaching amazing heights.

I don’t believe I ever saw Garcia as happy as he appeared to be on this night as the smile on his face throughout the show made it clear that he understood what the other 20,000 people in the building had come to realize; what was happening here was something special. As the house lights came on after the encore, 20,000, in unison, let out an incredibly loud, appreciative cheer. As we exited, I took delight in seeing the look of bewilderment on so many faces as if they were asking, ” Did that really just happen? ”

Happen it did. I can’t, to this day, believe my good fortune in being able to participate in such an amazing moment in Grateful Dead history. Bill Graham was fond of reminding us that ” They’re not the best at what they do, they’re the only ones who do what they do. ” It’s memories like this that simply lead me to say, God Bless The Good Old Grateful Dead. Thanks boys!