This was a show that has become a legend. The last show to be performed at a given venue is certainly of note in and of itself, but it was the timing of the start of the second set that accords this event a place in live concert history. A number of people have described this particular performance as one of the brighter moments on what was by nearly all accounts, a descent into darkness.

It was a very hot and humid afternoon. I have a clear memory of the bike getting hot enough crawling through the city in a search for parking that the fan was kicking in. At one point, after attempting to restart a number of times, I began to worry that there was something seriously wrong until we eventually discovered that the kill switch had been set to “off” by some numbskull.

The weather had been questionable all along that day, so Ivan and I had brought the rain gear from the bikes in with us to the show. It was looking so ominous over set break that we donned the rain suits, despite disapproving glances from several bystanders. I guess it’s easy to think that you should have a rock ‘n’ roll attitude tough enough to withstand the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune at an outdoor show when you know that you’re going to get into a vehicle with a roof and a heater soon afterward. Hypothermia is very possible on a two-wheeled conveyance, even on a summer’s night.

Regardless, we were ready for the worst. It seemed to be a longer than normal break, and by nearly all accounts, even those unencumbered by consciousness enhancement, the band was on stage for an unusually long time with the lights out waiting to begin the second set. Bobby approached and backed off the mic a number of times.

There are stories about how it came to happen, whether by electromechanical contrivance and closely coordinated communication, by spiritual manifestation, or by sheer dumb luck, but I kid you not, the very second that the a cappella “rain” was sung to start the Beatle’s “Rain Song” the skies opened up. There was a second of stunned shock and awe, and then a tremendous roar from the crowd louder than any thunder that night.

It rained all through that tune, then through Box of Rain, Samba in the Rain (one of the best I must agree), and into Looks Like Rain. In retrospect, Terrapin, Miracle and SOTM (again?!) all seemed to deepen the dark foreshadowing.