Show Details


Soldier Field

Chicago, IL

USA

Grateful Dead

July 9, 1995

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Set List


  • Jerry Garcia guitar, vocals

  • Bob Weir
    guitar, vocals

  • Phil Lesh
    bass, vocals

  • Bill Kreutzmann
    drums

  • Mickey Hart
    drums

  • Vince Welnick
    keyboards, vocals

Additional Acts:
  • The Band

Show Facts

Jerry's final performance.



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8 Comments

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Charles Miskoff | Thursday, March 9th, 2023

I was there

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James Huycke | Thursday, January 11th, 2018

Somewhere along the way I heard a story that while Jerry was eating lunch in Chicago that day, he knocked out a couple of sketches. Not knowing at the time that these were drawn that day, I only bought one of the two lithographs (1174/1250) at an Other Ones Alpine show. It hangs alone in a sort of missing man formation.

The Band opened this show again, and again—despite the use of teleprompters—Jerry flubbed lyrics for nearly every song, including the opening Touch of Grey that did seem to beg the question of “I will survive.” Rooster had some decent key and slide work, but Jerry seemed to be dialing his part in from a very long distance. His single response to Bobby’s Masterpiece ending call almost sounded like a cry for help. Phil clearly showed signs of stepping up, but I must admit that although not exactly a Zoner, my soft spot for Phil couldn’t overcome my desire for Childhood’s End to reach its end. Even following the droning End, the typically upbeat Cumberland wasn’t all that uplifting. Bobby even blew lyrics to the Promised Land closer.

Not much was shakin’ with Shakedown, although there did seem to be at least a token effort at seeking redemption with the second set opener. Samson didn’t tear much down, or up for that matter, although it was the most energetic performance up to that point. Even though Roads was a bit of a tempo buzz kill, it did continue the quality improvement effort, with Garcia actually clocking in on some guitar leads, making only a minor vocal muff, and actually doing some coda improvisations that earned an audience reaction. Vinnie’s slot was sadly filled by another Samba, notably not on par with Pittsburgh. Garcia was late in picking up the bridge lead with a MIDI horn effect.

Overall, Jerry’s guitar work was about as dismal as his recall of the lyrics. He began with Rosebud that night, but switched to Tiger after some technical difficulties. I have a very clear memory of the fingers of his left hand shaking while attempting to hold a chord. Phil leaned forward and looked over his spectacles at him as if to say: “You gonna make it, man?” Garcia was reportedly plagued by several problems—including carpal tunnel syndrome—but basically he looked as if he was just plain tired.

The show, the tour and all came to an end with a very rare two song Black/Box encore. The very last lyrics to be sung were the Rain Box’s: “Such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there.”

Phil wrote that the band tarried to watch the Hendrix “Star Spangled Banner” fireworks which turned out to be the one and only time for Jerry.

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Sean Ransome | Friday, July 10th, 2015

I was in parking lots of last 3 at Deer Creek, last 2 and one show at Palace of Auburn Hills, and 3 at Soldier Field in 1995.

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William Kucinski | Thursday, July 9th, 2015

No Josh, that was a couple shows before at riverport amp.

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josh barton | Monday, June 29th, 2015

Didn’t a roof collapse and fall on someone at this one

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Stone Malone | Wednesday, July 9th, 2014

The worse Dead show ever….Jerry snapped out of it on So Many Roads! The rest of the show was Magic, He is the reason I’m alive today! When I seen the beauty in him and him music…I seen the beauty in me! Thanks for saving my life Jerry not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. You’re in my DNA, so as long as I walk the Earth you live…God Speed Poppa G!

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warren day | Friday, March 14th, 2014

I just happened to be in Chicago for the last 2 Grateful Dead shows, I was at both on 7/8 and 7/9. I remember it was the largest shakedown st. I ever saw, the vw microbuses and other Dead Caravan vehicles streched for miles it seemed. As soon as I figure out how to download photos, I will add them to my site, and I took alot of photos. I also remember that just at the end of the last show, someone puked on my back from behind me, and thus it was time to leave. So I left during the encore, not knowing it was the last time I would ever see Jerry again, after attending over 75 shows from 1971-1995.