Friday, April 3, 1987

My brother and I were too young to drive to see this show, and so our parents, amazingly enough, drove for 45 minutes, dropped us off at the Centrum, and with a kiss goodbye, left us to experience our first grateful dead show. We hadn't seen anything remotely like it before -- people twirling in the hallways of the arena, the smell of weed wafting in the halls, calls for "gooney birds" and kind people handing out "fresh baked without air" and other assorted stickers. We were hooked.

The spring of 1987 was a very special and grateful time for all involved in the love affair with the GD. Jerry was back and back in a big way. His stage presence and energy in many ways would never be as strong and present as it was on this tour. He loved being back and his playing, along with the band, exemplifies it magnificently. No there is no long jams this tour instead you get classic 1980's Garcia powering through songs with gusto and the band hanging on for dear life.