46 years ago yesterday in 1977, the Grateful Dead embarked on their most epic show to date, drawing a crowd of over 102K to Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey.
I'm embarrassed to admit I think I was there, but I don't remember too much about it 'cause I does believe I was pretty fuckin' high.
Anyway, this show marked a new era of the Dead, where the fans would only grow in numbers and which remains the largest ticketed concert in the United States to date recorded by Billboard Boxscore. This was the largest crowd the band had drawn at that point in their career, solidifying '77 as one of their most prominent years. Even with the massive audience, the attendees were peaceful and passionate about the music.
For the record here, I not only hated the Dead, I hated everybody who liked 'em. Juss' sayin'...
Here's an interesting local article from a few years ago looking back on it:
https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/09/02/grateful-dead-fans-flocked-to-raceway-park/610173001/
https://www.app.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/09/02/grateful-dead-fans-flocked-to-raceway-park/610173001/
Quite possibly the most overrated band in history. Nothing but a mountain of noise.
ReplyDeleteSaw them once in 1971 - in San Francisco- one of the worst live bands I ever saw
ReplyDeleteMy assessment too.
ReplyDeleteGive the Dead’s version of “Second That Emotion” a listen and then continue to tell me how shitty they are. Their was musicianship was in a league all by itself
ReplyDeleteFunny thing....I never cared for these guys until "A Touch of Grey"....1987 was a pivotal year for me, one that saw the end of my marriage that produced 3 children after 17 years, and was the beginning of the best time of my life as a free, mature male....the 4 years that ended in '91 were the most fun I ever had and I wish nothing less than that on everybody....don't get me wrong, the experiences with my children cannot ever be replaced, and I will always cherish them, but this was strictly "me" time, a time that every adult should experience before the curtain comes down....selfish?...perhaps....but what the fuck....
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