dead 50 in Chicago

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by satan's twin

It started in Cincinnati in 1972. Down one night from school, we came looking for tickets along the riverfront in a city park not far from the venue. There in a sea of Deadheads hours before the show was the mesmerizing source of the ticket I needed. She was almost impossible to take my eyes off of. It was hard to put my finger on what it was that made her so captivating. Her eyes? Her hair? The fact that she was so whacked out of her skull on acid that she needed the tree she was leaning on to stay upright? No matter, she had the ticket I wanted and at the bargain basement steal of $3, I was quick to make the purchase. After handing her a five, the girl had a hell of a time finding the $2 change. For the life of her she couldn't find two dollars to save her soul. Not in her purse, not in her shirt pocket and certainly not in her back pants pocket. I knew that wasn't going to happen. She didn't have any pockets. She was buck naked.

As with most GD shows, the weird and the strange were always close by. Last night was no different. On the way to Soldier Field through Grant Park were venders who were damn near stampeded as they barely kept up with the demand for the $20 balloons filled with nitrous oxide which they were peddling. Back in the day, the Deadheads who followed the band from city to city could scrounge up a free grilled cheese sandwich for...........well...... for free. This weekend, the same weary Deadhead traveler could muster up a bite-size snack of two shrimp and lobster tacos with cilantro, onions and lettuce with gluten-free shells, near the Club Level seating, for only $28.

From that first show 43 years ago to the final one last night with God knows how many in between, the performances, the crowds, the atmosphere and the energy will always be remembered. Everyone has their favorite band. This one was mine. This following started with college friends in Ohio four decades ago. It ended with on a spectacular summer night on the Chicago lakefront with family and friends listening to an equally spectacular concert. Couldn't script a better ending.

Fare thee well, old friends. Fare thee well.