Bobby Weir: Listen to The Thunder Shout 🔊 Bob leads us through the first-ever “Samson & Delilah” from the band’s first night back on the road after the break in fall of ’74. The “Space>Other One” from April Fool’s Day ’85 is a tour de force before falling into a percussive “Let It Grow” from the Oakland Auditorium from the penultimate Betty Board ever recorded on 12/30/79. A zydeco-like “Corrina” featuring Bruce Hornsby on accordion bounces us down to The Omni in Atlanta on the Spring 92 tour then we’re back in 1985 at the Berkeley Community Theatre for a “Smokestack Lightnin’” that devolves into a “Mind Left Body Jam.” Next up is a high-paced “Playing in the Band” with Keith on the Rhodes and an absent Donna. We hit The Spectrum in the fall of 1987 for a hot “Good Lovin’” complete with Jerry singing “La Bamba” in the middle. A beautiful “Sailor>Saint” follows with a lovely jam at the end. We end up back at the BCT for “Johnny B. Goode” and a gentle “Bid You Goodnight.” Listen to the complete playlist on Play Dead 🎧 #BobbyWeir #GratefulDead #GDVault

Bobby Birthday Drop 🎂 Now streaming are two sets of acoustic Grateful Dead from the Warfield on October 4th and 6th, 1980. This Record Store Day release highlighted a celebration of the band's 15th anniversary, blending older cuts from the Dead's extensive repertoire, including classics like "Bird Song," "Cassidy," and "Dire Wolf." Listen now in Hi-Res, and exclusively in the Play Dead app 🎧 live.gd/1980-10-04 #PlayDead #GratefulDead #GDVault

The final night at the Spectrum, and this one is a show from heaven. Three nights, one incredible crowd, and the band has saved something special for the finale. Don't miss a single note of the run closer, now streaming on Play Dead 🌹 Listen Here: live.gd/1985-04-08 Curated By: David Lemieux Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta In the Midnight Hour explodes into existence. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this version in 1992. We listened to it for days. It's still my favorite Midnight Hour of all time. Walkin' the Dog and Big Boss Man follow before Me & My Uncle > Cumberland Blues brings down the house. Down in the Bottom > I Ain't Superstitious digs into the blues before Jerry delivers a solid Althea. Brent's Tons of Steel follows, then a rare Supplication jam into Might As Well closes a smoking first set. Revolution opens the second before Bucket > Touch of Grey takes everyone deep into the Dark. Estimated > Eyes is bursting with energy, and the Rhythm Devils take it from there. Out of Space, GDTRFB gets everybody moving before Jerry delivers a gorgeous Stella Blue. Around & Around > Lovelight brings the vide to another level. And then Brokedown Palace. Three incredible nights at the Spectrum. What a way to say goodbye. Enjoy! Martin Knott #PlayDead #GratefulDead #GDVault

Night two at the Spectrum, and the Philly faithful are ready for Phil to sing! Listen Here: live.gd/1985-04-06 Curated By: David Lemieux Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta "Why Don't We Do It in the Road gets things moving from zero to sixty in under five minutes. Jerry follows with a Mississippi Half-Step that's loaded with character, and C.C. Rider keeps the blues flowing. A mid-set Bird Song is always a good sign, especially when Dancin' in the Streets follows. A rocking Deal closes an out-of-control first set. And they're just getting started. It's Sunday night, and Shakedown Street opens the second with the band poking around, finding that Philly heartbeat. The Sunday sermon arrives with Samson & Delilah before Jerry delivers the third-ever She Belongs to Me, a Dylan masterpiece. Women Are Smarter keeps the party moving before the Rhythm Devils take over. Out of Space, Gimme Some Lovin' reengages the crowd before Truckin' > Smokestack Lightning takes things deeper into the blues. Then comes Morning Dew. Jerry leans in, the band builds, and the entire Spectrum seems to hang on every note. This is one of those performances that takes everybody to their happy place. Only Sugar Magnolia could follow that. Day Job closes another spectacular night. Two down. One to go. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #PlayDead #GratefulDead #GDVault – at Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Spectrum, one of the great East Coast rooms, where the faithful bring enough energy to launch this three-night run into orbit. Taking a deeper look into night one, streaming in Hi-Res for the first time only on Play Dead ⚡️ Listen Here: live.gd/1985-04-06 Curated By: David Lemieux Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta Feel Like a Stranger gets things rolling, and Brent has the B3 warmed up for They Love Each Other and Minglewood. Jerry belts out a terrific Dupree's Diamond Blues before Mama Tried > Big River flows into a rocking Big Railroad Blues. Don't miss this Looks Like Rain—Bobby is giving it everything. Don't Ease Me In closes the first set, and there's no easing anybody anywhere tonight. China Cat > I Know You Rider opens the second, and the transition is simply delightful. Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band takes the Spectrum for a long ride before the Rhythm Devils take over. Out of the darkness comes a powerful The Other One, with Phil dropping bombs and Jerry digging in. Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away brings the whole building together, and you can feel the love flowing between the band and the Philly crowd. One More Saturday Night provides the perfect encore. Night one is in the books, and the band has achieved liftoff. Two more nights to go. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #PlayDead #GratefulDead #GDVault – at Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday Dead Drops brings us three nights at the Spectrum during Spring Tour 1985, and the Philly faithful are bringing everything they've got. Curated by David Lemieux and mastered by David Glasser, enjoy the latest official releases to hit the app in Hi-Res 💀 playdead.app "April 6 launches with Stranger, Dupree's, and a beautiful Looks Like Rain. The second delivers China > Rider > Playing > Uncle John's, followed by The Other One > Throwing Stones > NFA. Liftoff! April 7 brings Phil singing Why Don't We Do It in the Road, a mid-set Bird Song, and Dancin'. Then Shakedown > Samson, the rare She Belongs to Me, and Truckin' > Smokestack lead to an absolutely magnificent Morning Dew. April 8 is the Triple Crown winner! My all-time favorite Midnight Hour opens, followed by Walkin' the Dog, Big Boss Man, and a rare Supplication jam. Revolution > Bucket > Touch opens the second before Estimated > Eyes, Stella Blue, and Lovelight. Brokedown Palace closes this incredible run. Three nights. Three burners. One extraordinary Spring Tour. 1985—anything can happen! Enjoy" - Martin Knott #PlayDead #GratefulDead #GDVault – at Philadelphia, PA

September brought in ten new Dead Drops releases to Play Dead, streaming in Hi-Res for the first time exclusively in the App. Listen to the entire batch at playdead.app 💀 David Lemieux curated ten shows from the first half of 1985 that went coast to coast, starting with five Bay Area shows in February and March, then heading across the country for shows at the Mothership and New England. Sign up and start streaming now, and keep an eye out for weekly releases every Tuesday!

More Primal Dead just dropped ⚡️ Now available in Hi-Res is the final Download Series release, featuring the full show from 4/17/69 at Washington University Quad, in St. Louis 🎧 live.gd/1969-04-17 "Drawing on much of the material performed at the Fillmore West shows and included on "Live/Dead," the band threw in some major surprises on this evening. Starting with a slide guitar-driven "Hard To Handle" followed by "Morning Dew" and "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl," the band then heads into another classic, inspired early-1969 jam. Beginning with a "Dark Star" that rivals the best versions performed at this time, they then head into "St. Stephen." It's here that the show breaks with expectations, and in the middle of the song, Jerry leads the band through a rare "I Know It's A Sin," followed by the final verse and jam of "St. Stephen." Then comes the "William Tell" bridge, but rather than heading into "The Eleven," as was standard after "William Tell," they end their jam with a massive "Lovelight." Returning for an encore, the band performs one of the most powerful "That's It For The Other One" suites ever played, segueing into "Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)," which was rudely cut short by The Man. To cap off this stellar release, we have included a couple of songs from the January 23, 1969 rehearsal at the Avalon Ballroom recorded prior to the three night 1/24-26/69 run. Included is a version of "The Eleven" as strong as any live performance of the song, and the earliest recorded version off "Dupree's Diamond Blues." #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead – at St Louis, MO

A couple hundred miles south on I-95 and we’re in Providence, a city that needs no introduction to the @GratefulDead. Put the band inside the Civic Center and you’ve got an immediate party. Listen Here: live.gd/1985-04-03 Curated By: David Lemieux Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta "Bucket > Sugaree starts the fire, with Jerry leaning into Sugaree and taking it to another level. Bobby heads west with Me & My Uncle > Mexicali, followed by Ramble On Rose with Mojo Hand and Jack the Ripper paying visits before they head Down in the Bottom > I Ain’t Superstitious. Jerry settles into Row Jimmy, loving every minute of it, before an extended Let It Grow brings the house down. And they’re just getting started. Terrapin Station opens the second set. I repeat—Terrapin opens the second set! A lengthy Women Are Smarter keeps things moving before Ship of Fools lets everyone drift. Then it’s Truckin’ > Spoonful, and the Rhythm Devils take it from there. Space gets especially out there before landing gently on Wharf Rat. Everyone’s flying away before the kids they dance and shake their bones through Throwing Stones, and Bobby sends the Civic Center over the edge with Sugar Magnolia. Day Job keeps the party going. Spring Tour ’85—about as free as you can get. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead

It’s April Fools’ Day in Maine, and the final night at the Cumberland County Civic Center might just be the best of the run. Listen Here: live.gd/1985-04-01 Curated By: David Lemieux Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta "Bertha > Greatest Story grabs the momentum from the night before, and we’re off to the races. West L.A. comes through like liquid and gets the Rooster fired up. A mid-set Bird Song soars before Phil steps forward and knocks Tom Thumb’s Blues out of the park. Bobby pours everything into a beautifully placed first-set Looks Like Rain, and Might As Well—because they’ve never had such a good time—closes it down. China Cat > Rider opens the second with a smoking transition. Then comes Estimated > Eyes, and the transition is spectacular, with Bobby torching Estimated before Jerry takes flight with Eyes. The Rhythm Devils take over, and Space creates a long on-ramp into The Other One. Phil finally drops the bombs and we’re gone. Jerry dusts off those rusty strings for a gorgeous Stella Blue before Around & Around > Not Fade Away brings everyone back to their feet. Then Jerry ends the night and the run with Baby Blue. The love pours out of the building and into the streets of Cumberland County. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead – at Portland, ME

Ride, ride, ride, at least I’m enjoying the ride! Two more shows from the Spring of '85 are now available ⚡️ Stream the official Hi-Res masters exclusively on Play Dead, or unlock the vault at playdead.app "Tuesday Dead Drops starts with 4/1/85, an April Fools’ finale in Maine. Bertha > Greatest Story starts things off before a liquid West L.A. Bird Song, Phil’s Tom Thumb’s and Looks Like Rain highlight an amazing first set. Then it’s China > Rider > Estimated > Eyes. After another wild 1985 Drums > Space, a long runway finally explodes into The Other One. Jerry delivers a beautiful Stella Blue, and NFA > Baby Blue sends the love flowing into the Cumberland County streets. Two days later we’re down I-95 in Providence. Bucket > Sugaree starts the party before Let It Grow closes a smoking first set. Then—Terrapin opens the second! Women Are Smarter > Ship of Fools leads into a Truckin’ > Spoonful > Drums > Space. Wharf Rat > Throwing Stones > Sugar Magnolia brings down the house. Maine to Providence. Spring Tour 1985 is flitting around the Northeast, and our band beyond description is about as free as it gets. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead

Out today on Play Dead: Dave's Picks Vol. 59 🐻 Stream the official release from 9/26/91 at Boston Garden now, in Hi-Res, and only on Play Dead 🎧➡️ live.gd/1991-09-26 The “new” Grateful Dead sound, now a year old, was powerful, with the two-keyboard iteration of the Dead pushing the music to fresh heights. Add to that the two new vocalists bringing the harmonies to soaring new places, and you’ve got one of the most exciting and inspired versions of the band. Setlists don’t usually indicate much about performance quality, but when the band’s song choices include “Dark Star,” “Attics Of My Life,” and “We Bid You Goodnight,” there’s a high likelihood that the band was feeling great, inspired, and confident, the things that usually lead to spectacular performances. On 9/26/91, this was certainly true, and on an outstanding night like this one, you can hear what a blast they were having, start to finish. - David Lemieux 9/26/91 was recorded by Dan Healy, and mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman. #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead

Next stop, Maine—Deadhead central—and about 9,500 faithfuls are packed into the Cumberland County Civic Center for another night that gets knocked out of the park. Stream our first Dead Drops release from The Pine Tree State now 🌲 Listen Here: live.gd/1985-03-31 Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta "A Music Never Stopped opener in 1985 is a sign—a good sign. Our band beyond description, has arrived with some serious energy. Candyman follows, and Jerry brought his filigrees and a shotgun to the party. C.C. Rider is a nice ride, and this Loser is not to be missed. A nine-beat BIODTL brings forth Dupree’s, that jelly roll driving everyone mad. It’s All Over Now stretches out, especially Brent with the B3 blazing, before Don’t Ease closes the set. Iko Iko > Samson launches the second and the Sunday sermon is on. He’s Gone—and nothing’s gonna bring him back—before Miracle > China Doll opens into a masterpiece of a jam. After Drums > Space > The Wheel, things get wonderfully weird: Playing Reprise > Playing in the Band. You can hear them inventing it in real time. Only 1985. Day Tripper ends the set before U.S. Blues sends Maine into the night celebrating another beautiful stop along this AMAZING Spring Tour. Gotta love it. Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead

Spring Tour 1985 continues, and we’re finishing this two-night Springfield run with a smashing success. Enjoy the show anytime in Hi-Res only on Play Dead ⚡️ Listen Here: live.gd/1985-03-25 Recorded By: Dan Healy Tape Transfer By: David Glasser Mastered By: David Glasser Master Sample Rate: 24-bit/96 kHz Source Media: TDK F1 Digi Beta "Once more point of pride, Jack Straw gets us rolling before Sugaree follows and Jerry takes it for a long walk. The Rooster is crowing before a mid-set Bird Song gives the band another chance to stretch out. It’s All Over Now has everybody taking turns, with Brent’s Leslie warmed up and swirling. A beautiful It Must Have Been the Roses takes the cake before an energetic Let It Grow closes the first set. Then comes the first Help > Slip > Franklin’s of 1985—one of only two before the combination disappears again. Estimated > Eyes is next, with Bobby and Jerry delivering the goods before handing things over to the Rhythm Devils. Out of Space comes Miracle > China Doll, and Jerry delivers a crisp, delicate version before the band finds themselves—and everybody in Springfield—GDTRFB. Only Good Lovin’ can deliver the cure after that. Day Job sends everyone home. Two nights in Springfield, two great shows. Springfield delight! Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #GratefulDead #GDVault #PlayDead

It’s another Tuesday Dead Drops “But I can’t stop for nothing, I’m just playing in the band…” This week Lemieux brings us the second of two nights of the '85 Springfield Civic Center run, and the Dead's stop in Portland, ME six days after. Freshly remastered from the original recordings, stream both nights in Hi-Res exclusively on Play Dead 🎧 ➡️ playdead.app "Springfield finishes with Jack Straw > Sugaree, Bird Song and Let It Grow before the first Help > Slip > Franklin’s of the year. Estimated > Eyes follows, and after the Rhythm Devils, Miracle > China Doll > GDTRFB > Good Lovin’ brings the house down. Then we skip ahead to Maine, where fewer than 10,000 faithful get a dandy. A Music Never Stopped opener tells you immediately what kind of night it’s going to be. The second set is a party: Iko > Samson > He’s Gone > Miracle > delivers an extended China Doll > Jam > Drums > Space > Wheel. Then our band beyond description turns everything upside down with Playing Reprise > Playing in the Band before Day Tripper closes the set. Two intimate rooms. Two China Dolls, one upside down PITB, wild transitions and fearless set lists. Spring Tour 1985 is delivering, Stay on Target! Enjoy!" - Martin Knott #PlayDead #GDVault #GratefulDead

Now available to stream in Hi-Res for the first time, the @GratefulDead's 'Download Series Vol. 11' featuring the complete show on June 20th, 1991 at Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI - supplemented by songs from the previous night's show at the same venue. 🎧 ➡️ live.gd/1991-06-20 The addition of Bruce Hornsby to the band brought with it another texture to compliment the existing lineup, and in addition to some masterful performances, 6/20/91 treats us to one of the most intriguing and spectacular second sets of 1991. Following a first set that is capped with a lengthy, inspired reading of "Bird Song," the band comes out for the second set and surprises virtually every Head in the house by opening the set with "Throwing Stones," followed by a peppy "ko Iko." And if that wasn't a shocking enough song placement, the band then continues to obliterate expectations by playing a very rare pre-Drums "All Along The Watchtower." And just to remind us that they were paying attention, they end the show with a smooth return to the "Throwing Stones" reprise into "Not Fade Away." Because there was some great music played the night before at the same venue, we have included a number of bonus songs from 6/19/91, including the post-drums segment from that show, an equally surprising "Stella Blue > The Other One > Johnny B. Goode" set closing jam. #GDVault #PlayDead #GratefulDead