Celebrating 50 Years of The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

This past July marked arguably one of the most epic spectacles in the history of live rock n’ roll.  Over the Fourth of July weekend The Grateful Dead reunited for the last three of five shows to mark their 50^th anniversary in what they said are the final shows that they will be playing as a complete group on a short tour they called Fare Thee Well.  They chose Soldier Field in Chicago in Chicacgo, Illinois as the venue for these magnanimous performances because it is the last location that The Grateful Dead played with late front man Jerry Garcia before his untimely passing.   The group brought on Trey Anastasio of Phish fame as a Jerry replacement, as well as keys players Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti.  Despite the pressure of having such large shoes to fill, Trey did a great job singing lead vocals on many songs as well as switching off lead guitar with Bob Weir.  With around 70,000 people attending each night, these shows were truly for the record books.  They could not have chosen a better location.  The warm summer nights and beautiful scenery including the surrounding skyscrapers looming in the background provided the perfect aesthetic for a phenomenal  musical experience.

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

On Friday, July 3 fans witnessed classic songs such as “Fire on the Mountain”,” Jack Straw, ”Scarlet Begonias”, “Playing in the Band” and “Ripple” as an encore.  Saturday, the Fourth of July had an equally as impressive set list with a gigantic fireworks display to close out the show.  They played many hits including “Shakedown Street”, “Me and My Uncle”, “Friend of the Devil”, “Deal”, “Stella Blue” and of course encored with “U.S. Blues”.  The final show on July 5 had what could be called one of the greatest set lists performed by The Dead including numerous timeless classics such as “Althea”, “China Cat Sunflower”, “Estimated Prophet,” “Terrapin Station”, and “Not Fade Away”.  The show closed with a “Touch of Grey” and

Mickey Hart and Bill Kruetzmann during Drums/Space

“Attics of My Life” encore. 

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

During “Not Fade Away” a slideshow of photos from the bands history played on the Jumbotron screens, invoking an emotional response for the thousands of Deadheads watching and hundreds of thousands of fans watching the simulcast from home.  Each night they played their improvisational signature “Drums” into “Space”, which was a highly psychedelic journey each time.

Chicago Aerial Photo at Night July 5, 2015

Grateful Dead fans flood the streets after the show

Each night once the shows let out, all 70,000 people plus the thousands of others who were not lucky enough to make it inside flooded the streets of Chicago to head to the dozens of after parties at numerous venues around the city.  As if the Soldier Field shows weren’t enough, fans were able to catch a variety of different bands late night from the likes of Moe., Darkstar Orchestra, Rebirth Brass Band, Leftover Salmon, Particle, Railroad Earth, Matisyahu, and many more.  There were also collaborations and jams with numerous other musicians including the ‘Dead on the Water’ which was an afterparty on a yacht with musicians Leo Nocentelli, Bernie Worrell, Oteil Burbridge, and Allen Aucoin.

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

Of the countless fans across the country who tried to get tickets to Fare Thee Well, the majority were unable to get tickets to this event.  Tickets were in such high demand that they were being scalped for thousands of dollars before the shows.    Those who were fortunate enough to make it will remember this weekend of sheer love and magic for the rest of their lives.  Every aspect of the shows went off without a hitch, from the visuals, stage production, and music to the infrastructure and safety of the fans.  Between the music, the vibes, the fans, and the city of Chicago, Fare Thee Well was one of the greatest runs that any band has put together.

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir performing during Fare Thee Well

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

 

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field - Fare Thee Well Tour

Check out the full gallery at Performance Impressions photography archives:

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field Fare Thee Well Tour