For the country blues and boogie fans, Friday night at the Allen Theatre in downtown Cleveland was the place to be. The Grateful Dead played for a packed house until close to 2 a.m., making it one of the liveliest concerts ever to come to the Cleveland area. The sold-out concert also was broadcast in its entirety over rock station WNCR-FM, also a first for any major concert.

The show began at 7:30 p.m. with the back-up group - The New Ryders of the Purple Sage - an offshoot of the Grateful Dead. The Ryders played fine soothing country music - a smooth soulful sound.

The Grateful Dead came out on stage about 10 p.m. starting with their old favorite, "Truckin'."

The five-man group, complete with shorter than usual hair, and button-down-collared shirts, started back in Haight-Ashbury in 1965 when they gave free concerts. Led by Jerry Garcia, the group has recently begun a public relations campaign with gimmicks like Grateful Dead Month and "Dead" sweatshirts.

The Dead sounds are easy going and natural. On the whole, the concert was a unique one. It had everything - from flames shooting up on the side of the stage, to audience members dancing in the aisles. A very worthwhile show to see.

Mastered from the original broadcast tapes. Limited edition 2CD digipak.

Band

Jerry Garcia - Guitar, Vocals

Bob Weir - Guitar, Vocals

Phil Lesh - Bass, Vocals

Bill Kreutzmann - Drums

Keith Godcheaux - Piano, Organ

Tracklisting

Disc 1
Side 1
1. Truckin'
2. Sugaree
3. El Paso
4. Loser
5. Playing in the Band
6. Brown-Eyed Women
7. Beat It On Down the Line
8. Brokedown Palace
9. Jack Straw
10. Tennessee Jed
11. Mexicali Blues
12. Big Railroad Blues
13. Casey Jones

Disc 2
1. Cryptical Envelopment>
2. Drums>
3. The Other One>
4. Me and My Uncle>
5. The Other One>
6. Cryptical Envelopment
7. Deal
8. Sugar Magnolia
9. Ramble On Rose
10. Not Fade Away>
11. Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad >
12. Not Fade Away
13. One More Saturday Night

2026 Loop

7/2026