Saturday Dead (Zimmer's Picks): 6.17.75

Words By Andy Zimmer

This week’s pick is a show that has gained a fair amount of notoriety among dedicated fans of the Dead. Known as the Bob Fried Memorial Boogie, this show was a memorial show for poster artist Bob Fried. It was one of the few shows that the Dead played during their 1975 hiatus. Actually, the Memorial Boogie was billed as an evening with the Jerry Garcia Band, Kingfish (Wier’s band at the time), and Donna and Keith’s band. In typical Dead fashion, the evening took some unanticipated twists and turns and ended up as a wonderful moment in Dead history. In fact, this show was Mickey Hart’s first show back with the band after a three year absence.

The second set selections from the “Blues for Allah” album are certainly worth listening to; unfortunately, they enjoyed a very limited run in the Dead’s repertoire before being permanently retired. The first set is also full of notable musical moments; including the first performances of “Crazy Fingers”, “Franklin’s Tower”, and “Help on the Way”(performed without lyrics). The take on “Peggy-O” is also exceptional. I’m sure that this would have been a helluva interesting show to have attended…….I know how much I enjoy listening to it.

Grateful Dead Live at Winterland Arena on June 17, 1975. <--- Direct Archive Link.



Set 1:

Crazy Fingers
Beat It On Down The Line
Deal
Big River
Peggy-O
Me And My Uncle
Help On The Way ->
Slipknot! ->
Franklin's Tower

Set 2:

Blues For Allah ->
Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' The Turkey ->
Drums ->
Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' The Turkey ->
Blues For Allah
Sugar Magnolia

Encore:

U.S. Blues