favorite favorite favorite

This was the only indoor Dead show I attended. The 5 others were all at Riverbend, Alpine Valley and the Rubber Bowl. I remember this being a fun, lively show even though we had seats that were high up and far from the stage. I'd never witnessed tons of deadheads dancing in the corridors of an indoor amphitheater before, that image stays in my mind. Even my buddy, Dave, who was barely into the Dead enjoyed the show, the acid helped, I'm sure. The tunes I definitely remember hearing that night were Shakedown Street, Black Peter, Candyman and Box of Rain. These days I never listen to post-1975 Dead, but I did just now revisit this Shakedown and I have to say Jerry does sound rejuvenated and lively. His voice is even pretty smooth. The last show I'd seen prior to this was a July1986 Akron/Rubber Bowl only a few days before his diabetic coma. That one was a just-ok show w/ Dylan and Tom Petty. Jerry actually left the stage for 1 or 2 Dead songs which was weird. Now in light of what was to occur in just a few days it makes sense. Anyway back to this Chicago show, he's obviously doing much better. I remember a bunch of us spending the night in a high-rise hotel room somewhere downtown Chicago after the show. Tripping into the night, unable to sleep, I made the mistake of looking in the bathroom mirror late at night. Not recommended..... Anyway, dug this show!

- April 23, 2020One of the better shows I saw