“Ever the iconoclasts; we’re gonna stand up” 9-24-94

Yes, was there. I was at my friends house in Berkeley when it was announced that Phil would be playing acoustic 

with most of the band. (I can't remember how they worded it; the official ad just said Phil Lesh and Friends).

I think after the greatness we got, we were going to get a Ripple but Jerry broke a string?? Can't remember that part.

    I think it was the first time I paid $100 face from BASS.....Hey, it was a benefit, I probably would have paid $500 at that point  

to see Jerry, Bob, and Phil play acoustic together. The Attics, Cassidy, Bird Song was pretty special to my ears.

      It's also the 39th anniversary of my first show, Syracuse 9-24-82. Great show, shitty venue.

These two shows make this almost like my birthday today. 

Love it!
 

i was living on oregon st off of telegraph at the time. 

attended this show and enjoyed it very much.

I was generally disappointed with that show, but it was all my own fault.

My experience at that show is a classic example of what happens when you walk in with preconceived expectations & ideas of what you WANT it to be.

I was really psyched for that one, expecting from the moment it was announced to be an event in the vein of what I had seen them do 12 - 14 years earlier, which was a big mistake and I should have known better. I spent most of that set listening to what it WASN'T instead of being in the moment and listening to what it WAS.

Also, because of circumstances, I had been inside the building early and was peeking inside the hall during their sound check. Jerry was in a FOUL mood on stage, growling, bitching about everything and walking off before they were done, and in my mind that image carried over to the show, where he really showed none of that, but the impression had been made.

Leaving expectations at the door is one of the most difficult and most important things to do when going to a show. It's something I consciously try to do before most shows I see, almost like a mantra or mental exercise, and that night often comes to mind when I'm trying to do that.

Over the years I've considered that experience a positive that came from a negative.

No, it wasn't The Grateful Dead, but for me, it was the concert of the year.

I talked to an older gentleman shortly after who was a volunteer at the show, and he said about the same thing about Garcia that Lance did.

I imagine part of it was the unfamiliar set-up/setting, and the fact that there was going to be this "meet-and-greet" after the show, which we

knew Jerry would bail on. (He did leave, Phil and Bob were there; I had to leave before that, but I gave my friend my ticket to get into the party,

and he had Weir sign it). Phil was totally cool to friends of mine who talked to him briefly after the show, before Jill escorted him out.

      All and all, while far from perfect, a great night.