Some loser did climb on stage in San Diego '73 and started sauntering towards Donna in the middle of a song- I'll never forget Bobby looking at the guy and doing his meanest possible "get down!!!", about 2 seconds before a couple guys grabbed him.
My first west coast show, Oakland Coliseum 89. General admission on the floor and they had two aisles running the length of the floor marked off with yellow tape. Nobody stood in the aisles. The aisles stayed perfectly clear all night. It was weird.
In the 80's all the Cali GA shows I saw I could walk up front any time I pleased. Go buy a beer or take a piss in the back and could get up front again or close again. No hassle. Just sayin'
For GA shows in the west coast, there was more of general respect for the people who arrived early to stake out choice quadrants. On the east coast it didn't quite matter as uncouth late arrivals would still try to snake and push their way to spaces up front.
My first Greek show in 81 I was on the rail in front of Phil. Being from the east coast, I was astounded that nobody touched me the entire show except for one time and the person apologized. I went home and moved to Boulder.
I saw most of my shows on the east coast, and when I saw my first west coast shows in September 85 at HJK, I was blown away by how chill it was. Did folks ever play volleyball on the floor before the first set started at MSG or the Spectrum? I don't think so. It would have been bedlam.
A composition on the sociological differences between the east coast and west coast, as viewed through the lens of Grateful Dead GA floor, would be an interesting hypothesis for a doctoral dissertation.
A discussion of the relative merits of OG Kush vs. Sour Diesel would have to be included in such a dissertation, I would think, Tatters. Or it would if I was writing it, at least.
>>> Look how it was at Ventura! No "Step Back" moments. The crowd was mellow and awesome! Saw every one from 82 to 87. Best GD place ever! I hope there are videos of them all that will arise!
a year ago, a guy commented "No 'Step Back' moments. The crowd was mellow and awesome!" on a video of a gd show you posted in a thread, that you started, titled "Did Weir ever say " Take a step back" on the West Coast?
East Coast, 7:30 show time: at 7:15 the anticipation starts building and becomes palpable. At 7:30 there's a cheer. 7:37 and the cheer gets louder. People are on their feet, already dancing. The electricity is growing by the minute. Hair on the back of the neck is standing up. A roadie walks across the stage and people hoot and holler. 7:47 the lights go down and the arena erupts with pent up energy.
West Coast, 7:30 show: 7:15, people chatting. 7:30, people chatting. 7:45, people chatting. Lights go out, half the crowd stops chatting. The other half chats louder. Golf claps ensue.
Good post, Brian. Very true regarding the lights going down... Jerry waves, lights a cigarette and away we go. I'm truly grateful to have been part of that.
Sooo- did the band appreciate the enormous East coast energy? Effen A they did.
Of course out east the peeps were more raucous and I loved it. I remember Giants Stadium 89 my only 89 show and the whole place was on fire. I was surprised and loved it!
And my first NY show at Nassau in 81 I had floor seats and everyone was standing on their seats and the applause was deafening. The energy was off the charts and blew me away.
Never saw a show down deep south or in the Midwest. I imagine it similar
But it was cool to be able to walk up front if you chose at any time. Something that you could never do out east.
East Coast, 7:30 show time: at 7:15 the anticipation starts building and becomes palpable. At 7:30 there's a cheer. 7:37 and the cheer gets louder. People are on their feet, already dancing. The electricity is growing by the minute. Hair on the back of the neck is standing up. A roadie walks across the stage and people hoot and holler. 7:47 the lights go down and the arena erupts with pent up energy.<<
Did WCoast crowds cheer when the four follow-spot operators climbed to their perches? Or even notice?
Rochester 11-5-77. My second show. The crowd on the floor was so packed it was nuts. Body contact with people in front and behind me. Sick. The "take a step back" helped but only for a few minutes. Still, the show was amazing, a memory for a lifetime.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mr. Sunshine State Earl
on Sunday, April 11, 2021 – 08:31 pm
Are NY, NJ or MA. on the West
Are NY, NJ or MA. on the West Coast?
No- so I doubt it, also.
Some loser did climb on stage in San Diego '73 and started sauntering towards Donna in the middle of a song- I'll never forget Bobby looking at the guy and doing his meanest possible "get down!!!", about 2 seconds before a couple guys grabbed him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D. Portland_ken
on Sunday, April 11, 2021 – 09:31 pm
Never heard that, but did
Never heard that, but did hear him say: "Did I hear someone say 'fuck the Christian Right'?" at Portland Meadows in 95.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee Herbal Dave
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 11:48 am
Did he tell the naked pole
Did he tell the naked pole humper guy to keep it in his pants?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Where Does The Time Go? LiquidMonkey
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 03:07 pm
he never had to. folks on the
he never had to. folks on the west coast are kind and considerate.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jonaspond Jonas
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 03:16 pm
If Garcia played 30 local
If Garcia played 30 local shows a year the east would have been less amped.
My first west coast show --- didn't even realize the band was on stage...absolutely no change in the vibe of the audience.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: (~)};)StealYourFace WALSTIB
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 03:23 pm
STFU...
We get
S-T-F-U...
to a crowd of chatty MILF-Valley types
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Splintered custie Sunlite
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 05:47 pm
My first west coast show,
My first west coast show, Oakland Coliseum 89. General admission on the floor and they had two aisles running the length of the floor marked off with yellow tape. Nobody stood in the aisles. The aisles stayed perfectly clear all night. It was weird.
Ha
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 05:54 pm
A better question might be:
A better question might be: How might a West Coast audience respond if Weir told them to take a step back?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Monday, April 12, 2021 – 06:24 pm
In the 80's all the Cali GA
In the 80's all the Cali GA shows I saw I could walk up front any time I pleased. Go buy a beer or take a piss in the back and could get up front again or close again. No hassle. Just sayin'
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back masonskids
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 02:01 am
I seem to recall a Take a
I seem to recall a Take a Step Back or something to that effect at the Kaiser, possibly a post Jerry gig.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry heathentom
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 02:26 am
>>>The aisles stayed
>>>The aisles stayed perfectly clear all night<<<
You're welcome.
I could tell some stories about those aisles.
Fuckin' east-coast dead heads.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mr. Sunshine State Earl
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 08:27 am
This thread proves that
This thread proves that Westies aren't really Deadheads- were just there for the party.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb) Tatters
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 08:52 am
For GA shows in the west
For GA shows in the west coast, there was more of general respect for the people who arrived early to stake out choice quadrants. On the east coast it didn't quite matter as uncouth late arrivals would still try to snake and push their way to spaces up front.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote Stringtwang
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 09:15 am
My first Greek show in 81 I
My first Greek show in 81 I was on the rail in front of Phil. Being from the east coast, I was astounded that nobody touched me the entire show except for one time and the person apologized. I went home and moved to Boulder.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Splintered custie Sunlite
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 09:45 am
I bet you westies always
I bet you westies always found your assigned seat and stayed there too. *Yawn*
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 09:48 am
I saw most of my shows on the
I saw most of my shows on the east coast, and when I saw my first west coast shows in September 85 at HJK, I was blown away by how chill it was. Did folks ever play volleyball on the floor before the first set started at MSG or the Spectrum? I don't think so. It would have been bedlam.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb) Tatters
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 10:40 am
A composition on the
A composition on the sociological differences between the east coast and west coast, as viewed through the lens of Grateful Dead GA floor, would be an interesting hypothesis for a doctoral dissertation.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 10:44 am
A discussion of the relative
A discussion of the relative merits of OG Kush vs. Sour Diesel would have to be included in such a dissertation, I would think, Tatters. Or it would if I was writing it, at least.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 12:57 pm
This is a good example of the
This is a good example of the space people gave you in Cali.
Ventura 1987. And 87 was the beginning of the mob scene.
https://vimeo.com/131484962
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Where Does The Time Go? LiquidMonkey
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 03:11 pm
^^^^ From the comments
^^^^ From the comments section:
>>> dave nelson1 year ago
>>> Look how it was at Ventura! No "Step Back" moments. The crowd was mellow and awesome! Saw every one from 82 to 87. Best GD place ever! I hope there are videos of them all that will arise!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 04:51 pm
^ And your point is!?
^ And your point is!?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: TommyGutt deadtothecore2
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 05:06 pm
Westies were more polite and
Westies were more polite and Chill
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Where Does The Time Go? LiquidMonkey
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 06:05 pm
>>>> ^ And your point is!?
>>>> ^ And your point is!?
a year ago, a guy commented "No 'Step Back' moments. The crowd was mellow and awesome!" on a video of a gd show you posted in a thread, that you started, titled "Did Weir ever say " Take a step back" on the West Coast?
settle the fuck down
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 06:10 pm
lol
lol
But LiquidMonkey, shouldn't that "settle the fuck down" really be "take a step back"?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Where Does The Time Go? LiquidMonkey
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 06:34 pm
it was right there...
it was right there...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 07:29 pm
Damn, LiquidMonkey should
Damn, LiquidMonkey should have gone to more Cali shows. The anger is not healthy! Chill Kahuna! :)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: joy blackrock
on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 – 08:52 pm
Jerry on the Eel was pretty
Jerry on the Eel was pretty chill
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Localcountyline Localcountyline
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 12:06 am
Rolling Stone Aug. '80.
Rolling Stone Aug. '80.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Where Does The Time Go? LiquidMonkey
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 03:07 am
>>> Damn, LiquidMonkey should
>>> Damn, LiquidMonkey should have gone to more Cali shows. The anger is not healthy! Chill Kahuna! :)
i find your lack of self-awareness troubling.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 06:45 am
^ If it doesn't trouble me
If it doesn't trouble me why should it trouble you!
............and you no that notion just crossed my mind
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 06:59 am
East Coast, 7:30 show time:
East Coast, 7:30 show time: at 7:15 the anticipation starts building and becomes palpable. At 7:30 there's a cheer. 7:37 and the cheer gets louder. People are on their feet, already dancing. The electricity is growing by the minute. Hair on the back of the neck is standing up. A roadie walks across the stage and people hoot and holler. 7:47 the lights go down and the arena erupts with pent up energy.
West Coast, 7:30 show: 7:15, people chatting. 7:30, people chatting. 7:45, people chatting. Lights go out, half the crowd stops chatting. The other half chats louder. Golf claps ensue.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 07:46 am
Bri apparently you never saw
Bri apparently you never saw the Grateful Dead movie or a show out west.
That was kinda funny though.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: I rang a silent bell China-Rider
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 08:15 am
Yes, on 2/26/77 San
Yes, on 2/26/77 San Bernardino, after Estimated, before Sugaree.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mr. Sunshine State Earl
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 08:25 am
Good post, Brian. Very true
Good post, Brian. Very true regarding the lights going down... Jerry waves, lights a cigarette and away we go. I'm truly grateful to have been part of that.
Sooo- did the band appreciate the enormous East coast energy? Effen A they did.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 08:28 am
Saw both, Dolittle. My point
Saw both, Dolittle. My point being, there was way more crowd energy on the east Coast. I don't think that's debatable, especially after '78.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 09:10 am
More energy? Or a different
More energy? Or a different kind of energy? Back east was more amped up, no doubt.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank Briank
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 09:14 am
I'd say both more and
I'd say both more and different.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: joy blackrock
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 09:23 am
East coast has better blow
East coast has better blow
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: nevermind mikeedwardsetc
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 09:56 am
> Yes, on 2/26/77 San
> Yes, on 2/26/77 San Bernardino, after Estimated, before Sugaree.
Good find, China-Rider. Not exactly "everybody's favorite fun game" with repeated exhortations like back east, but there it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrEfUddbNDI&t=435s
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 – 11:50 am
Of course out east the peeps
Of course out east the peeps were more raucous and I loved it. I remember Giants Stadium 89 my only 89 show and the whole place was on fire. I was surprised and loved it!
And my first NY show at Nassau in 81 I had floor seats and everyone was standing on their seats and the applause was deafening. The energy was off the charts and blew me away.
Never saw a show down deep south or in the Midwest. I imagine it similar
But it was cool to be able to walk up front if you chose at any time. Something that you could never do out east.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor doolittle
on Friday, April 23, 2021 – 04:37 am
Weir did say "You people are
Weir did say "You people are going to get flat and bug eyed quick" before He's Gone at the first Irvine show in 83.
https://archive.org/details/gd83-03-27.sennheiser.dodd.11261.sbeok.shnf/...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic (Bluestnote)
on Friday, April 23, 2021 – 06:38 pm
East Coast, 7:30 show time:
East Coast, 7:30 show time: at 7:15 the anticipation starts building and becomes palpable. At 7:30 there's a cheer. 7:37 and the cheer gets louder. People are on their feet, already dancing. The electricity is growing by the minute. Hair on the back of the neck is standing up. A roadie walks across the stage and people hoot and holler. 7:47 the lights go down and the arena erupts with pent up energy.<<
Did WCoast crowds cheer when the four follow-spot operators climbed to their perches? Or even notice?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: david birmingham jeknickfan
on Friday, April 23, 2021 – 08:10 pm
Rochester 11-5-77. My second
Rochester 11-5-77. My second show. The crowd on the floor was so packed it was nuts. Body contact with people in front and behind me. Sick. The "take a step back" helped but only for a few minutes. Still, the show was amazing, a memory for a lifetime.