Was It Really The End for the Grateful Dead?

If their announcements are to be believed, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart brought The Grateful Dead's 50-year career to an end Sunday night with a third show at Chicago's Soldier Field. That ended the five-show Fare Thee Well tour, which was also staged in Santa Clara, California a week earlier.

 

Sunday night at midnight, with Bob Weir on vocals, the Dead -- joined by Bruce Hornsby on piano, Trey Anastasio of Phish on guitar and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti -- may have served up their last song: "Attics of My Life," from 1970's American Beauty.

 

The five shows presented a total of 84 songs, with the only repeats being "Truckin'" and "Cumberland Blues." The consensus of fans is that the first show in each city was the best.

 

The lights on the Empire State Building in New York were synchronized to the band's live performance of "U.S. Blues" and the building was shown on the screens at Soldier Field.

 

 

 

Saturday and Sunday in Chicago found the band a bit off their game.

There are rumors the band will tour in the fall with John Mayer -- who was in the audience for all five shows -- on guitar.

 

The Chicago shows will be released on CD, DVD, Blu-ray -- as well as digitally -- on November 20th.

 

A couple of side notes from the Chicago run:

An estimated 280,000 Deadheads attended the three Chicago show.
Fireworks closed out Saturday's show.
President Obama sent a message which said, "Here's to fifty years of the Grateful Dead, an iconic American band that embodies the creativity, passion, and ability to bring people together that makes American music so great. Enjoy this weekend's celebration of your fans and legacy. And, as Jerry would say, 'Let there be songs to fill the air.'" The Dead did a show in support of Obama's 2008 candidacy for President.

 

 

Mumford and Sons at Bonaroo

Imagine being at Bonaroo and bumping into the band.  Could've happened!  The guys dressed up in Robin Hood and his Merry Men attire- including a Wolf and meandered through the crowd without hardly a soul noticing...  Check out the video: