7-8-78

This epic show from Red Rocks can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE. I do not throw around the term epic very often but it's my obligation to tell the truth.

This classic show opens with a rocking "Bertha" "Good Loving'" combo. Then the band plays "Dire Wolf," "El Paso," "It Must Have Been the Roses," and "Minglewood Blues" in which they find an energized groove to the first set. The "Ramble on Rose" is exemplary. Garcia is really jazzed up. He sings it like he can't get his vocals loud enough, which feeds his guitar work on the song. It is a rocking version. They end the set with two closing songs, "Promised" and "Deal," in which you'll notice that Donna Jean's vocals are at a perfect level.
"Samson" then "Ship of Fools" opens the second set, which really starts going as the band drops into an airy "Estimated." But before the "Eyes" combo can be completed the band explodes into "The Other One." The music here progresses into a Latin type jam as their speed propels them into "Eyes." As "Drums" drifts, Garcia falls into "Wharf Rat." He takes his time getting to the vocals, first choosing to indulge in a brief guitar solo. His vocals are encompassing and direct. You can hear him clear his nose after singing, "If he says I may." It is as if the lyrics in the break are getting to him.
The jam post "Wharf Rat" is loud and forceful with a rift that was common in '73. Then the band jumps into "Franklin's," where Garcia continues to emphasize his vocals in the song. Keeping with the key of A, the band ends with an excellent "Sugar Mags."
The band comes out and encores with "Terrapin" into "Saturday Night." The peak of "Terrapin" is raucous and loud. Their would only be one more time in Grateful Dead history that "Terrapin" was used as an encore.
The crowd calls the band back on stage for "Werewolves." Donna's and Jerry's vocals are goofy as they play off of one another and Bobby's slide guitar is brilliant. Bobby is the reason why "Werewolves" is put into rotation. Bobby had just decided that he was meant to be a slide guitarist. His slide worked well on songs like "Candyman" but didn't work for songs like "Fire." So one night Bobby has the radio on and yells to Parrish, "Tell Garcia I'm not going on stage tonight unless he sings that song tonight" as he points to the radio. The song on the radio was "Werewolves of London." (This is also the only song my 1 year old son Jerry can sing along with right now, "Ah Wuu.")
After the show the band goes into the studio to start recording "Shakedown Street" with Little Feat's Lowell George. "Werewolves" doesn't get played again until Halloween 85, and only returns for Halloween shows.

Here is Bill Walton, with Billy Kreutzmann and his two kids, Justin and Stacey on 7-8-78.
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