Boston Garden
Boston, MA
Decided to try walking down front at Boston Garden from our nosebleed seats, and was surprised to easily get past floor and orchestra security, at least momentarily.
I knew the Dead and their American Beauty, Workingman’s Dead, Wake of the Flood and Mars Hotel catalogue — but seeing in person these non-rock star guys in jeans and t-shirts play this incredible improvisational music was a life-changing event. I had never seen anything so inspiring.
Jerry Garcia’s combined lack of pretense and playing skill was instantly mesmerizing. I was booted from front row within two minutes, but that taste of the band from “right down front” packed a punch.
The Dead, at the time, was on an incredible run of shows in May, 1997 that many believe is the best music the band ever played. I came to disagree with that assessment as i preferred ’72-’74 and ’80-’85 but, nonetheless, the playing at Boston Garden was spectacular, warranting a (+).
I knew more Grateful Dead shows were in my future, but had no idea where this would ultimately take me.