Manor Downs
Austin, TX
First trip to Texas — took a Braniff flight to Houston and hitched to Austin. I intended to meet up with some very sophisticated, plugged in Boston north shore friends then following the band full time across the country, taping all shows.
My buddy, Frank, a Harvard grad, had a coveted laminate pass (as opposed to the regular cloth backstage passes) enabling him to hang out at the soundboard with Dan Healy. Frank also had access to the backstage and post-show “hospitality suite” hotel scene. That was a serious level of partying, and I was just beginning to be on the precipice of the backstage and post-show hotel scene.
Needless to say, knowing Frank and his crew was beneficial — and after a top 10 ‘best’ show in Austin, grabbed a ride up to Oklahoma City for another outstanding show.
Summer ’82 the Grateful Dead were on fire.