The Phish that we know and love today got their start in 1985, when Page McConnell joined members Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth. From their earliest days at the University of Vermont, the group embraced the psychedelic improvisational culture that had been spawned by the Grateful Dead, taking that mentality in their own direction with elements of jazz, funk, and more.
Compared to shows throughout the 90’s and beyond, the early days of Phish are poorly documented. None of the band’s followers in Burlington suspected their meteoric rise in the jam subculture, which makes this 1987 video footage all the more impressive. Filmed at what is believed to be a graduation party for Mike Gordon, the show performed on May 20th, 1987 was filmed in the backyard of friend Eric Larson’s house, capturing the group with long hair and tie-dyed backdrops.
The show itself is most likely incomplete, but features some tunes that are still in the band’s rotation: “Wilson,” “Run Like An Antelope,” “Golgi Apparatus,” “Possum,” “Harry Hood,” “You Enjoy Myself,” and “Alumni Blues,” the latter of which featured members of The Joneses and Mental Floss, two bands that most likely performed at the party ahead of Phish. The video was widely circulated during the band’s formative years, introducing new fans to some setlist staples.
So sit back and enjoy watching this very early Phish show, and who knows, maybe they’ll write a song called “Fuego” in another 27 years after this was filmed…
Setlist: Phish at The Ranch, South Burlington, VT – 5/20/87
Set 1: Wilson / Run Like an Antelope, Golgi Apparatus / Back Porch Boogie Blues / Lushington / Possum, Harry Hood, You Enjoy Myself, Alumni Blues