There’s no denying that 1978 was one of the peak years of Grateful Dead history. The band was in fine form, settling in with their newest band members, Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux, and had just released the Terrapin Station album in mid-1977. Perhaps then, it’s no surprise that Rhino Records has announced the release of July 1978: The Complete Recordings, a 12-CD set archiving five full Grateful Dead show from the magical year.

The five shows featured are: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (7/1/78), St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78), Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78), and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (7/7/78 and 7/8/78). With audio from the mastered soundboards, captured by the one and only Ms. Betty Cantor-Jackson, this release promises to be one of the finest in the Dead’s rich live archives.

The Red Rocks shows mark the band’s first at the storied venue, and, to build anticipation, Rolling Stone has premiered the leading single from that July 8th show. Listen to “Wharf Rat,” below:

Due out May 13th, this is a must-have for any Deadhead’s collection. Archivist David Lemieux certainly agrees with the sentiment. “To many ears, mine included, 1978 is considered one of the best years in Grateful Dead history, keeping the momentum going from the excellence of 1977 Dead,” he told Rolling Stone. “These five shows are from one of the best weeks of the one of the best years in the Grateful Dead’s 30 years performing career. From the opening ‘Bertha’ to the closing ‘Werewolves of London,’ this box features nearly 100 tracks of phenomenal, inspired playing, all of which is previously unreleased.”

Pre-orders are ongoing for this limited edition item, but act quickly! Only 15,000 numbered copies will be issued. There will also be a 3-CD set for just the 7/8/78 Red Rocks as well. For those who want a bit more info, scope the full tracklisting for July 1978: The Complete Recordings below:

Show #1
Arrowhead Stadium: Kansas City, MO (7/1/78)

Disc 1
1. Bertha [7:02]
2. Good Lovin’ [6:30]
3. Tennessee Jed [8:49]
4. Jack Straw [6:03]
5. Friend Of The Devil [8:20]
6. Me And My Uncle [2:56]
7. Big River [5:16]

Disc 2
1. Terrapin Station> [11:01]
2. Playing In The Band> [8:56]
3. Rhythm Devils> [8:51]
4. Space> [3:51]
5. Estimated Prophet> [11:05]
6. The Other One>[5:13]
7. Wharf Rat> [10:01]
8. Around And Around [8:25]
9. Johnny B. Goode [4:15]

Show #2
St. Paul Civic Center Arena, St. Paul, MN (7/3/78)

Disc 1
1. New Minglewood Blues [5:40]
2. Loser [7:35]
3. Looks Like Rain [7:51]
4. Ramble On Rose [7:25]
5. Mexicali Blues> [3:26]
6. Mama Tried> [3:24]
7. Peggy-O [8:09]
8. Cassidy [5:08]
9. Deal> [6:13]
10. The Music Never Stopped [8:20]

Disc 2
1. Scarlet Begonias> [10:16]
2. Fire On The Mountain[9:39]
3. Dancing In The Street> [13:32]
4. Rhythm Devils> [11:10]
5. Not Fade Away> [6:46]
6. Stella Blue> [10:51]

7. Sugar Magnolia [9:19]
8. Werewolves Of London [7:12]

Show #3
Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, NE (7/5/78)

Disc 1
1. Sugaree [9:51]
2. Beat It On Down The Line [3:28]
3. They Love Each Other [7:12]
4. Looks Like Rain[7:59]
5. Dire Wolf [3:49]
6. It’s All Over Now[8:22]
7. Candyman [6:41]
8. Lazy Lightning> [3:27]
9. Supplication[5:27]
10. Deal[5:59]
11. Samson and Delilah [7:18]
12. Ship Of Fools[7:29]

Disc 2
1. Estimated Prophet> [12:42]
2. Eyes Of The World>[12:23]
3. Rhythm Devils>[7:56]
4. Space> [7:28]
5. Wharf Rat>[9:43]
6. Truckin’> [7:29]
7. Iko Iko> [7:23]
8. Around And Around [8:27]
9. Promised Land [4:13]

Show #4
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (7/7/78)

Disc 1
1. Jack Straw [5:49]
2. Candyman [6:40]
3. Me And My Uncle>[3:00]
4. Big River [5:53]
5. Friend Of The Devil [8:36]
6. Cassidy [5:06]
7. Tennessee Jed [9:11]
8. Passenger [5:31]
9. Peggy-O [9:10]
10. The Music Never Stopped [8:13]

Disc 2
1. Cold Rain And Snow [7:26]
2. Beat It On Down The Line [3:38]
3. Scarlet Begonias> [10:18]
4. Fire On The Mountain [8:10]

Disc 3
1. Dancing In The Street[8:57]
2. Rhythm Devils>[10:12]
3. Space> [6:09]
4. Not Fade Away> [11:04]
5. Black Peter>[10:29]
6. Around And Around [8:44]
7. U.S. Blues [5:55]
8. Johnny B. Goode [4:16]

Show #5 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO (7/8/78)

Disc 1
1. Bertha> [6:43]
2. Good Lovin’ [6:40]
3. Dire Wolf [4:07]
4. El Paso [4:25]
5. It Must Have Been The Roses [7:16]
6. New Minglewood Blues [6:09]
7. Ramble On Rose [8:34]
8. Promised Land [4:37]
9. Deal [6:26]
10. Samson and Delilah [7:44]
11. Ship Of Fools [7:29]

Disc 2
1. Estimated Prophet> [13:08]
2. The Other One> [8:51]
3. Eyes Of The World> [10:34]
4. Rhythm Devils> [10:29]
5. Space> [5:03]
6. Wharf Rat> [8:43]
7. Franklin’s Tower [10:39]
8. Sugar Magnolia [9:31]

Disc 3
1. Terrapin Station> [10:54]
2. One More Saturday Night [5:13]
3. Werewolves Of London [6:44]

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