By 1977, the Grateful Dead were like a steam locomotive, rolling down the tracks. The band continued to grow in popularity with every performance, touring the nation with a passion. Still, there’s no place like home, and San Francisco was the beloved stomping grounds for Deadheads everywhere.
Perhaps that’s what makes the band’s performances at the Winterland Ballroom so special. There’s an air of homecoming in each and every number, powering some of the best playing during one of the band’s most iconic years. The show on June 9th came at the end of a three-night stretch at the storied San Fran haunt, bringing some of the best jams on the table. The “Help On The Way” > “Slipknot!” > “Franklin’s Tower” is the stuff of legends.
Don’t just take our word for it… tune in to the full audio recording below:
Grateful Dead – Winterland Ballroom – San Francisco, CA – 6/9/1977
[Audio: Â Charlie Miller and Duane Day]
[Originally published 6/9/2019]