Back in 1987, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead teamed up for an unforgettable summer tour. Dylan had been coming off a series of unsuccessful releases, and first teamed up with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers for a tour. Dylan and the Dead would perform in both 1986 and 1987, though the July 1987 series would ultimately make its way onto the Dylan & the Dead live album releases.
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While the live album was written off as underwhelming, there’s still a lot to love about the show on July 24th, 1987 at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA. After two great sets of the Grateful Dead to get things going, it was the third set that featured the full collaboration between Dylan and Dead members. Jerry Garcia works his magic in the Dylan catalog, and the rest of the band members give their all for the performance. It’s a true testament to their musicianship to be able to support Dylan and his unique style, but this show sees the Dead really pulling together for the cause.
Fortunately, we have some taped audio to reflect back on this great performance. Listen to the full show, streaming below, via taper Russ Cansler:
Grateful Dead & Bob Dylan — Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum — Oakland, CA — 7/24/87
Setlist: Grateful Dead & Bob Dylan | Oakland-Alameda Coliseum | Oakland, CA | 7/24/87
Set One: Funiculì, Funiculà, Jack Straw -> Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, My Brother Esau, Friend Of The Devil, Me And My Uncle -> Big River, When Push Comes To Shove, Far From Me, Cassidy -> Deal
Set Two: Hell In A Bucket -> Scarlet Begonias, Playing In The Band -> Drums -> Space -> Uncle John’s Band -> Dear Mr. Fantasy -> I Need A Miracle -> Bertha -> Sugar Magnolia
Set Three: The Times They Are A-Changin’, Man Of Peace, Maggie’s Farm, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, I Want You, Highway Revisited, It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again, Ballad Of A Thin Man, Shelter From The Storm, Slow Train, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Encore: Touch Of Grey, All Along The Watchtower