Back in late November, Dark Star Orchestra announced that they’d be performing at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, for the first time ever, where they’d recreate the Grateful Dead’s own legendary Red Rocks performance—July 8th, 1978—exactly 40 years after it occurred. For this Grateful Dead Red Rocks 40th anniversary and Dark Star Orchestra’s debut at the venue, previously, it was announced that Keller Williams would be on hand as support this summer on July 8th.
Today, Dark Star Orchestra has revealed more information about special guests who will be on hand, including original Grateful Dead member, Donna Jean Godchaux. Having performed with the Grateful Dead at Red Rocks, Donna Jean shared these thoughts with fans via a press release: “I refer to Red Rocks as the hallowed hall of Rock-n-Roll; one of the most amazing venues in the country. I loved playing there with the Grateful Dead and am looking forward to playing there with Dark Star Orchestra. It will be a blast!”
Dark Star Orchestra’s own lead guitarist and vocalist, Jeff Mattson, added, “I’ve had the privilege and the pleasure of playing guitar in Donna Jean’s band for many years, so I can attest better than most to the beauty and soulfulness of her singing and songwriting. To have her back on the same stage she sang on 40 years ago will be an honor and a treasured event.”
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In addition to Godchaux, Dark Star Orchestra will have another iconic woman from the Grateful Dead family on deck: Betty Cantor-Jackson, the Dead and Jerry Garcia‘s longtime recording engineer responsible for the beloved Betty Boards. Known for her vibrant mixes, including of the Dead’s original 1978 Red Rocks performance, Cantor-Jackson will similarly be at Dark Star Orchestra’s show to capture the audio.
Special VIP packages through CID Entertainment are being offered for the event, with more information available here. You can purchase tickets to Dark Star Orchestra’s upcoming Red Rocks debut here.