On October 25th, 1991, the music world was shaken when beloved concert promoter Bill Graham lost his life in a helicopter accident. Just one week later on November 3rd, an all-star cast of musicians banded together for “Laughter, Love and Music”, a one-day event in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park honoring the work of the iconic Graham.

Musicians who performed at the event included the Grateful Dead, Santana, Los Lobos, Joan Baez and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jackson Browne, and John Fogerty–all of whom were fostered by Graham in the earliest days of their careers. The impact of Graham’s promotional outreach was unprecedented, and his loss is still felt to this day.

Some quality recordings from this “Laughter, Love and Music” celebration live on, including the Grateful Dead’s emotion set which included a sit-in from John Popper (Blues Traveler) on “Wang Dang Doodle”, and a number of tracks with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty, including “Born On The Bayou”, “Green River”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Proud Mary”.

Revisit footage from the incredible tribute below.

Grateful Dead – Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park – 11/3/1991

[Video: BurningShoreProphet3]

Setlist: Grateful Dead | “Laughter, Love, And Music” At The Polo Field in Golden Gate Park | San Francisco, CA | 11/3/1991

Set One: Hell In A Bucket, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, Wang Dang Doodle**, Born On The Bayou*, Green River*, Bad Moon Rising*, Proud Mary*, Truckin’-> The Other One-> Wharf Rat-> Sunshine Daydream

Encore: Forever Young***, Touch of Grey

Notes:
* John Fogerty, guitar and vocals
**John Popper Blues Traveler, harmonica
*** Neil Young, guitar and vocal

[Originally published 11/3/16]