Throughout their 30-year career, the Grateful Dead performed an enormous amount of material. From their first shows to their last, the band was always looking for new material to keep things engaging for their loyal legion of Deadheads. Interestingly, two of their well-known songs were debuted on this very day—May 13th—exactly six years apart.
Any Grateful Dead fan will tell you about the legendary show played on 5/8/77, but loyalists will take things one step further, commenting about the overall pristine quality of the band’s spring run during May of 1977. Among the many shows played on the spring ’77 tour, the performance at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, IL on this date (5/13/77) has the unique distinction of featuring the debut performance of “Jack-a-Roe”. The beloved folk staple has been known by many titles and is estimated to date back to the 1830s. Whether it’s “Jack Monroe”, “Jack Munro”, “Jack The Sailor”, or any of its various names, the song quickly became a staple of live shows.
Grateful Dead – Auditorium Theatre – Chicago, IL – 5/13/1977
[Audio: Jonathan Aizen]
Setlist: Grateful Dead | Auditorium Theatre | Chicago, IL | 5/13/1977
Set 1: The Music Never Stopped, Ramble On Rose, Cassidy, Brown Eyed Women, Minglewood Blues, Friend Of The Devil, El Paso, Jack A Roe, Looks Like Rain, Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain
Set 2: Samson & Delilah-> Bertha, Estimated Prophet, Drums-> The Other One-> Stella Blue-> Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad-> One More Saturday Night
E: U.S. Blues
Just a few years later, the Dead continued to see their fanbase growing with each passing performance. Among the many memorable concerts played in 1983, the one at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA is something of a fan-favorite. Not only is the band returning to the Bay Area with an abundance of energy, but they took the opportunity to debut a new, Bob Weir-penned tune, “Hell In A Bucket”. Interestingly enough, the song was initially called “Enjoying The Ride”, and quickly became a favorite for sets in the 1980s, 90s, and beyond.
Grateful Dead – Greek Theatre – Berkley, CA – 5/13/1983
[Audio: Rango Keshavan]
Setlist: Grateful Dead | Greek Theatre | Berkeley, CA | 5/13/1983
Set 1: Cold Rain And Snow -> Greatest Story Ever Told, West L.A. Fadeaway, Hell In A Bucket, Loser, Little Red Rooster, Bird Song, Let It Grow
Set 2: China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet -> Eyes Of The World -> Drums -> Space -> Throwing Stones -> The Other One -> Wharf Rat -> Around And Around -> Good Lovin’