Just three years into their storied career, the Grateful Dead were already making a name for themselves throughout California. The band was symbolic of the counterculture movement, rising to prominence through acid tests and psychedelic music. By linking up with promoter Bill Graham, the Dead were exposed to much larger audiences and greater opportunities, and the party was only just getting started.
On Valentine’s Day in 1968, the Dead played quite the steamy performance. Hitting the Carousel Ballroom, which was later renamed the Fillmore West, the band dove into some love-themed classics like “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” and “Turn On Your Lovelight.” Ronald “Pigpen” McKernan was always feeling the love, that’s for sure.
This performance was later released as part of the Road Trips archival series, and portions of this show was included in the live/studio album creation Anthem Of The Sun (1968). Take a listen to the whole show below.
Setlist: Grateful Dead at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA – 2/14/68
Set: Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Morning Dew, Dark Star, China Cat Sunflower, The Eleven, Turn On Your Lovelight, Cryptical Envelopment-> The Other One-> Cryptical Envelopment-> New Potato Caboose-> Born Cross-Eyed-> Spanish Jam, Alligator-> Drums-> Alligator-> Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)
Encore: Midnight Hour
[Originally published 2/14/16]