The Grateful Dead's Unusual Ticketing Strategy

Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead discusses the controversial strategy behind taper tickets.
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[@WesleyAnderson]

I'm in my 78th year. The best times I've ever had were Dead concerts. Nothing better on this planet by a very wide margin❤

[@seanmac5093]

sad

[@danceswithdogs2041]

Yup. It was sooo sad. Every Deadhead, Band members, Roadies and all the long chain of Grateful Dead support personnel and family and all the Kids... those "in utero", 'specially those on a return visit, and all the rest from 1 to 85 or more... felt "The Sad". Today... there are a few of the Original Dead still walking and singin' on the planet... And so many Grate Musicians keeping it all alive... and Further. Not so sad in the long run... The Train... The Festival Express is still rolling... keeping it's eye out for sleepy alligators on the track. Pour on the coal Monkey!!

[@WickBeavers]

that's great at the same time it's tragic because you ought to try Blackberry jam.

[@danceswithdogs2041]

@WickBeavers I looked for "BlackBerry Jam"... thinking it was a band or performer. I didn't find it but "BluesBerry Jam" came up. As Doctor Evil said... "It's astonishing... You should try it ".

[@mrtweedy705]

What a wonderful story, a caring way to share a part of his life, as the Dead shared so much of themselves with us.

[@timruth8767]

Right up to the point they decided to screw over PHIL and shovel money into their bank accounts,.....Bob, Jerry is going to rip your bullshit choices apart the next time you interact with him and boy do you need it.

[@plasticpoetpopstar]

How honest. Simply beautiful story.

[@kuvasz5252]

About 16 years ago I was heading to local pizza shop and noticed the car in front of me enter the parking lot of the shop with a dancing bear logo on their back window. A pile of people rolled out the car and entered the shop. I had been listening to one of my old, old tapes of the band and popped it out of the player, collected two more of my tapes of the band from '74 and entered the store to see the group sitting at a table. I walked up to them and gave one of the guys all three tapes and said, "enjoy!" Then I picked up my pizza waved to them and have never seen them since.

[@GKB80915]

When i die, bury me deep, place two speakers at my feet, put some headphones on my head and ALWAYS play The Grateful Dead! 💓🎶

[@DPJeffFeller]

....and rock me straight to the Grateful Dead

[@Gr8fullyDeadHead]

I guess “ To lay me down “ would be the song of choice?

[@stevierayripple]

@@Gr8fullyDeadHead Great one, "Black Peter" would also be fitting... Hell, play both .....

[@michaelc.ateoate979]

I love that!

[@pengue571]

Id play sing me back home ​@@Gr8fullyDeadHead

[@robertking7269]

Don’t sale yourself short Bobby. American Beauty and Workingmans Dead changed my life. Thanks for letting the tapers in because those songs did grow live.

[@mikehutton3187]

2 very good albums.

[@JamesSalie-m5l]

They just didn't like answering to studio executives. They went in the record studios mostly just to play with all the newest best equipment they didn't have. They were meant to play live they knew that was their specialty.

[@dominysynclair]

I know right? "We didn't make good records". That's ridiculous.

[@Debbie-vv8fw]

Thanks for the best concerts ❤

[@MsTdougherty]

Great interview. I’m 71 years old and I love The Dead!

[@JDTee79]

Stinks watching all these musicians passing away. That era of music from the 50’s - 70’s was something special. So many legendary bands. I was never a big dead fan but I appreciate their music and their contributions to rock and roll. Hopefully they’re influencing some kids today.

[@danceswithdogs2041]

Well... I guess eventually everything stinks😂... but something that stinks to high heaven is a creature that didn't look left, and it didn't look right... and there It is... squashed... a "Dead Skunk" in middle of the road... and in the grill of a family's 1964 Ford Falcon station wagon. We were on our way back across The US... and in the early hours of the morning as We crossed New Mexico my Mom was driving and hit a skunk... Phew!! What a relief when We found a carwash around Needles I'm guessing.

[@jimmirow]

It was the end of the road or so i thought in'95. I thought i knew absolutely everything about this band that seemed to follow me in high school and college. Well this story takes the cake, refreshingly. I had not known the detail of this intimate story of magic.

[@susiefairfield7218]

There is NOTHING like a GRATEFUL DEAD concert 🌈🔥🎶🎤🎸🥁🎹

[@peterbetts858]

🥁 🎤 🎸 🎹 💥⚡ 🌋 🍪 ☮

[@Gratefullydeceased]

I love Bobby so much 😭 The Dead means so much to me

[@patrickdelaney2299]

My dear gratefully, So Real! Truth is sweet Todd Rundgren , Daryl Hall

[@chris7brook]

Okay lady

[@Gratefullydeceased]

@ lol?

[@Gratefullydeceased]

@@patrickdelaney2299 I’m a younger Head but their music means so so much. I feel the community/family aspect and the music so deeply in my heart. 🖤💀 NFA ⚡️

[@rickkroll]

They're just great. I've been to Phish and Billy strings so far the music and the spirit is still alive. Keep your heart and mind open

[@as48507]

Dude entertained TF out of me!!!! Many times.. legendary jams… ⚡️

[@parttime9070]

Have made the effort to go hear him a few times over the years he always seemed real genuine in his presentation , this interview is no exception..

[@gr8ful244]

Amazing story.

[@BabsCote]

Great interview! 🙌

[@davidsthubbins176]

I had never heard that story about Bob and his dad.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Bob Weir is an open book, when he wants to be. Saw the Grateful Dead a bunch of times, about 50, and Mr. Weir was always front and center on the stage, Jerry was always on one side or the other, Bobby liked to be the "rock star" of the band. A very interesting story about his birth parents, I had no idea about that part of his life. Thanks Dan Rather.

[@whathappenedtofreethinking6902]

For those of you who never experienced the Grateful Dead and shakedown street……well ya just had to be there. Nothing like it in the world, and never will be again. Truly a one of a kind magic. Keep on rocking Bobby!

[@Pittie21]

I remember MAIL Order tix in the '80's. Decorating your envelope, helped. 😅

[@wirecutter59]

The first time I mail ordered tickets, I included a note saying it was my first time buying tickets that way, and if I messed up and made a mistake, would you be so kind as to overlook it? A few days later, I had front row seats at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View! Front row! For all three nights!

[@johnmusser8925]

Always got up front for my local shows

[@wayne-lj4in]

Thanks for this. Gads I totally forgot about doing that. Wow :>)

[@nolongerblocked6210]

What people don't understand is when Vince & Bruce joined the band in Fall '90, after Brent passed away, they were given equal pay to the other members & an equal voice/vote in all things having to do with the band. The band also gave their road crew equal voting rights when deciding the bands direction. So when Bobby says they were very democratic, he's being extremely honest. It's crazy to think but Vince & Bruce's opinions & votes were equal to Bobby, Billy, Mickey, Phil & Jerry's upon entering the band beyond description. I saw around 300 Grateful Dead shows & I can't explain how much I miss those times... the old saying/bumper sticker is very accurate: there truly is nothing like a Grateful Dead show 🕉🍄⚡️☯️☮️

[@paulmancini-sb9qn]

I’m not sure they are even Brett ever received equal pay - I read that Welnick received a Salary of $250 K when joining the Band I’m sure the other members were earning more than this per Year

[@peterbetts858]

@nolongerblocked6210 i laughed when morley asked Bobbie , why did u let the tapers ,tape you shows .Bobbie gave a sensible answer, but the real answer is because they were the Coolest , loving , unselfish , UuniQUE , vVERY Talented , Band Out There . ThEY Were amongest the BEST at What They Do , And SOMEDAYS THE BEST . i also Value and would go back in a Second to a day of entertainment from them and the people who followed them . Just thought id 🛑 n {{{ 🖐 , ✌. if yur ever on my road give me a holler .

[@direwolf6234]

@@peterbetts858 it's dan not morley ....

[@saxmidiman]

Doesn't talk like that make Phish phans queasy?🤣😶‍🌫😎

[@jimmirow]

@@nolongerblocked6210 I'm a little leary on the equal rights, salaries and voting. Unless, I was actually on Front Street at those meetings I'd think my opinion would be speculative. I'd be less reluctant to share my opinion as a factual thing. 1990 was charged with good sound some surprises in the littlest places like extending the bars(longer versions) to Cassidy or even hearing 1st set tunes in the second set plus getting a good schooling in gospel and doo whap with JGB is forever memorable.

[@professorg1440]

Though not technically a Dead album, Ace is by far my favorite Dead record. Great singer, songwriter and rhythm guitar player.

[@barryf5479]

Attended my first Dead concert in the early 70's. They are a backdrop to my life throughout the years. The same can be said with some of my friends. I have so many good memories of the shows from Long Beach California, to Winterland to Cal Expo. The Cal Expo shows were great. They allowed parking lot camping. I saw one group that set up a "living room" on the asphalt. 'Complete with a rug, a couch and a floor lamp. Grilled cheese sandwiches for sale and all kinds of other things. The State Police were really cool about it. One even had a Grateful Dead button on his uniform. I still have the T-shirt :-) Rex Foundation with the panther on the front. Heck, one of my dentists was even a Deadhead. When I die, I want Brokedown Palace played when they pour my ashes. "Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul". They are a legend.

[@gmanhirt8818]

a girl on my route was one of the top tapers in the grateful dead community she had a microphone she bought from Japan where she hung around her neck and stood where the sound booth was and got crystal clear recordings from the so-called sweet spot

[@bobwho2454]

My favorite Bob Weir interview and some of Dan Rather's best work.

[@jukejointjack]

You made some of my favorite records 🎸🤙

[@Terp311]

_Wrong._

[@greggtrubee9565]

Good for you Bob for reaching out to both of your parents. Took a lot of guts. I will always be Gratefully Dedicated.

[@neilh9442]

"Right out of readers digest SHIT."....say it Bob! 😂 He's not wrong 😊

[@KeyserSoze685]

All I can say is when I use to mail order I would put a note to "please give me floor seats for 1 night" and.....they always did ✌️😎....Thanks Dead Family....I like to think, they read my note lol

[@Mark-ts5pd]

GREAT interview

[@TheFlutecart]

Awesome interview.

[@patrickdelaney2299]

Thank you Bobby, for these amazing lookbacks Santa Cruz 70s!lets live iur lives together Turlock Love!

[@Jonesnaltitude]

Bobby is a neat guy

[@Forward-t7x]

I saw him in Indiana in 2023 at Farm Aid… wow what a treat to see a living legend.

[@jimmirow]

@@Forward-t7x I was sad to not be able to volunteer on that one. Came and went like a bird that flew. Did you catch the BRiver>dkstar and so much more in Nobelsville?

[@Forward-t7x]

@@jimmirowno I didn’t, what is that? I only found out about Farm Aid on a Neil Young sub, yea it was quickly announced and sold out, I got a ticket lawn ticket/ volunteer gig even before I was sure I wanted to do it, because I knew I had to make a decision that afternoon after it was announced. One of the only times I’ve ever jumped on something that quickly. I got lucky… not a big concert goer but I didn’t want the regret of hearing about it after the fact… If anything cool happens again in Indy in this genre, I’m down. Hippies unite!

[@jimmirow]

@@Forward-t7x I was only referencing Dead and Company at Deer Creek. That was a cool story btw about how that panned out-Farm Aid for you

[@chrismckis6843]

Greatest story ever told ❤

[@Slowhand871]

I’ve never been a fan but I certainly enjoy a few songs. Always kinda envious of the Dead community.

[@ozwzrd]

Good interview.

[@harrymills2770]

"Cast your bread upon the water." The fan loyalty generated by their openness, including the DAT daisy chain, was a big part of it. But the base-level attraction was the performances, which were great. I live in rural Idaho, and I knew 20 Dead-Heads, whose idea of a good summer was following The Dead on tour, catching as many shows as possible. The lore of the different, exceptional shows, was known to millions. Dead Heads shared their recordings for free, the same way The Dead shared the feed directly off their sound board. I think their album sales still did pretty well, but they sold out every show for decades, and they played the biggest venues.

[@redmoondesignbeth9119]

I was there for the last show. Not a Dead Head but my friends were and they kidnapped me so I could help drive. We left from Chicago. Got to Vermont. DC. NYC. It was the Best of Times and the Worst of Times...and we heard Jerry had passed and we headed home. One memory was me wandering over to the field to watch and they opened the show for everyone. I turned around and saw a stampede coming over the hill so I got out of there.

[@ohprudence]

There was a time in my life when a Grateful Dead concert was home to me.

[@noogie1]

9.24.72 best Grateful Dead show

[@DFazio-t8m]

You can't judge a Dead show from just looking at its song list that's the beauty of allowing taping and the whole live Dead show scene. You have to listen to it and better yet goto a show.

[@namcat53]

What an astounding story.

[@michaelardieta-l9w]

Amazing!!

[@jerlewis4291]

I had a friend who had a years worth of shows that recorded straight from the soundboard. I had copies and lost them all when my car was stolen

[@Grateful_Dad_54]

Thank you, Bobby! ✌🏻💀

[@rayworby5800]

There not the best at what they do, there the only ones that do what they do!!! Bill Graham. What a long, strange trip it's been! Thank you Bobby and all the Boys, for the Great Times!!!❤❤❤☮🐸

[@barryf5479]

I saw them play at Bill Graham's memorial on the polo fields of Golden Gate Park. Great show and great times.

[@davidantonsavage6207]

What's the frequency Kenneth?

[@damnright4]

I remember mail order tix in the 80s and Ticketron before that.. Could do the whole tour for a reasonable amount of money.. . That was when going to see the Grateful Dead was affordable. Now its just ridiculous. Its for the rich. But what a wonderful story, brought a tear to my eye.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Love the Pat The Patriot Stealie logo. Damnright4. Go Pats! Keep on Truckin'!

[@OFF-GRIDPhenohunt]

Jerry was the man!

[@GreatMooglyGoogly]

Unbroken Chain was the best possible choice for that story!

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

Driving that train high on cocaine priceless

[@jimwilson8879]

Waycool Bob, you were lucky to have that family who raised you, and were also able to meet and know your Dad

[@patlatorres7000]

Bill Graham once said of the Dead, "They're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones who do what they do!"

[@thomasmazur6916]

And yet there are still a bunch of shows to be watched.

[@patrickdelaney2299]

In the smouldering heap of anerica, Grateful Dead is rhe Phoenix!

[@awrogers3013]

Innovation across the board……so critical to every touring act

[@papersleeves]

Helll ya Mary is best 🙌🏽

[@timx1733]

"Intertwined in American history, for about a half of a century..." Indeed! Most people don't understand how much influence they've had on American culture.

[@TheMiddleAgedMusician-mc6xo]

"We don't make great records" - while I get his point (and Dick's Picks demonstrates), American Beauty and Workingman's Dead ARE classics.

[@Qhgtygy12]

What's that song in the video? ( Found it... unbroken chain)

[@johncordes7885]

I still have over 300 cassettes , thank you tapers

[@ronwade2206]

The last minute of this interview tells it all, the Grateful Dead were a Live Band that didn't care about Recordings

[@aviduser1961]

4:56 Flash frame. Please fix and re-upload.

[@GRATEFULFORTHEDEAD-zj3mb]

The best band that never was..

[@abraxas511]

Great story, now do another one but this time tell the story of what happened to Jerrys beloved guitars after his death.

[@Boognishx89]

ABSOLUTE LEGENDS IN EVERY FACET IMAGINABLE ❤❤ GODS AMONGST PEASANTS 😂😂

[@w5winston]

Ticket master had a carveout for GD tix. They tough everyone else

[@liamsdad33]

With bobby in charge its charge as much as possible and then play at 1/4 speed 😂😂

[@j7cc]

I don't care what anybody says? I wish I was in California ! ✌️💀🌹

[@patrickdelaney2299]

I Too was dragged in the bus by my very dear brother Born in San Francisco, a link in rhe unbroken chain, truly, mi amigo, I had no idea Love is real Love conquers all Neul Young Ill look for you un Turlock, well get us one of those cowboy breakfast, daybreak upon the land, Everyone of us playing in the Heart of Gold band

[@ldhorricks]

Dan Rather has conducted some iconic interviews...before RIck Beato became the Guru of Music Interviews.

[@edlawrence5059]

Bob looks like Maximilian Schell in The Black Hole.

[@lovermansmith9082]

😊

[@kirbyharness9696]

Is that the Bolo bus or the Bozo bus?

[@johnnyd63]

The Deadful Grate.

[@dominysynclair]

I was accidentally with Bob the day Jerry died.

[@jamesreilly7684]

The dead are an example of good faith capitalism. Do right by your fans, treat your partners well, do you best... and the result is happy customers and well earned success.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Samuel Clemens meets Uncle Sam

[@OGRE_HATES_NERDS]

why are they asking him the same questions for 50 years in a row

[@markmarsh27]

Dan Rather's Rockstar Interviews are the best Bio-Journalism we've ever seen. He is truly The Master.

[@direwolf6234]

has this been heavily edited ?? .. rather just jumps from question to question with no follow-up to dig deeper .. disappointing ..

[@BaronVonSchneider]

" We were real good at playing live" 😂 🤪 as long as you were on enough drugs!

[@DavidMcCaffery-t8g]

Dan👎

[@Kingmongoose]

Bob didn’t talk about keeping Jerry hooked on heroin and manipulated him to keep touring with the dead when he just wanted to slow down and do his own thing

[@nasticanasta]

grateful dead had outrageous ticket prices and they are scalped bigtime charging thousands for one ticket. And people scalped recordings too! My brother was a deadhead for a while, thank god he got out of that cult. Yes it's really not about the music, but more the party. I first saw them in 75 I think it was, and there were no 'hippies' it was all bikers in leather.

[@ManBolo5432]

Poor you

[@stevierayripple]

You sure didn't go to the same shows I went to. All 55 of them

[@ceeweedsl]

Hope you can find goodness somewhere if not this

[@ronwade2206]

The phish suck

[@Pealottconfused]

By the way. Bob Weir is so F ing COOL. Really happy this band is getting such International recognition now. They deserve it all. Peace up. 🌴✌️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️🏄‍♂️✌️🌴