DOCUMENTING THE GRATEFUL DEAD SCENE: 1988 - 1990

A film by Rod Agras

[@TheTinyAutistsGuideToTheGalaxy]

Thankfully the tapers preserved this music for all of time. We seriously owe them a debt of gratitude .

[@mcdaniels6188]

You are absolutely right. The Dead's music so needs to be preserved. If anyone, the Dead's music is so singularly worth being documented because it is what this scene centers around.

[@goodwi11]

I hope every second of footage like this ends up on KZbin eventually.

[@axm4732]

You got it!. On the YT. Accurate doc.

[@Type-zg8mu]

Me too!

[@DaveTomahawk]

This is simply incredible. I was born in 1993 I know it’s cliche but I think I was meant for the generation before me.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

We were thinking the same thing, Wow, to see the Grateful Dead in the 60s and 70s.. Dark Star every other night ?? No way!!!

[@lideadhead]

I really missed those days. I got on the bus at 17 in 1993. This era of the dead will always hold a place in my heart forever. Hope you are all safe and well today.

[@teresathomley3703]

I hope you're safe and well as well.

[@hlahla9479]

I admire the dedication, it’s their life. The music, the scene, the traveling, insane and magical. Great capture of a moment in time 💎

[@aWomanFreed]

Going to these shows was an event. You didn’t arrive at 6pm for an 8pm show, they’d open the lot at 10am or noon so shakedown street could be set up. You didn’t need to have tickets to get into the parking lot, so many ppl went just to hang out and party all day long. The parking lot scene was as incredible as the shows were. You could find anything no matter your age, everyone was like under a spell to be cool with each other and the cops stayed outside the lot. Then, it started to change in the 90s and there were more scammers and local ppl selling fake tickets and fake drugs, and cops started going undercover to bust kids drinking and stuff. These shows were like another world and it was so much fun while it lasted.

[@djinnmagik2003]

Perfectly "put!" I was happy I was able to enjoy it when I was a teenager 😁❤️‍🔥🎶 RIP JERRY GARCIA (the day the muzik died)

[@markkindermannart4028]

Accurate!

[@jenhasken]

What is shakedown street?

[@markkindermannart4028]

@@jenhasken It's what they call the area for merchants these days in Dead world. I don't remember ever calling it that in the 80s when I saw tons of shows. We just called it the lot, and it wasn't a designated area, it was everywhere!

[@christopherazoti1785]

It changed in 89 at the Civic Arena Pittsburgh when the cops busted almost everybody including people's heads I was close to getting pinched but the cop gave my friend and i a pass.

[@somepig2k]

I am equal parts excited and terrified watching this for cameos by dear old friends and myself...for this scene, it's like the difference between memories and evidence :)

[@markkindermannart4028]

I feel ya!

[@GrahamBo44]

...find any of yah in there?!?

[@pibarrante6901]

Remember that blonde haired dude - we called him The Caterpillar - becaz he would traverse the entire arenas over seats... he would go EVERYWHERE.. over the rows

[@markkindermannart4028]

@@pibarrante6901 man, I think I do remember

[@bbrack123]

I would like to point out how kind and supportive the two gentlemen sounded at about the 40 minutes mark when asked about the newer dead fans and paraphrasing said that the newer fans were great and were basically getting the "message" and that the scene in his opinion was "better" it really reminded me how patient,kind and supportive allot of the older tour heads would be to the younger members of the family i was 22 years old in 1988 and was at the least in every city the band played in 87,88,89 and so on and i can assure you that i most certainly raised a few eyebrows in the lot or inside the show and was supported and yep mentored by men allot like them... we talk allot about drugs the partying freedom to travel but I thought i would kinda publicly say thanks to all them "older tour peeps" who I learned allot about life from and try to find the good in the current state of the "lot" weather its phish fans or dead related or any of the many musical choices we have today sometimes , at now 55 years old i can be lil impatient with fans in our scene or less understanding but i need to remember that" they're getting the message" thats all will say though Pittsburgh civic arena shows the year they played it during a summer tour was some of the most vicious police brutality i had ever personally witnessed !!!!those cops wer the worst

[@jokun1201]

Not only do I remember these shows but I made the video cut in ATL on fools day around those poles for the drum circle. Such awesome memories and time of our lives. So lucky we were to have seen Jerry. 💙Be Kind ❤️

[@chinarider2778]

Not a phone anywhere! Loved it!

[@user-dc1dr9kr8x]

That's fair and unfair at the same time......

[@whowantsmypants8888]

They weren't mobile yet. Do you really believe no one would use cellphones if smartphones were available in the late 80s? Smartphones are way too coinvent. I agree it's better being in the moment but this was just a point in time. It's not the phones fault lol

[@ChristianRaymondFilms]

They didn’t make iPhone back then

[@fanda6122]

90s dead scene was straight fecal lolll

[@ChristianRaymondFilms]

@@fanda6122 how did it change from previous years ?

[@samjames2552]

Good job producing this independent video! Now it's a snapshot into a concert environment that can't be replaced!

[@joecopeland998]

Happy to have started touring during this time. Thank you for this footage!

[@T23000PLUS]

I loved this. It is better than the several other "Tour" docs. Thanks !

[@tonywilfong5409]

Those 3 years were great years for us and grateful dead some of the best shows

[@MattyP7777]

Wow. Thanks Bubs. Those were some of my first shows. Great times!!!!!!!!

[@agropsychonaut]

ditto

[@youtubejunkie8053]

And here we are in 2024 and the music has never stopped. The idea is the same, it’s just time that has changed.

[@mcdaniels6188]

The people interviewed, although 10 years younger than I, have insight and perspective that makes me proud to have been an active participant in this scene. For about five years my life pretty much revolved around the Dead. There were many rewards in doing so. The woman at 45:51 is so representative of Dead Heads. Whoever you are, I LOVE YOU!!!

[@MorningView4]

Live in Pittsburgh. Love The Dead. Very cool seeing how the scene was at the igloo. Too bad I was only a year old when this happened. ❤️⚡️💙

[@JubeProductions]

This video encapsulates this time and place so well. I saw my first show in 1987 and went to a bunch in Philly area from then to about 1992. When I watch this video I can smell the patchouli and feel the vibes and I think I hear the faint call of, "doses, doses, doses". There was nothing like it then, and there will never be anything like it again. Where did it go?

[@orgelssecondrule9221]

Ice cold imports

[@JubeProductions]

@@orgelssecondrule9221 domestics were $1 and imports $2. Always bought a couple Nukes (Newcastle Brown Ale) for the lot.

[@youtubejunkie8053]

The bus is still here brother, the ideas, the love, the doses, the energy is still alive and well. The only thing that has changed is the people & the surroundings. Old heads in the late 80’s and 90’s were saying the exact same thing, the scene had changed so much since the 70’s and early 80’s. Nothing ever stays the same in life.

[@SurfSarge]

@@orgelssecondrule9221 hahahaha that was one of my gigs for a brief period of time..I was working at a liquor store at the time

[@orgelssecondrule9221]

@@SurfSarge my friemd was so dosed in atlanta stopped in the middle of shake down and started screamin ICE COLD IMORTS. ICE COLD IMPORTS!

[@patswayze7359]

im from Pittsburgh and i remember when they use too come to town,it was always crazy,thanks for this

[@I_do.not_fearyou]

4:16 I just know this man's been to every show since 67

[@finnmcginn9931]

34 years since 1990. 34 years before 1990 was 1956. Don't mind me, just trying to figure out where the time goes.

[@Honey-Sanchez]

Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving...Ah, but then you know it's time for them to go...but I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving...I do not count the time For who knows where the time goes? Who knows where the time goes?

[@JayRiemenschneider]

I'm doing that all the time. At 56 years old, 9/11 is closer to 4th grade than it is to now. That's terrifying

[@JubeProductions]

I thought I was the only one who compared time like that. It's wild to think in 1990, if I looked at video from 1956 it would seem like ancient history, but this video seems like yesterday because I was there.

[@205redwood]

Oh oh what I want to know oh Where does the time go

[@pibarrante6901]

​@@JayRiemenschneideri was in grad school at 36 or so on 9/11... darn you

[@granddaddyminx6748]

Well done and documented. Spread the love with inn humanity.

[@agropsychonaut]

Thanks guys. i was beginning to forget...

[@moniquelujan6877]

My first show was in 88, 14years old snd completely sober. The live music and the people infected me with goodness and sold to the scene I was. NFA 🌹

[@MarazMuzik]

Cool documentary. I'm a guitar player that learned to play Dead from from some Deadheads and it changed my life. Jerry is my guitar hero. I'm learning the trivia, culture and stories along the way

[@GioYoLOL]

Thank you for sharing this and thank you to the film makers!

[@biffjohnson2076]

This video is incredible. I'm a GD fan, but never made it to a show. But I can say, these folks are very similar to the people you'd meet at a Phish show. Thank you so much for producing and sharing this!

[@mystic-jeff]

YUK..THIS IS nothing LIKE THAT PH TRASH..WELL, ACTUALLY BY THE LATE 80'S YEAH IT WAS A JOKE. BUT PLEASE DOPNT PUT those 2 in the same sentence. ph are wannabes

[@michaelbrinks8089]

I've been to about 6 or 7 GD shows but only 1 Phish show in alpine Valley.

[@briancorliss3946]

I’m glad I came across this, very well done,, I’m so grateful the scene is still going on because that’s what Jerry wanted to accomplish with the Grateful Dead and he did. Sadly, I was just a bit too young to be on tour or have gotten into the scene. I should say at this time, but since the Brent ears are my favorite, these people were extremely lucky!

[@bunnybeckman8029]

I love this because we r family forever ❤️🐰🌹🐇☮️✌️🕊😘

[@freehomefinds7552]

I have to watch every second to look for folks I toured with!

[@checkpointchecky9665]

That walking blues brings goose bumps I think I was there Bobby forgot the words

[@SurfSarge]

This is great...thanks for sharing! I remember I got interviewed at the Spectrum one time!

[@Bonniem191]

Super sweet spot in my heart. Miracle ticket and all East Coast shows. Peace

[@grizzkid795]

I remember going to shows about that time and most of the crowd was younger than me. Now those "kids" are in their 50's, but it seems like just a few years ago.

[@Casitascrawlers]

I live & grew up in Ventura they would come every tear for years for us residents it was very interesting to say the least it was more then a concert it felt like a festival not only inside but outside people came from all over & parked & camped at whit is called Surfers Point. It seemed like a simpler time & I miss that.

[@JeffStorey-f4n]

I'm😮from So Cal. Went to 3 weekends at Ventura Beach. Good times.

[@bfgivmfith]

I have always loved the Dead and their music. I have tripped balls in my youth! Big time! :) Never been to a show, never much of a follower. Saw Crosby Stills Nash and Young once, that was cool. I think what it all about is just people wanting to be people. Trying to enjoy life before corporate America steals your soul in order to live in the U.S. I work, I pay taxes, I have a farm and take care of animals in need. Do you think my Mortgage company cares about me? LOL! They just want my land.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

Clever edits from cop saying “don’t bother me!” to Bertha “test me/arrest me”, and after the dude from Oregon offers up the Wheel lyrics cut to the wheelchair. The “a little wilder” cop answer cut to Hell In A Bucket too. Well done, the entire piece! Thank you! Plus a non Mandela Effected VW logo in that final shot! I mean Mandela Effect or not, there’s no way the VW logo always had that stupid dash between the two letters.

[@jahozer]

I was there during this period and whenever I see footage like this I'm surprised at how unwookish the crowd is. I was young too, but they were all just cute little babies!

[@Cassius3745]

wookish??

[@seasons1650]

I think people forget that that generation's dad's had beards, and nobody wants to look like their parents.

[@sherifox2612]

Wookish!!! 😂 So totally true. Pre-wook era. Just Peace Pot and Microdot!!

[@ChristianRaymondFilms]

@@Cassius3745a name for new age phish people, they call them wooks

[@SouthernVermontVintage]

Wookish 😆 you all don't even know your vocabulary.

[@MichaelMillsap-g8p]

The soundtrack of my life, and my favorite part so far!!!

[@GratefulFed]

Beautiful film in every way

[@edwardschmitt5710]

I toured 87-when Gerry passed. Then yeah I see the rest of them ever since but THIS, this can't be duplicated, and I was THERE!!!!

[@cherrypickerguitars]

My niece and her husband met on Dead tours about this time -1988. They were both UBC students at the time, and Mellisa stoped at Tony’s “Juice Wagon” for a fresh OJ. They got married 10 yrs later, and divorced 12 yrs after that! Ahhhh….the Dead. Peace

[@DaveLowenstein]

Boston accent on the guy at 12:10 is epic

[@evythefish21]

Lack of wooks is impressive. I started seeing them in 93. Definitely more sightings.

[@declanpatrickmacmanus5416]

I saw 10 shows total and all between 88-90, never listened to the Dead before or after....so weird to find this.

[@pipestone67]

Capital Center twice and RFK stadium. The best party I have ever been to. All 3 during that period.

[@subliminalvibrations7976]

Excellent work.

[@molliedash6126]

This was fun to watch since I was there, but not there. My friends and I were college students- had neither the time nor the money to check out the scene. We went just for the shows!

[@wallacerotternaut]

“If you wanna go see a Mike & the Mechanics concert, you can!” Classic Josh Browne!

[@CounselingCoachDavid]

Awwwwwwweeeeeeeesome!!!! Thank you!!!! ❤❤

[@A_New_Yorker_Lost_In_Florida]

i was there for this, and i was there for that and forever ill remain a grateful trippy hepcat ill always wave that flag as a grateful freakin head, even well after im old & grey, even well after im made dead.

[@Stonecrow25]

Notice how normal everyone is dressed back then. Now it’s like people wear costumes

[@darthvegan435]

Like at 37:02? not a costume at all.... Seriously I think there was as much of that then as now, this guy just didn't film much of it..

[@Stonecrow25]

@@darthvegan435 right understood, there was plenty, but it got worse year after year to the point if you weren’t confirming you were looked at Ada custie

[@evertking1]

Don't judge and just live man

[@traebee333]

Lighten up, man. Costumes are fun. Who cares what people want to wear, self expression is a GOOD thing, ya old fuddy duddy 😄

[@traebee333]

What is "normal" anyway? Normal is boring af

[@tourhead]

Very cool!! Thanks for this! -Nordy

[@susiefairfield7218]

🌹❤️⚡️💙You know our love will not fade away 🤘🏼🎸🔥🎵🎵🎵💃

[@jimmeisnerjr]

I was there. I love the music, especially Hunter’s lyrics, but many of these people remind me of what I didn’t like about many of these people.

[@markkindermannart4028]

1988 was sort of the beginning of the end of the good old days and good they were. Those times of freedom chasing the Dead around chilling with all the mellow heads are gone forever. It's so mellow there. No homeless tweakers, head bangers, blue haired ravers, pierced everthing'ers. Just simple times with simple people. I had so much fun back then without a care in the world!

[@fordummieslikeme7575]

23:43 "Rumor has it Phils' leaving the band after New Year's…" Glad that didn't happen! 😁

[@erichanhauser3190]

I heard it was after the Eugene shows 90.

[@briandrum1]

Phil even addressed it at a show later that year on stage. He literally said that there’s rumors going around that he’s quoting the band….and that the rumors are bullshit! 😂

[@bellelynnscheller5592]

The closest experience to this today is going to a festival, a real small grass roots one too. they’re all a good time🥰

[@yourmomma2995]

those were the best of times, man, i need to quit living in the past, and try to make some new awesome memories.

[@williamwendel286]

Join the phish pham. Just came back from Colorado it was incredible

[@HeadNtheClouds]

I was in Long Beach, CA in 88-90 shows!❤

[@Jerry-b7f]

I seen a lot of these shows this year🎉🎉

[@TylerMac-x4z]

I love the people. I’ve had friends my whole life who are life long dead heads. Traveled in Vans listening, but I could never find any enjoyment in this music. I’ve been to Festivals and shows every time this music comes I cringe in pain. Even on Mushrooms, acid or ecstasy I still cannot find enjoyment in this music. It just seems terrible. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to listen to a full song and smile in my lifetime.

[@jeannieerickson278]

Then why come here? Makes no sense.

[@TheGravygun]

You best be moving on Punk

[@Panic4Pleasure]

Hey pal, I don’t believe you

[@bunnybeckman8029]

I met Phil & Bobby in 1978 then in 1980 I met them all ❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🐇🐰☮️✌️🕊😘

[@streetvan1997]

Man lot was so preppie back then! But I guess makes sense. The band was super popular at that time. Selling out stadiums. It was actually cool to be a deadhead. It just kept growing from around this period until the end. As someone who started seeing lot around 96 irs shocking to see how different the types of people were by 96. Lot more hardcore heads. Way more dreadies. A lot of these interviews look like high school kids who are from in town. Which is cool too. I so wish I was on these tours. God damn the dead was on fire from 87-90 when Brent died. Especially 89 and 90. So Fing good. Wish I was born least a decade earlier. Kills me I just missed out. I was born in 1980.. although I really missed by a lot. Btw all the “Phil love” was such a niche thing. I mean yes Phil is the Fing man as far as talent. I would put him second to Jerry. In Brent years him and Brent were pretty close. But Jerry was by far the real talent. No band or musician has ever touched me even close to like Jerry

[@thig2148]

It was a blast. Made my way selling very fine juice.

[@kurtstengel8699]

2 buds for $3, 1 for $2. Paid for my tix, food, and gas while on tour with the GD. While in college and just planning on going to 1 show in Gboro, NC....ending up in Wisconsin for a 4 night engagement w/ Bob Dylan opening up as an example. All you had to do was sit on a cooler and meet new folks that appreciated the price and convenience. How did I graduate?

[@gratefulfloyd1]

The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. George Orwell, 1984

[@Tombzy]

I saw them in 1990, my buddy and I snuck into the concert in Hamilton, Ontario.

[@jeannieerickson278]

Historic show of Lore. Loose Lucy....'nuf said!

[@wangson]

As much as I love the Dead, and as great and as amazing I believe they are, MAN ALIVE!!! Did they ever have a hard time performing the harmonies in Uncle John's Band when playing it live!! I've heard so many different versions and all of them sound pretty rough! Same thing with, "...And We Bid You Goodnight" (although the very short, edited version at the end of Live Dead sounds pretty good).

[@wowwhywow]

at 38:50 they interview a person named SKYEAGLE...he was a friend of mine at the 1981 Washington rainbow gathering of the tribes...he stayed my friend when I went to live in Santa Cruz...and on Dec 31 1981, SKYEAGLE was responsible for obtaing a "I need a miracle" ticket for me to see the Dead at oakland collisuem...SKYEAGLE is a very very good person. I should also mention that although I'm not a complete DEADHEAD superfan...I've seen them 6 times...and 2 of those concerts were I need a miracle tickets...what a long strange...blah blah blah...lol

[@fordummieslikeme7575]

15:06 "why people are coming" That's easy it's like church for people that get high and like psychedelic music and want to be around others with similar interests and there's a kindness vibe that was unmatched… Not to mention the girls with the hairy legs got a love it!

[@DarrenChapman-c3l]

Did a west coast tour in 94 or 95. Was a KY kid hitching around and that is where the wind blew me. Eventually took to the punk scene more though. Had more of an edge that I liked. Switch blades and leather jackets were more appealing to me than hippy love shit and unshaved armpits. But I still love the Dead. I love their music.

[@fuji4202]

Good o dayz. Real Shakedown street . That was a party itself. Vibe and energy 🍄⚡️🌹

[@daveyboy8907]

yep Its all over now unfortunately ,,Bobby sold them out.

[@fuji4202]

@@daveyboy8907 kind agree went to the Las Vegas Sphere show for the Rich Heads . But experience Sphere pretty cool 😎.

[@daveyboy8907]

Yeah I went to 4 dead and company shows in Chicago and 2 nights at alpine valley and it was cool but really made me miss the 80s shows.

[@groovescape3252]

This is amazing - there I am!

[@brianjorn5230]

Too bad Jerry didnt live longer. What could have been. Ya know? This lovely atmosphere would have continued. Nuthing like it!! Those were good times.

[@fordummieslikeme7575]

30:49 I get crabby too when I don't have my donuts… Lol

[@grizzkid795]

Poor guy, just couldn't get a ticket.

[@fordummieslikeme7575]

now in my 50s I sing… "At least I'm enjoying some pie " 🥧🍰

[@LMGAries]

_Thank you_

[@nebulaquinn]

Let Phil sing 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@madelineduffy4751]

That's my dad at minute 24!!! omg.

[@OlatheNova]

5:03 "One for $10 or Two for $25" 😮 sounds like a Bargain

[@johnstallings4049]

I was on this tour for 3 weeks( 1990 & @ ¶ittsburg PA 1989 2)! Time of my life! 🥀🤣💕 ''...test me test me! Why don't you arrest me?!" "It costs money to be here so why not make money while we're here"?!!" ⭐🎵⭐💕🥀🌍🥀ps the dood that's saying ' it's the best live show you can ever see in your entire life!' is Ned Anderson...my roommate @ the time! ( his name is NOT Sean!. ...& idk why he even said that!) ❄️🌎❄️❣️😜👌❣️

[@helbitkelbit1790]

Are you sure that was Ned ? It does look a lot like him . By the way , I was your roommate at the time !

[@jstantino]

2:29 is that the photographer Bob Minkin?

[@AllenBArmstrong]

Help Slipknot Franklins Tower and has been played so many times that it is distorted, about 3x normal speed.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

Everybody was super chill and laissez-faire until the 30:50 mark. I guess channel 21 really gets under people’s skin!

[@אדווהבירן]

טסתי לראות אותם באותן שנים! מישראל!! הייתי בת 20....

[@CoreyHelton-m6x]

My first show was alpine valley 1988

[@georgewashington3393]

My girlfriend is 24 years older than me, I always see if I can spot her in these videos lol

[@fortytwocrayons3485]

Where is Father Rainbow today, that is what I need to know ❤

[@drewbonsall384]

Those years were very special you had to be there and I'm glad I was I always remember coming out of the showes and just seeing everyone's eyes so big and the haze and going back to the hotel get up And do it all over again one thing i regret there was this red head i used to see in the hall wvays and never had the balls to grt to know her my high school gym teacher was a head

[@IowaMan]

ah man is this the one with the kid that has all the sega games but no sega??? i felt so bad for that kid when i was watching this with my dad..

[@MercedesDenz]

A genuine good time. With actual genuine people. This is the last gen @19:30 Like they say

[@amandasanza1109]

I wonder where these people are today

[@stevensocher852]

They all work at google

[@joeryan1369]

Well, I am in Columbus, Ohio. I am not in the Pittsburgh part 1988 because I don't remember when we got there. We didn't get tickets, but we were at Buckeye Lake the evening before.

[@deadexplorations7439]

Well , I’m sure many have passed on, or left the scene after Jerry died, or, maybe still going strong at Dead & Co shows and other GD spin-off groups.

[@whatsinaname6745]

I’m 52 and just saw 4 nights of Billy Strings in CT & MA…. I was at the Buffalo 90 show in this vid! 🫠🫠

[@ericsaylor5722]

Right here, right now.

[@beckwil0852]

Am I the only child of the 60’s who just never got into them? I love almost every genre of music and I grew up with the best music ever composed but this band just never did it for me.

[@speddytaghetti7905]

Yeah. You kinda missed out darling. It’s a feeling that’s “in” you from the first notes, if you didn’t feel it you certainly cant force it.

[@missyounorm33]

I don’t miss the drug induced psycho babble of some deadheads. Loved the ride and I miss Jer Peace

[@ericsaylor5722]

I miss listening to tripping people, making an attempt to explain the ineffable. Maybe you can’t understand it, or groove on it, but collectively that’s the people’s voice. We are a psychedelic community.

[@PeakIntoTomorrow]

3-30-88 Cassidy was my first dose of happiness God is good and so was Jerry Bobby Phil Mickey Billy Since the end is never told

[@skianddie]

Ahh yes....the days. Actually I was in the Army then, but I would get a pass for "family in town"

[@Baking_baked]

5:03 1 for 10. 2 for 25. Gotta love a bargain

[@rodgnarley4986]

STILL TRUCKIN 2024 ❤ NFA

[@Petequinn741]

Was at these shows..