Early Film Of The Grateful Dead 1967 San Francisco Summer Of Love

Here is the full video -
• The Complete Summer Of...
The Grateful Dead were an iconic American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. Known for their eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, country, and jazz, they became a central figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The band's core lineup consisted of Jerry Garcia (lead guitar, vocals), Bob Weir (rhythm guitar, vocals), Phil Lesh (bass, vocals), Bill Kreutzmann (drums), and later members such as Mickey Hart (drums) and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (keyboards, harmonica, vocals).
The Summer of Love, when as many as 100,000 people, mostly young hippies, converged on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. This event marked the height of the counterculture movement and the rise of the hippie ethos, emphasizing peace, love, and communal living.
One of the notable events during the Summer of Love was the Grateful Dead's free concert in Golden Gate Park. These free concerts were a hallmark of the time, symbolizing the ideals of the counterculture-community, accessibility, and a break from the commercialization of music.
The audience at these concerts was diverse but predominantly consisted of young people, many of whom were part of the burgeoning hippie movement. They wore colorful, often homemade clothing, adorned with beads, flowers, and other symbols of the peace and love ethos. People from various walks of life attended, including students, artists, musicians, and activists. The atmosphere was one of unity and shared experience, with attendees often engaging in communal activities such as dancing, sharing food, and participating in spontaneous artistic expressions.
The Grateful Dead's performances in Golden Gate Park were characterized by long, improvisational jams that became a signature of their live shows. The music created a sense of community and connection among the audience. People danced freely, often in a style known as "hippie dancing," which involved flowing, unstructured movements that mirrored the free-spirited nature of the event.
These concerts were not just musical events but cultural gatherings that promoted the values of the counterculture. They featured not only the Grateful Dead but also other artists and speakers who advocated for peace, civil rights, and environmentalism. The concerts were marked by a palpable sense of camaraderie and collective joy, despite the occasional presence of law enforcement and the challenges posed by the large crowds.
Country Joe and the Fish were a psychedelic rock band formed in Berkeley, California, in 1965. The band was led by Joe McDonald (vocals, guitar) and Barry "The Fish" Melton (lead guitar, vocals). Known for their satirical lyrics, political activism, and experimental sound, they were prominent figures in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Their most famous song, "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-to-Die Rag," became an anti-Vietnam War anthem, showcasing their commitment to activism and protest through music.
In the summer of 1967, Country Joe and the Fish performed a notable concert in Golden Gate Park, located in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco. This area was the epicenter of the counterculture movement, attracting thousands of young people who sought an alternative lifestyle based on peace, love, and communal living.
Country Joe and the Fish's performance was marked by their signature blend of energetic, psychedelic rock and politically charged lyrics. The band played a mix of their well-known songs and extended improvisational jams, creating a vibrant and immersive musical experience.
The concert fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose among the attendees. People danced freely, often in spontaneous and uninhibited styles, reflecting the liberating ethos of the era. The atmosphere was one of celebration and collective joy, with the music serving as both a rallying cry for political change and a soundtrack for the counterculture lifestyle.
In addition to the music, the event featured various forms of artistic expression, including impromptu poetry readings, art displays, and communal activities. Attendees shared food, engaged in discussions about social and political issues, and participated in various forms of communal living.
The concert in Golden Gate Park was more than just a musical event; it was a cultural happening that encapsulated the ideals of the Summer of Love. It demonstrated the power of music as a force for social change and community building, leaving a lasting impact on those who attended and the broader counterculture movement.

[@RAEckart22]

Just so everyone knows, there is earlier footage of the Dead performing at the Acid Tests in 1966 & other concert footage from fall 1966, but this is still VERY early footage, You have to remember that this is the most recorded band of all time & they had people all around them preserving what they did from the beginning.

[@muffinman9462]

theres earlier footage on bbc on wickers world

[@gregdahlen4375]

why did they have people from the beginning?

[@4Naturalgreen]

So many people around them recording from the very beginning, so why is there so little film of them throughout their career? Especially the early days? It makes no sense. Everyone acknowledged the importance of capturing and recording as much of this band as possible. Yet, for some odd reason, so few had access to a video camera. Isn’t it kinda weird? I’d love to know why important, milestone shows weren’t filmed. Or were they? I personally believe there is a lot more that has never been seen before. For example, I’ve never seen the footage of Country Joe & The Fish shown here. There must be more where that came from, wherever it came from. Again, kinda weird that nobody ever bothered to show that footage before.

[@ziggiezaggie]

I'm a Deadhead, my first show was front row at the Boston garden,we even named our daughter "Althea" after one of their songs ⚡🐻💀🐢🌹

[@djchaiwallah]

Have you seen Dead and Co. at The Sphere? Mindbending venue

[@ziggiezaggie]

@@djchaiwallah I'd love to, we caught them a few years back at Gillette stadium for an amazing night of music 🎶

[@djchaiwallah]

@@ziggiezaggie If you are able to make a trip out there they're playing on Jerry's Birthday (my birthday too lol)

[@ScarlettFire341]

Me too 5/7/77 Front Row Boston Garden - never looked back !

[@apatheticallylethargic4639]

Nice! My daughter's middle name is Althea for the same reason. Dead and co. are horrible live and I am a huge dead head but last years tour was just sad.

[@joseflemire4284]

I grew out in the middle of nowhere...land of the Northern Cheyenne, Lakota, Assiniboine Sioux and Crow...and even then in 1967 we felt the vibrations of the Explosions of Love coming out of San Francisco

[@angelalapiene-kurz2855]

My dad's a deadhead. He's the reason I never did any drugs, just smoke weed. He just turned 72 and still works construction. Those machines are toys to him, still has a very sound mind and is genuinely kind. He def looks like he's leftover from that time haha. Those drugs were pure, now they really kill the brain and it's sad to watch!

[@lilnarcolepsy]

Weed fries your brain too.

[@firstnamelastname-im5iz]

@@lilnarcolepsy Baked not fried...I love it.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

We had some great drugs in those days!

[@wyleetolson9182]

If you want to explore the world drugs can help you do that, if you want to shut off from it they can help u do that too. It’s all about the intent you go into it with. The drugs in the streets these days are dangerous thats for sure but that’s thanks to the war on drugs, dosent stop drugs just makes them more risky

[@matthewatwood8641]

You're confused about the drugs. They had the same drugs then as we have now. They had dope and Coke and speed, alcohol and tobacco, & they had weed and psychedelics. I mean we'd really is a psychedelic, albeit a mild one. The psychedelics were, are, and always will be the good ones.

[@1blastman]

I'm amazed at the talent that came out of that era. There were great musicians, artists, philosophers and chemists! Those days changed me for the better and I'm hale, heathy and 76! Still loving life!

[@drewpall2598]

Thanks for a psychedelic trip back to the summer of 1967 and the love generation. I was 8 at the time and unaware of the major events that took place at the time. As for me the 1960's were loud and colorful from music, fashion, art, television shows and movies. 😊✌💛🌸💮🏵🌺

[@glennbrymer4065]

These were the days right before I went into the US Army in 1969. Things changed. I discovered lsd & the Dead in 1971, the year I was retired out of the Service.

[@TallulahBelle3276]

Thank you for your service. ❤ 🫡

[@StephanieJeanne]

And the rest is history... definitely a monumental shift in music! Thanks, David.😊✌️🩵

[@RichardNixonsHippieRemoval]

Even by KZbin standards, Dave Hoffman lays down yet another a milestone piece of footage. 🇺🇲

[@RAEckart22]

There's earlier footage of the Dead from 1966, but this is still early

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

This is from The Hippie Temptation by CBS...hardly rare nor a great feat to unearth. And nowhere near the earliest footage ​@@RAEckart22

[@bongobeatbox4020]

This video includes so many inaccuracies it's ridiculous.

[@RichardNixonsHippieRemoval]

@ClevelandLiveMusic Still better than people in a Giant Eagle in North Olmstead.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

@@RichardNixonsHippieRemoval glad I live 40 miles east! Aldi man here.

[@stephendenney7349]

I was just in high school at the time and did not use any drugs (running was my drug) but did live only twenty miles south of San Francisco, so had the opportunity to see these great bands.

[@billjackson1317]

My first time I saw the Greatful Dead was in 1968 at the Santa Clara folk rock festival. Dead did alligator for 45 minutes , Pigpen did the singing then ✌️👍👍

[@D-Fens_1632]

Technically Alligator>Drums>Alligator>Caution>Feedback, and just under 40 minutes, but that's a fun tape from that sad part of 1968 where we have so few tapes. I've always liked Weir's mock interview on the end of the tape, "Do you have a message for the people?" Weir: "F the people, F the proletariat" lol.

[@cheri238]

The good "ole" days are here once again with the one and only David Hoffman films( lol) 1967 was a good year here in America. ❤

[@7177YT]

Amazing! Thank you!

[@sogggyyy]

Born in the 1970’s but recently became fascinated with this era thanks to KZbin.

[@Raviolli]

Come to haight street in san francisco

[@cleolateeple1997]

@@RaviolliYes, go to San Fran now and see the putrid flowering of the hippie/dope movement. The cost in human life, lost souls and money is incalculable.

[@JWF99]

"Flower Power!" 💪💐😂💛Love this historic footage David! 🎸🎶TYVM☮✌

[@shadowwolf9503]

Another great video Dave- Thank you !

[@Psychedelic-Peter]

Great footage. Nice to hear Moby Grape's name mentioned. As a much younger fan of this historic period in culture.

[@beankeys8812]

Thanks David! Love your work👏👍

[@davidellis5141]

What a long , strange trip it's been.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Indeed.

[@williambarry8015]

That song is always on my playlist.✌️👍🙏

[@bec4337]

I lived in California during those years, age 9-12, we listened to Wolfman Jack on the radio! What a time to be a kid!

[@sitindogmas]

wish we could do it all again ✌️💚

[@willieluncheonette5843]

I believe it was Jefferson Airplane from SF that achieved serious breakthrough success on the national charts. They opened the gates for the hippie bands and the flood of sales began

[@MicahScottPnD]

That's interesting.

[@willieluncheonette5843]

@@MicahScottPnD Surrealistic Pillow, their second album. reached #3 on the Billboard 200 album chart in 1967. And Somebody To Love and White Rabbit singles were also huge hits.

[@MicahScottPnD]

@@willieluncheonette5843 Billboard charts get more fascinating to me as time goes on. I hadn't known of a moment when the dam broke, so to say, for hippie music to hit the pop charts. I wonder if it had anything to do with the news that the Beatles could be winding down at that time.

[@cynthiafrank5638]

They were on the cover of Life Magazine.

[@MicahScottPnD]

@@cynthiafrank5638 Neat looking cover, June 28 1968, is what I found.

[@venetia6296]

Awesome ✌️

[@jeffwier696]

Magnificent film! That time was so special! It brought me back.

[@strangersname]

What a moment in time. Sunshine daydreams.

[@JohnShields-xx1yk]

13 in 1973 my first hit of acid coincided with my first listening of a new record called darkside of the moon, I called the guy the very next day and bought a 100 hits, timing is everything.

[@RavenNl403]

Wow! I have heard the name of the band but never any footage Thank you David ❤️

[@telescopebuilder]

"The mind blowing batch of bay area bands" 😊

[@MicahScottPnD]

Bay area 90s, too, tons of amazing stuff, wide array of sounds!❤

[@superultramega77]

Jellyfish

[@steveconn]

Mom lived in the Panhandle right then, met Grace Slick. Great exhibit of those kind of posters at the De Young in 2017.

[@nathanielvargas3863]

Deadhead’s unite!

[@hypnocracy6102]

Who are you? Where are you?

[@stevierayripple]

We are everywhere

[@BOBBOTO]

3rd generation going strong. Lol

[@BrianBurkeProd]

Glad you posted this, David. Been listening to a lot of 1968-9 era Dead recently. Love this rare footage.

[@MicahScottPnD]

Im just loaded with thoughts on this video, don't know where to begin ❤

[@dpall38]

“Hippies and hangers on…..”. Those are my people!

[@deadmetal8692]

The good ol' Grateful Dead.

[@karensalaun1422]

Wow! Learn something new every time!!

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Loved Country Joe’s F*** cheer!

[@sneakerfacevids441]

This isn’t the earliest film. There is a color film of the Dead from January 1966 Acid Test. Released by Ken Kesey on vhs called Acid Test

[@nuggetsdad444]

David, did you film this doc?? Deadhead since birth here - this is a HUGE piece of history, absolutely amazing if you were there.

[@RAEckart22]

There's earlier footage from 1966 of the Dead but this is still early

[@tylerjones2695]

​@@RAEckart22yeah that's what I thought

[@w.l.graves7228]

lest we forget ..ALL HAIL BILL GRAHAM !

[@streetlevel4996]

Love your video and grew up during the whole hippy scene and still am one years later 😊 and may God Richly Bless you and may Jesus Christ show you His GREAT love that He has for each of YOU ❤️ Just ask Him to show you personally His Love as He did to me years ago 😊

[@williambarry8015]

When i was in 3rd or 4th grade my older brothers had the Dead record that came with a T-shirt. I wore that T- Shirt to school. It went all the way down to my knees. All the girls and guys beat me up for it. I still wore it with pride.

[@sitindogmas]

where do you get this stuff, its awesome

[@elijahwilson1422]

Turn on your love light! Let it shiiiiine onnnnnnn meeeee! Let it shine! Let it shine!

[@craighutchinson5045]

millennial here- this time period is the furthest back I'd want to go if I could time travel..... I always consider this the time when 'America broke free' ... everything before seemed too formal, polished and stiff for me. I feel like I could relate to these ppl more

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Best Band in History!!! ❤❤❤

[@user-zf5sq8lt2f]

Uhh, no. No way, no how.

[@HansHoller-oc2gj]

Wonderful Time, I was a Little Child before i came to school. 😎😀👍

[@tommeredith7462]

Like wow man this was really heavy time’s. It’s far out to see this video Man.

[@darrinmcgann]

Far out man! Groovy 🤟

[@normanleach5427]

Here's to San Francisco's Monday Night Class. ...in and out of the garden he goes... The Caravan, The Farm : Stephen + Ida, family and friends 😊 "This man Zen Master" -- Seung Sahn

[@coonplatoon]

Wow not very often you get to see Pig Pin let alone a video of him

[@sderoski1]

My brother loved the Dead and he always said they were best with Pig Pen

[@RUNNOFT71]

Man I love ALL your stuff! I wish so bad you would have been around Duane Allman in 1970 or especially 1971. Footage of Duane is so scarce. But you've got the best of the best!

[@Monkey-ut7ke]

I was there as a grade school kid

[@KittyGrizGriz]

It’s so wild to think the Dead used to play “Cowboys and Indians” with QMS band shooting at each other with their rifles, for stealing weed from each others band houses Ha! That’s the psychedelic 60s San Francisco. My favorite part besides ALL of the GREAT music - is the fantastic poster ART announcing concerts. SO Groovy…☮️ LOVE and FLOWER🌸🌸POWER🌸

[@airtow6766]

The first two albums I owned, as a jr high school kid, was The Grateful Dead and Country Joe and the Fish. Stole them both from a Woolworths store.

[@Hklbrries]

This is your footage, David?! You were at The Summer of Love?! I am gobsmacked! 💕

[@sderoski1]

Something I've noticed, hippies and punks made songs about politics and war and social realities, and when I listen to popular music since, I would say, 1999, I only hear songs about getting rich, getting high, or getting a romantic partner, what happened?

[@CtDawG77]

Stanley Moose is my favorite bay area poster artist

[@firstofficerspock311]

Is there a version of this without the guy talking over everything?

[@geraldking4080]

Got to over 100 shows. Living in Utah & New Mexico made it a challenge.

[@paulmarshall9189]

And... they all grew up to support the establishment.

[@slow-mo_moonbuggy]

They chased me through supermarkets for 2 straight years because I wasn't wearing a dust mask on my face.

[@francoamerican4632]

Being chased by the band members must have been a harrowing experience.

[@slow-mo_moonbuggy]

@@francoamerican4632 Not the band. I'm talking about the fear ridden baby boomers that came from that generation.

[@1blastman]

@@slow-mo_moonbuggy Not all boomers were like that. I'm mid's 70's, never vaxxed, never bought into it and only had a mid case before March 13, 2000. Had anti-bodies and wouldn't bow down to big Government Pharma. Screw them!

[@4-dman464]

0:08 I'm just out of frame on the lower left corner writing a review at the time.

[@anthonygerace332]

Interesting photo. Visually, the early Grateful Dead looked more like bikers than hippies! Maybe not much of a difference back then.

[@nurknanker6105]

Good God. Is there anyone or anything that you DIDN'T film back then??🤯

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

There was plenty plenty plenty that I wish I had filmed but never got the chance. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@MicahScottPnD]

​@@DavidHoffmanFilmmakerWhat a cool comment, David, I love that semi-torturous feeling ☺️❤👍

[@Fender73472]

Most of these people are dead now and looking back in time only shows the Moral decay of this country….

[@scottdelomba9350]

This footage has been around for decades.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

yes. It was shot in 1967. David Hoffman filmmaker

Anthony Cumia loves the Dead

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

🚬🤠 cool stuff

[@soulvigilante]

Fact check: there is well-known footage of them from 1966. Case in point - The Pico Acid Test. March 1966

[@grouchosays]

I was 17 and was working a real job.

[@francoamerican4632]

You should've quit your job or taken some time off to experience the Summer of Love.

[@johannesdegarlandia]

Jimi Hendrix was still living in England in 1967.. He was not discovered in America until the next year.

[@LisaG-fv7mw]

No - He played the Monterey Pop festival in June 1967

[@ST-xg3gy]

Did they keep the same setlist for decades?

[@edwardl.demarco7594]

Far Out BROTHER !

[@D-Fens_1632]

Technically there is earlier footage, like the Fillmore Acid test footage from January 1966, right after they'd just changed their name to the Dead.

[@LendallPittsII]

Weren't they called originally The Warlocks and played bar gigs down on the peninsula? I was in SF from '66 onwards and the bands we all went to see were the early groups from the Haight. The Charlatans, The Sopwith Camel. Plus also the Great Society. Groups that played the Matrix. Just a perspective from a 76 year old

[@markarchambault4783]

Great footage. Wasn't the Fillmore East in NYC though?

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

The year I graduated from high school

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

And there is a color version that I ha e on a 40 year old VHS

[@jimkeogh8552]

Theaters in SF…like Fillmore East??!! Some great footage however. Thanks.

[@Splat55099]

Did you film most of this stuff David??

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I was one of the cameramen. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@Splat55099]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker What haven't you filmed!?! =]

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Someone recently asked me and I said that I was never given the opportunity to film punks, for example, and also very little sports. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@Splat55099]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmakerCheck out the singer GG Allin. His story is fascinating and disturbing.

[@cancelme4200]

That thumbnail looks like it was taken in 1993 at a grunge show somewhere.

[@sledzeppelin]

Awesome footage, but not the first. There is footage of the Acid Tests from '65 and '66.

[@jarodcarnarvon5198]

Stilll so strange to see so many people in a crowd with long unkempt hair in 1967, since it was a brand new thing then......

[@ScarlettFire341]

The G Dead played Frat Parties ? Mews to me ...

[@cleolateeple1997]

I remember seeing that cover photo of the Grateful Dead when it was published in the 60's originally. I remember thinking that the look of them was kind of disgusting and gross, and I turned my head away like when you come across roadkill. That experience kept me away from dope and psychedelica for quite a while.

[@tubbers20]

We were so naive.

[@SoulDaddy33]

Raucous and turbulent? Odd, I certainly don't recall it as being such. It wasn't the summer of turbulence, you know.

[@joebarr725]

The real "Summer of Love" was 1966, before LSD had been made illegal.

[@billjackson1317]

Never drink or eat anything at a Greatful Dead concert ‼️✌️

[@benhinds2971]

1967 is not the earliest footage of the GD.

[@effdonahue6595]

Earliest footage of God? 🤓🔥😇

[@ShortbusMooner]

Kinda before my time, I was born '66..

[@jensandersen7011]

Too bad you worship Brett Keane.

[@ShortbusMooner]

@@jensandersen7011

[@djchaiwallah]

❤️💀💙

[@endlessnameless6494]

Never drink and drive, guys. Over 11,000 die each year...don't be the next ! Thanks.

[@francoamerican4632]

And don't text and drive or drive while tired. Doing either is just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.

[@11BlackLamb]

Abbott Hoffman Thanks you🌹💀🌹

[@davidroberts5577]

🕊️🦋☮️🕊️🦋☮️🕊️

[@truthhandler6828]

Jerry GarCIA.

[@intrepidtraveller6002]

Stanley Moose 😂. Yeah earliest Dead footage is at the Acid test.

[@sandyrothman2430]

"Stanley Moose"?!

[@edwardl.demarco7594]

Btw Jerry Gracia is MY FATHER ! Look it up.

[@williambarry8015]

If that's true id definitely be proud. He was a cool human being.👍👍✌️✌️🙏

[@edwardl.demarco7594]

@williambarry8015 and Brent's my uncle. Lifes wild ain't it

[@the_Analogist4011]

seems like the war machine still runs everything though, even though the dead were touring

[@humboldthammer]

F N A

[@user-py4ew7qu2b]

Cooltimesinfriscojustwishwishmansonwasntcreepongaround

[@user-uz9lq8zy4d]

Lsd