Grateful Dead 08.21.1972 Berkeley, CA Complete Show SBD

Grateful Dead August 21, 1972
Berkeley Community Theater - Berkeley, CA
Set 1:
The Promised Land
He's Gone
Black Throated Wind
Friend Of The Devil
Jack Straw
China Cat Sunflower ~
I Know You Rider
Me & My Uncle
Sugaree
Beat It On Down The Line
Stella Blue 59:20 (sooo goood)
Playing In The Band
Brown Eyed Women
Mexicali Blues
Casey/Jones
Set 2:
Greatest Story Ever Told
Ramble On Rose
Dark Star ~
El Paso ~
Space ~
Deal
Sugar Magnolia
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Uncle John's Band
One More Saturday Night

[@akatsaris]

What a great sounding recording! Although I had been buying their records for several years, this was the year I was old enough to get the family car and go to this night, my first Dead show (I was 17). I convinced my friend Peter to go with me (“I don’t know man, I hear they play for 5 hours!”) and I threw in an extra buck for him so we could buy the expensive seats ($4.50 as I remember.) About 4 days earlier we had been to BCT to see Leon Russell. It was a good show, but the crowd wasn’t overly enthusiastic - Leon at one point chided people that, “y’all must be too tired from the revolution to boogie.” I wondered what the Dead show would be like. We had seats right in the middle, about ten rows from the stage. From the opening notes of Promised Land, everyone got on their feet and stayed on their feet, dancing and smiling the whole show. It was all new to me at that point: “Wow, China Cat jammed into I Know You Rider - who knew?!”; Dark Star got very weird in a much different way than the album version that I had long since memorized, then Jerry and Bob drifted offstage and I found myself listening to a jazz piano trio with Phil, Keith and Bill, which somehow ended up morphing into the country-western ballad, “El Paso” - I was totally hooked! They did indeed play for about 5 hours, and at the end my friend said he wished they had played even longer.

[@goingdowntheroad6163]

akatsaris great story!!! Love it

[@hellfire8883]

Must've been great to be 16 or 17 around that time. And what a great show for your very first. I'm only at black-throated wind But i can tell this is show is a heater and is going to deliver the goods.

[@anniemal9312]

This is a betty board recording. She is the gold standard.

[@westward2020]

I was born exactly six months prior to this show, grew up in Montana and in June 1991 a friend and I drove 1,200 miles to see them play at Sandstone Amphitheater in Kansas City and then again in Denver a couple days later. A great adventure for a couple of 19 year old kids.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

I was born in 1972, wish I could have seen them then at their absolute peak. Saw them for the first time at MSG at 16 in 1988 for 4 of the 8 show run. I guess I'm lucky to have seen them back then as well, I'm sure so many fans were not even born during Jerry's lifetime.

[@markgrissom9461]

I went to the show the night before in San Jose and then the Friday night as a backstage guest of Owsley because he was at the Federal Halfway House I was assigned to work at as terms of my probation for refusing induction, Owsley on his way out of the joint. Picked him up at the Greyhound Station in Oakland and used to drive him around on errands. One day, I opened the front door and Phil was there to take Owsley out for the day. I couldn't have been more into the Dead at the time so it was a mindblower. It was a great run at BCT. The Friday night recently came out as Dave's Picks 24. And the show after that was the Sunshine Daydream show in Oregon. Heady times indeed! The Dead were firing on all cylinders in 1972.

[@cliberg]

Wonderful... this was the FIRST show I attended. First of at least 100... Miss those days so much.

[@joshuateubanks4302]

Cool.

[@darkelf2758]

I have come back to listen to this so many times. This was my first ever concert at 12 years old, my older cousins and their friends were cool enough to take me along. I am forever grateful

[@clintparker4476]

I was never old enough to see the dead but I always liked them. phish, the dead, allman brothers, zappa, santana, string cheese incident, they all touched my soul. Love it.

[@timoconnor8520]

Oh yeah, the String Cheese Incident are amazing, ain't they?

[@jamesonhannon7280]

Tough to top 72. Absolute purity.

[@bluesriot2]

68-73, pure and driven

[@markthomas859]

@@bluesriot2 p

[@jtaustinmusic]

Bob sounds like shit per usual

[@KurtM1966]

@@jtaustinmusic thats funny as hell to read. BUT, that said, they worked as a single unit going allover the unknown then meeting back.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

The best year of them all.

[@Luschan]

Wow, for a recording of a random 1972 rock show, this sounds fantastic. It sounds like it was miked and recorded specifically for a live album, and then cleaned up and mixed.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

They were famous for recording most of their shows in great soundboard quality. That is a blessing for us Deadheads!

[@badsister27]

This is one of my absolute favourite shows from the golden era of Grateful Dead. Thanks for uploading it!

[@veek.6463]

Gorgeous show. We listened for Thanksgiving. Peace and Love everybody and put that Stella in the top 10. Great playin jam goes to a place unheard, great jam into Dark Star. Called the El Paso out of it. Thank you for posting

[@markoshirazi]

doin the same thing with my evening. this is my new favorite show and a top 10 playin for sure. the band that keeps on giving!

[@randallcarter6913]

So grateful to see the stories about vintage Dead shows!

[@jsebell]

Thank you for posting this. I somehow never heard this show until last night. It's like the Veneta OR concert but with better recording quality and mix.

[@hellfire8883]

Very sad announcement about pigpen after black throated wind. The song 'He's gone' would ultimately become their tribute to pigpen. They said he'd take six months off but unbeknownst to them he had already played his last show ever on June 17th of 1972. It's sad because the Europe 72 tour saw some of his best playing. He used his last ounces of energy and put it all out there on stage heart and soul. Unfortunately his heavy drinking took a large toll on his liver and health which made his situation worse because he already had liver problems unrelated to drinking. He may not have been aware of his other liver issues. . He played such a large part in the deads early successes and was a pivotal part of their sound up until 72. He had a great voice and could hold his own on the keys and organ. Although his contributions to live shows would begin to dwindle as his health deteriorated especially vocally. He continued to play keys with the addition of Keith godchaux for added keys support. He died march 8, 1973 of gastrointestinal hemorrhaging at 27 years young. R.I.P. Ron (pigpen) Mckernan.

[@squishybuffalo]

His songs are some of my favorite from the dead :( sad to hear his story like this

[@evanreeves6581]

Yah, this was their first real hometown show (Sac and SJ don't count) since Pigpen had to quit touring. Such a tragic story.

[@peterthompson810]

... jammin at my alma mater the year i was born. Bulging Set Lists... Miss watching concerts @ The Greek overlooking Angel Island, Pacific Ocean, Oakland, Berzerkeley, Mount TAM, Alcatraz, downtown San Franciso, and Golden Gate Bridge - elevated by sweet aromas of sundry herbs intermingling w eucalyptus, patchouli, and Redwoods. Dance On You Bears!

[@EugeneAxe]

Thanks for posting this gem. Never heard this show. Tight performance, sweet set list, and perfect audio. Nice soundboard, dude. '72 was their best year in my view. And you're right, that Stella is amazing.

[@TheOferwexenfeld]

verygoodyear

[@takeo8810]

isn't that the year that Jerry "played for his life"?

[@clintparker4476]

'72 dead to you is what '03 phish was to me. Love them both, outstanding musicians.

[@WallofSound65]

@@takeo8810 I've heard that 11/7/69 is the "play for your life" show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHSphmOOraxsZ9U

[@bluesriot2]

68-73 was their best year

[@blakeepitts]

I freaking love Jer and Bob's interplay in this period. And Phil. They're so subtly layered and engaged with each other sonically. It's beautiful. Thanks again for the amazing upload!!!

[@andrewptob]

And Keith! He brought so much to their sound.

[@lecollye]

Totally! And Donna! She...um...yeah...

[@bluesriot2]

it's like a ballet sometimes, the two guitars dancing thru your ears

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Another day.. but I will listen to this whole thing again because it is so amazing!

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

Bobby's licks were never any better than on this tripped out great Ramble on Rose.. Jerry's too, but listen to Bobby go go go ! whew.

[@LudiCrust.]

I agree! Bobby is the luckiest man in rock & roll history. We are lucky his guitar wasn’t completely turned down like it was in most of the 70s. At best he’d be turned off by the third song of the 1st set. I don’t ever remember his guitar being audible in a 2nd set.

[@dwtdwtdwt]

My all-time favorite show.

[@dwtdwtdwt]

Keith was on fire!

[@buitoni123456789]

you made my evening uploading this treasure,,,, thanks so much .....

[@Ducatispo5]

48 years ago today! Totally random that I selected this from my search list. What a pure moment in time. Thank you!

[@wharfrat1950]

1972 Grateful Dead...really no year like it...not just The Dead, but any artists...🎶

[@johnbeard7935]

YES was also really good in 1972, same with Floyd

[@timoconnor8520]

@@johnbeard7935 And Genesis, back when they had both Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett!!

[@michaelmohrle1773]

​@@johnbeard7935Obscured by Clouds is great by Pink Floyd in 1972. And live at Pompeii !!

[@sugareewazoo633]

BeautifullyGorgeous!!!GoldenLiquidNectar!!!Gr8Stella!!!ThankYou

[@paulmegna210]

These guys are on af something good if not on life too on this night. The playing, the singing,ceven Bobby saying thank you after every song, letting us know Me and my uncle is their only song in Emin. Yeah. Something is on here. 15 songs in the first set that really never ends as it keeps popping ul in the 2nd. Odd in that wat too. Okay just a fucking awesome translation of a show. Perfect show.

[@philmcgrady9016]

Wowzerz. I’ve listened to many...but this one shocked me. Just soooo good. Definitely one of my favorites of all time!! Thank you so much!!!

[@Duffyartwork]

This show is absolutely amazing. Made my day hearing this

[@markvonwisco7369]

Phil's announcement about Pigpen between Black Throated Wind and Friend of the Devil is a real bummer. I wish he would have gotten well and returned to the band. Great setlist though and well played.

[@givefit]

guess he didn't eat enough veggies

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

@@givefit You are such a moron!!!!

[@lowrydan111]

RIP Pig

[@Majrombus]

Never saw them live in 8 -72 I was 18 & saw almost everyone else then live just never made a concert but still love the music & this music lets twirl

[@gabrielgriffin9230]

Love this black throated wind ..bobby sang with passion 👌🙏🚀

[@murkrow2316]

Best version I’ve ever heard….✌️🎶🙂

[@michaelhead8633]

This BCT run in August of &@ is phenomenal, they played 4 epic shows and then went on to play Veneta, Oregon on the 27th. They were on fire and flawless...

[@michaelhead8633]

haha, &@ = 72

[@74miles1]

Is it just me? Or does anyone else see an image of Jerry in the lights? Almost center of the pic. Kinda like Jerry looking over Jerry. So very GRATEFUL DEAD

[@libertyskrollz7045]

snodgrass jerry

[@jimmiddleton2621]

Yep. Next to the one light and below the two lights.

[@johndohn6297]

Tripyyy

[@mattwalsh9413]

No

[@paulfrombrooklyn5409]

It's just you!

[@noahimua1289]

Crisp clean show that just doesn’t quit! Outstanding audio! Thank you for the upload

[@paulmegna210]

15 song first set. Wowser. The old days

[@billbischoff4259]

Right after comin g back from Europe these shows were some of the best ever. Phil took the roof off berkeley Community a couple of times.

[@popsurreal4266]

This show is amazing

[@georgebethos7890]

Superb sound quality tremendous clarity

[@rascaltuff]

lol idk why i’m looking for time stamps i’ve been listening to the dead for damn near 25 years. i know these tunes like the back of my hand😂😂 fly high uncle Jerry. we miss you!💗

[@MCreedon34]

Incredible thank you!!! Covid19 self distancing causing live music withdrawals this saves the day

[@Spherian7]

Amaxingly amazing whole band high-speed virtuosity in the Playin' instrumental. 1:12:00 onward

[@seanschmidt3840]

the intensity is higher than most

[@TheCursingYogi]

Agreed- The clarity is perfection ❤❤

[@richmcdonald1656]

Black Throated Wind,WOW!

[@murkrow2316]

rich mcdonald by far the best version I've heard

[@joshuateubanks4302]

This is one of the top twenty.

[@joshuateubanks4302]

This Jack, tho!!!

[@Anonymous-vb8nw]

Been homebound for the past 2 weeks due to the COVID. TV stuck on CNBC (most anchors/reporters also homebound) to wager on whether the virus or the S&P 500 has the best shot of takin' me out. Enjoyed Steve Liesman's Stella Blues Band (NYC GD tribute band-Steve's in the band) backdrop and Bob Pisani's GD collection prominently displayed in his shots.

[@GeoffreyGentryMusic]

Did you guys notice that around 2:13:08, Jerry plays a little snippet of Morning Dew? It's like he's wanting the band to follow, but they're not listening. Would have been a prime opportunity for Morning Dew.

[@markoshirazi]

phil cock blocked jerry.

[@j.r.wishmire6459]

This makes me very, very sad

[@WallofSound65]

Bobby jumped on it, Keith too. Mr. Lesh wasn't having it. Must have been deliberate; that shit was pretty hard to miss.

[@akatsaris]

Two shows later they played Dark Star again and that time it did go into Dew!

[@Lea99Jones]

That's the problem with democracies...

[@kelhard]

HIGH energy show!!!! Yessir!!!

[@georgehartler3423]

How can you beat it! About nine months before my first live experience. Great show, thanks a bunch

[@ralberty]

love second set opener.. LHMR cool !!! thats all we need ;-)

[@justanotherrandomcrit8115]

I had no idea they played Stella Blue in 72!

[@jimeagan3057]

Yeaa 72' saw my best show one month before this classic one in NJ at Roosevelt Stadium 5.5 hours

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Breathtaking Playin' In The Band !!!

[@mattstensen3536]

12:47 - Black Throated Wind 1:08:01- Bob's Intro 1:08:30 - Playing In The Band

[@mr.charlie2495]

Far out! Thanks man! Peace!!

[@joergie6008]

Oh man .. what a show

[@joecopeland998]

thank you. awesome!

[@knickstexansfan113]

Damn! What a setlist!

[@mikemc3751]

Listening to Phil's comments about Pigpen at 20:23 ... sad to think that instead of being home getting better for 6 months, he'd pass away ... and then into "Friend of the Devil" .. for Pig maybe?

[@donmccloskey4387]

Yes, that Stella is the best ever!

[@libertyskrollz7045]

so dank// pranks fer sharing

[@laserlithuanian]

great show

[@JacobKujda]

BIODTL 56:00 And what a nice surprise at 58:00 from Jerry

[@lyledouglas8324]

Filmed the whole show on super 8mm film, along with other shows from the 72 tour.

[@nognuisagoodgnu]

Awesome 🙏🏻

[@CASHMIXR]

Can I have a copy

[@divad2332]

I love the dead- poor man from the UK

[@andrewpotter4715]

1:44:45 ramble on rose

[@clambake444]

Bravo.

[@mikemagyar3222]

Berkeley and Veneta

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:53:28 intense tunning

[@willywonka8911]

There are three dimensions of space, one dimension of time, and then there’s Jerry Garcia, who science hasn’t yet explained.

[@iaincooper6164]

listening closely at the end of "he's gone" - is that the crowd clapping along in time you can hear?

[@MichaelSmith42]

oh my oh my oh my

[@MichaelSmith42]

and i'm at set break

[@NicholasOsella]

I was here;

[@NicholasOsella]

timestamps 47:38 - sugaree

[@NicholasOsella]

59:25 stella blue

[@NicholasOsella]

1:08:30 playing in the band

[@NicholasOsella]

1:22:50 gone are the days

[@NicholasOsella]

1:28:44 mexicali blues

[@peacepaint917]

Love

[@andrewpotter4715]

1:39:20 set 2

[@elmoblatch9787]

1:08:14 Bob introducing Donna Jean and Keith.

[@anthonytesta344]

Ahhhh 72

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:34:40 sugar magnolia (jargen)

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:35:56 start

[@joshuateubanks4302]

How good is this Me amd My Uncle?

[@nathanieltoby6936]

Brothers and sisters, what is the best full show with video from the early to mid '70's? I'm looking to put something on a projector for an outdoor party, but obviously there's not a ton of video from that era. Help.

[@jonathanbanks5439]

Sicknasty.

[@1HotSkiBunnie]

Bay Area 1972. Must have been nice.

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:20:00 el paso

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:25:00 space

[@tonianzalone988]

I was 2 this year and finally leard to poop in the bowl and not in my pants. I still would of dug it!!

[@popsurreal4266]

Toni Anzalone I was 2 as well , starting last day of 2020 listening to this , He’s gone has a new meaning

[@jmenterprises_1395]

Let's Bogie💪

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:28:40 deal

[@SpacelySmith]

Ooo wooo nothings gonna bring him back

[@michaelburr8780]

It is incredible to think only say 25 or 35 years ago you needed real musical talent to have hit records and stay relevant, there was no MTV; no silly movie videos of the so called Artists of Today with fake gold chains and funny headwear. You played in a bar - band, maybe one day you had a hit record, and just maybe ; if you worked hard enough, played well enough and could write really good songs and records - you were a small success. But you had to put in all the long hours and play live, do weird things at gigs and crazy fans and all the rest ( The dead played about 2,300 concerts all told ) - to even stand a remote chance. It was simply all about making the great music, the consistent gig - creating the right vibes and the loyalty fans. Yes, Deadheads ruled in their utter allegiance to The Greatful Dead sound - we all heard about the weird rumours at the famed live Concerts - the carpark outside itself even had its own claim to fame - of the powerful LSD sold in sheets of the 1000's, (WTF) the crazy after parties and so on. Another world ! But few has much actual contact with the inner workings of The Dead band engine and Garcia's REAL genius at NOT trying to have or even having a hit record ! " F the top 40 countdown hit parade , man ! " He surely would have exclaimed behind thick tinted glasses; Just Be Yourself ! And yet decades later now that you play the Dead still you feel their weird power pop - the electric guitar in the hands of a master and he was your co - pilot to the Stars ! And you WENT ! It is shame that popular music seemed to just be another side of " looking very pretty or sexy on TV " and has faded away so much with the demise of concerts and also Garcia's fate was not good - a troubled man ; he sought fake solace with the wrong crowd - as rock fame and famed addictions took its bitter and evil toll; stripping him away to a shadow of his former self To experience the excitement of such talented bands like say The Cars in 1981, Iron Maiden in 83 or even the Stones in the mid - 70's, and The Dead playing live in say 1969 was an experience you never could forget. Long live rock and roll ! The dead and the new born are awaking ! AND WHY are the bears dancing …… ??? Jerry - we salute you !

[@Lea99Jones]

Right? Mugging for the cameras during a concert? Who does that? Well, these days, everybody. Play that music on the MTV... At least we hit the sweet spot, right? Beatles, Stones, Tull, Santana, Almanns, Joni, Janice... And it was all about the MUSIC. Concerts were cool because, as you point out, Michael, these cats could LAY IT DOWN. "Keep on rollin', my old buddy...."

[@michaelmohrle1773]

They bears aren't dancing, they are marching as I believe Phil pointed out.

[@coreyshelton1550]

2:54:09 my heart again

[@andrewpotter4715]

20:00 play it

[@andrewpotter4715]

Friend of the devil

[@jackstraw6760]

The commercial right after Promised Land was acceptable. I stuck with it and He's Gone started. The commercial while He's gone was playing was unacceptable and I left.

[@vglaso]

What I 'like' (ON FACEBOOK) ? is simple fact... t hey shared what they did.? Had no idea (or wish) To get another? to 'make money'. They.... have enough. ? I can't help sharing .....nothing is gonna bring him back- excellent recording. How does facebook work... ? in 2020. A lot of women- ladies gone. Nothing wrong... w/getting old. Get used to it. > facebook did not exist when this guy died? (The one singing) Am Not Joking. I 'listen to words'. A one shot> deal. (A long game) > 'the other one' has to believe? .... love is a four letter word. 'reality is fun'. AAnd... recordings... are real. And every game ends. 'thanks for sharing- ... And- it does not end.

[@andrewpotter4715]

31:00 ccsf

[@theshadow3001]

What's with all the FN commercials

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:45:30 mutt

[@lucindashannon7042]

Treasure

[@jeremybarriga9266]

72- 74 is the peak , however 72 they just got something so giddy in the music , total DEAD.

[@robertgordon9668]

Litt

[@jaredhill1839]

2:18

[@andrewpotter4715]

2:20:00 El Paso