Grateful Dead Documentary (Providence RI 1985)

This is a short documentary of the Dead that I made with my buddy Rob Levine in 1985. We told the Dead's manager that we were from a local news station and got permission to go backstage and interview Mickey Hart for the film. The sound is terrible as this was transferred from an old VHS tape -- my only copy.

[@mcpaplus]

When the Mickey was talking about offering something to the fans, I thought about one of my encounters. It was second of two nights in KC. I was already extremely "enlightened" by the time the show started. Standing 10 feet from the front of the stage I was staring at Jerry and I had the thought "what makes Jerry and this band so amazing?". At that very second Jerry looked over his glasses directly in to my eyes and sang "I know a little something you'll never know" (line from their song Loser). That moment shook my so badly I had to go sit in the bleachers for ten minutes to recover! LOL.

[@friederikevonarnswaldt3610]

I AM IN THIS DOC!!?!!! Wow!! That is me at 1:03- 1:10!!! It was the year after i graduated from high school!! Thank you for this!?! Sooo Awesome!!!

[@patswayze7359]

This made my night... Smoking a bowl and remembering the good ol days

[@bobbysunshine3458]

That is my old friend Beth on the caption picture who says she saw Jerry in a limo. Also my friend Matty and I walk by the guy being interviewed after the first Mickey interview! Wow. I just showed my 17 year old. He said that's cool Dad. Hahaha.

[@jeffrey.5642]

I know both both people as well lol And when Matty walks by I think that's Beth's boyfriend back then Eddie walking behind him

[@bobbysunshine3458]

@@jeffrey.5642 yes it is isn't it.Cool.

[@chrisevans8694]

Awesome brother!!!! Cheers!! 🍄 🍄 🍄

[@marcsimon1720]

@@chrisevans8694 cheers to you too man🍺🍺🍻!! positive vibes your way!!🍄🍄🍄🍄 🌞💥🐻😎😁

[@rciii2201]

Saw my 1st dead show in 1978 at Red Rocks. I can say without a doubt that there was NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert. Miss that feeling more than I can put into words.

[@BigHeartNoBS]

Red Rocks is awesome!

[@UnkleBen]

Right? No other band that I've seen live has that uber welcoming vibe, that pure love scene, that completely come as you are community. Some are close, some are better at different aspects of wholeness and/or consciousness of responsibility to their scene/fans impact, but I'll always pine for that experience the dead and us as a whole created & shared together.

[@sadboi7537]

Summer 85’ is where it’s at. Some seriously good shows that year.

[@Kwedeekhapo]

Ventura 85!!!!

[@Frankenstein-sc8rc]

Can't believe I fell into this video! Thanks for posting, much love! The band is truly beyond description

[@jbmaron]

Definitely a home made documentary! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@StarDarkAshes]

Kinda like if God a favorite band it would be GD.

[@waynej2608]

@@StarDarkAshes God does, and they are. 😎👍

[@patefutch6168]

@@jbmaron epic thank you so much

[@GoinDownTheRoadFeelinBad]

Are you my daddy

[@lanerider7265]

Super great time capsule !!! Thanks meastro

[@Richvids48]

The eighties were a wonderful time

[@stephentmarksberry4484]

I met my wife at the 1988 fall tour in Providence and we have been going to shows ever since. I originally met the band including Bear in 1971. I sold his goods around the tours for years. Remember the Dead were not about “Jerry Garcia “ but infinitely more. Figure out what the unspoken meaning is. That path is for your steps alone, but you know that. ⚡️🖖🏽⚡️

[@jbmaron]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@stephentmarksberry4484]

@@jbmaron Let It shine, my friend.🖖🏽

[@joshbolton5624]

Cool! Bear is my cousin but I never met him.I met Kreutzman around the time he passed away and he had some funny anecdotes.if you can tell me anything cool about Stanley I'd appreciate it⚡

[@stephentmarksberry4484]

@@joshbolton5624 Hey there Josh, I would be pleased to share my memory’s of your uncle. I really would love to speak with you. Would you be interested in that.I am in plague central otherwise known as Florida. Well let me know what you’re thoughts are about a phone call and hopefully we can connect. Your uncle and his acidhead friends changed the course of my life in strange and wonderful ways. I feel I owe you uncle some serious payback and speaking with you maybe a small repayment for the positive effects on my life. ⚡️🎸⚡️🖖🏽

[@joshbolton5624]

@@stephentmarksberry4484 Hey man Yeah! I'm at 8594472707 just text and we can figure out a good time to talk.been snowed in here in Kentucky fortunately got some caps and stems before it hit😊 but cool!thanks!!

[@wubaifen]

I did this whole tour. Was 20 at the time. Saw my first show when I was 14. Summer 87 was the last time I got to tour. After that started focusing on starting a career. In retrospect I should have waited a couple more years to start adulting.

[@brianfisher6165]

"a lot of miles to go" is an understatement, It's 2021 and Micky just played the Hollywood Bowl with Dead and Company👍👌✌😁 Thanks for this!!!✌

[@jdub6153]

He just said "and they even have 16 year old children going"......YES....I was one of them 16 in 1985 and it was the greatest...

[@TheCatfishcheese]

I was 15 went to first show. my parents was like they are still together. they said have fun. I came back home 2 months later. lolz

[@jdub6153]

@@TheCatfishcheese Me too hitch hiked home from North Carolina to Atlanta...got home at like 7 am....in a honda accord with the roof sawed off....

[@rvmcwhorter]

I was 15 in 85 , went to a few shows that year myself . Irvine meadows .

[@johnsheehan977]

Attended my first show 12/30/87 Oakland Coliseum.Night before New Year's eve. I was only 17 and took about three hits of good acid! My friend and I both had out of body experiences during space that night. Hell I'm 51 years old and just 2 years younger than Jerry was when he passed. Wow!It has certainly been a long strange trip!!! And the trip continues.✌🥰😁😝

[@johnsheehan977]

I went to my first dead show when I was 17 years old. And we were shunned by arrogant deadheads on the floor for being newbies. They gave us dirty looks and tried to make us feel like we weren't supposed to be there. Was very awkward and and annoyed the fuck out of me but ended up having the best show!just had to ignore them!Fuck em' right? Despite the Arrogant Vibes of assholes I became a new member of the tribe that night.Peace and love and joy!

[@JediRastafari]

"It's still got a lot of miles to go" -- Micky Hart

[@Jazzywazz]

All's We can do is hope! Long live The Dead! We got Live in this dream and ....I miss everybody!!

[@johnstallings4049]

@@Jazzywazz Greetings from Annapolis Maryland! I miss everyone 2! 💙💬😇✌

[@nottabidenfan660]

I was NEVER into the Grateful Dead, until my first show!! ✌

[@123danks]

Imagine a time when the dead played shows, and it was just normal life.

[@walterlippmann6292]

imagine a time when any band played shows, and it was just normal life.

[@123danks]

I member

[@kylelunde5750]

👍

[@patswayze7359]

What's a show?

[@jazzmanchgo]

Imagine a time when people gathered together, seeing each other's faces and smiling at each other, and it was just normal life. Or, for that matter, even those "mainstream" folks walking through a shopping mall and riding up an elevator without masks on, and without an apparent care in the world.

[@FreddySneakers]

You and Rob Levine are the kings of swing for pulling this off. great doc.

[@2112CO]

I was only 15 and a metal head turned on 1987. That being said summer 85 has some of my favorite Grateful Dead. 3 of the 2set opener's Hershey Park, and both nights at Columbus MD are some of my all time favorite moments. They miss some lyrics but the jamming is outstanding. NFA65-95

[@tonymasiellovids]

I was there for both nights in Providence 1985, but didn't see myself on this video. The 4/4 show was the only time I saw them play Crazy Fingers out of 43 shows. Nice to seem some audience shots from this time period. FWIW, these two shows were the only shows of the Spring Tour that had reserved seating. All of the others were full general admission.

[@johncmoney8394]

Thank You to all the tapers!!!

[@johnstallings4049]

Ur welcome 🙏 ☺ 💓 and greetings from Annapolis Maryland!😇💖💙

[@northernroots1]

Love how they have these arrogant bleeps trying to describe what WE as young people were or were not experiencing. ! K M A. Great band , great songs , great music , wonderful exciting times.

[@captntrps]

I am thankful every day to have been born into this culture.

[@IcculusVaxt]

Stuff like this is awesome. Thanks for posting!!

[@jbmaron]

Glad you liked it. I found my old VHS and had to share it.

[@yardarm5]

Classic low battery sound

[@yumpinyimbo6612]

Once in a while you can get shown the light. Great post !! Thanks. !!

[@chrisevans8694]

In the strangest of places, if ya look at it right, 🍄

[@youllis]

Such awesome footage thanks!!

[@ronaldpagano3416]

I'm from Barrongton RI.. Love the Dead been to a bunch of east coast.shows

[@jbmaron]

I’ve seen two shows in Providence. Both were awesome!

[@henrylocke8095]

hey another barrington head!

[@stephentmarksberry4484]

My wife was going to Roger Williams when I met her at the Providence Civic Center fall of 1987. It was a 3 show run. We went to all 3 shows.🖖🏽

[@johnericfranchi492]

I'm from Barrington RI too, never seen the dead as I was born in 86 but can't stop listening to them now!

[@johncmoney8394]

I thought it was borington (dry town)hahaha - I think my motorcycle instructor at CCRI taught me that. Glocester RI here.

[@richkunkiewicz1357]

My god I miss those shows lol Good video 👍

[@brianlevine4802]

Was at the Providence shows in the '80's. Great people. I went to a show there with a friend just out of the Navy. We were "lost". Saw a kid with a big Mohawk. He looked at us. We just grinned at him. He started going on about disgusting hippies. Several hundred Dead Heads started heading our way. We asked why he was going back the way he came. The coolest thing was a day tractor pulling a long trailer stopped in front of us. Guys got out of the truck. Turned the trailer into a diner. Very nice Italian gentlemen. Everyone was orderly. Some young ladies gave them each a rose. Old school cooking for modern nomads. Got cheese steaks to go.

[@tourhead]

Great video! Thanks for this!

[@Flip_side_games]

A lot of miles to go I can feel it. If they only knew they'd be going 56 years later! That's insane! Half a century. And it'll still go without any original members.

[@Katie2986]

I was at this show! Thank you!

[@danieljones1981]

1985 Mickey Hart.. It's got a LONG WAY TO GO. 30+Plus years later, Still riding!!! KEEP ON TRUCKIN!!!⚡💀🌹⚡

[@neilphelan145]

For me it started when I was 12 yrs old and my older brother turned me on to their first album. Morning Dew captured me completely and I've never looked back. Saw them several dozen( lost count) times and enjoyed every one of them. It was never about the drugs. It is always about the music. I saw them in Los Angeles in the summer of '95. They were the last LA shows they did. Jerry passed a couple of months later.

[@FaFaFoFoBawth]

I think they covered every possible silly cultural stereotype about the GD

[@keef7224]

I was there. Also at Walton’s birthday show in Worcester on 11/5 with him, Bird, Parish & McHale on stage groovin’. 🎸💥

[@JerryGarciaPOBox]

Really cool seeing my little home state & the Dead here. There's a really grate interview the JGB did during the Keith/Donna + M.M era, done on a local college radio station WBRU.

[@extraniceness]

95.5! (RIP) 😕

[@JerryGarciaPOBox]

@@extraniceness 🤙🏼✌🏽 I also really liked the Roger Williams College(not the pathetic current RW "University") station, 88.8. Although 2nd fiddle to 95.5, for a spell it had a grate Dead hr show hosted by two real characters. Good old days, eh. ✌🏽

[@deweypm]

cool vintage doc. great footage!

[@christophercampbell1677]

Thanks boys been on the bus since 1986

[@cellarsessions7592]

So happy I got to see them when they came to the UK!

[@johnsheehan977]

And they & we ✌😁😝 are still riding!!!

[@MrSpankee02]

I started in ‘84.

[@loudfast1261]

i was at that show, tripped balls...

[@vtphoto1]

Nice, I was 19 at the time and at those shows. Didn't make the video though darn it.

[@jeffcarpenter8524]

This is so awesome!!!

[@davidmischke1135]

I saw them in Providence, 1985. My Family wasn't happy with me because it was Easter.

[@mr.tibs1334]

Should have told them they always play samson & Delilah on Sundays. I was at the show I live 20 minutes away.

[@markusrose9667]

Those days are gone forever

[@tonee9644]

Sad but true

[@jeffh2563]

Yeah, sure Jerry and Brent are gone. And DeadCo have slowed the tempo down. But the vibe at DeadCo and Phish shows is still pretty kind... Can you say Lock'n...

[@markusrose9667]

@@jeffh2563 good to know some people are still having a rockin good time.

[@squweh]

...over a long time ago.

[@jeffh2563]

@@squweh if you're not open to being current. Then I guess, for you they are. But while you're sitting it out. Bob, Billy and Mickey are still shining their Lovelight. At shows that still fill all of the old venues. And Phil's still dropping bombs with the Family Band, at Terrapin Crossroads... If you ever feel like getting back on the bus. It's still touring around, and so is Phish, as well as The TTB, Gvt. Mule, JRAD and Hot Tuna... Maybe see ya at a show sometime?

[@ericball6000]

I first saw the Dead in April 1973, my friend won tix from wbcn Boston,I was 15,then started to see them in 1976 when they got back on the road,many good shows,good friends,good times,but by the late 80's,the fans started to change,gate crashing,ripping people off,and most of all fans would show up with NO tix,but I would do it all over again to see 175+ shows,just one thing the 1985 spring tour Jerry was wearing a red shirt,btw why I said my first show was in 1973?,I am now 63 years old,peace.

[@robhillard2924]

"Going to see a Grateful Dead may be the most dangerous thing you ever did in your life." - Mickey Hart

[@johnstallings4049]

Def hit this run and again in 1986! ❄️🌍❄️🎶🍷🎧🎵🎸💥😎💥❣️👁️💕🎶🥂

[@GLuft3]

My first show was the next night. I had seen Jerry at the Bushnell the previous November.

[@pc7135]

Looks like legendary WBCN DJ Ken Shelton was interviewed....miss those days!

[@davidcoillins8035]

This was my first Grateful Dead show amazing took my girlfriend there was a wedding in the aisle it was amazing mind-blowing show

[@leedavis3627]

Man I have tripped and stood up at there concerts

[@oldintheway5527]

I was at these shows this was my 45th year of seeing shows

[@BruceBowman42]

I love how bitter this is. It cracks me up.

[@123danks]

If I knew the way, i would take you home

[@raymondbartolic3116]

Mickey 79 yo. Keep it going❤ 2023.

[@CubensisRecords]

Most of their material has remained the same over the years?! They have almost 400 songs in their repertoire...

[@mkwilson38]

I laughed at that too.

[@NeutronDance]

I had to rewind just to make sure I heard it correctly. Typical hairbrained nightly news comment.

[@waynej2608]

Ty. 'Same material'?!! I was like, wtf! Glad, to know that I wasn't going nuts. Lol. 😎👍

[@miked1311]

85 was best year for shows. They were on fire that year. Every year was 👍

[@george.s.8491]

What in world is Bobby doing at 4:03 just watch. It ain’t ez being chee zee 😂 thank you for posting!

[@tonymasiellovids]

Sometimes during the song Row Jimmy, Bobby would put his hand on the neck of his guitar, as if it were an oar, and making a rowing motion. I clearly remember him doing this at my very first show (New Haven 83) but could not say for sure here. They did play Row Jimmy in Providence on 4/3.

[@jeffh2563]

Do you remember the old "Bob Weir Wisconsin's Finest" tee shirt?

[@george.s.8491]

@@tonymasiellovids wow all these years and I never knew that, thank you!

[@george.s.8491]

@@jeffh2563 yes also the Cheeto cat tshirts😂

[@kimmccabe1422]

I've been to soo many. All peaceful n powerful. And the Dead played different each time. So real. Sometimes one song (sort of lol) all night. Hey does anybody remember Englishtown and the mud! Loved that one. I was like 13-14..snuck away but i was always safe. Nothing like them since. ✌

[@MrGregFrancis]

If only the party could last forever 🎉😢

[@DeathByGelato]

Yeah, my dad was there

[@brianjansen3103]

"Though most of their material has remained the same over the years..." You lost me on that one

[@brbadge]

That guy was like a wet blanket on the whole segment.

[@shawncarpenter1972]

Guess she never seen the song catalog or was told that each setlist and show was different...

[@craigjohnson2614]

At 9:50 , a commentator discusses “surviving.” That’s very interesting! I’m not sure when Touch of Grey was first played, but didn’t come out on album/mtv for another year or so.

[@augustwest5273]

And we pray. A Lot of miles to go

[@TheCatfishcheese]

she said they play same batch of songs, that's hilarious. 36,086 songs. 💀⚘⚡❤⚡⚘💀 Forever Grateful

[@bluecollar825]

I caught that too, shes like, "and even though their repertoire didn't change" lmao!

[@CatFishBirdDog]

Cool video. Thanks for posting. Who were the two “expert” talking heads?

[@bpar73]

We Will Survive, dude near the end basically quoted that....prophetic words.

[@steveg6035]

First saw Walton at the Frost at Stanford around 86 I think - hard to miss a 7ft redhead smoking a j

[@plev10]

That's my hometown Jake!

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

To cool love to my fellow dead heads

[@chris7brook]

By 1990 The grateful Dead were Fortune 500 company 🤠

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

2 years later top 40 hit

[@brianlevine1479]

Was at these shows.

[@joeryan1369]

Does anyone know the name of the guy that had a beard and black t-shirt? His voice sounds very familiar.

[@glueforall]

Reporter: "even though they've been around about 20 years, they still mostly play the same old songs" 😆 😂

[@NicholasOsella]

I’m a 26 year old DeadHead. I don’t work for a firm or nothin’ .. but I get paid to listen. It’s a simple job, but someone’s gotta do it. Peace 2 all Beings ~ Nick.

[@TheCrappyZipper]

Why?

[@jamesmedina6277]

One toke over the line.

[@RAEckart22]

That baby at 2:20 turns 37 this year. Bill Walton was 32 in this video.

[@bluesriot2]

where can i find the soundtrack lol

[@chrisevans8694]

🤩🥰🥰🙌🤗

[@krissantos6624]

🌷🐢⚡

[@kxmotox13]

Hey Kris, short but very sweet documentary huh? Mickey always has something positive to add. He's full of energy and ideas. Show had a real nice Terrapin as well! 👍🌹🐢

[@krissantos6624]

@@kxmotox13 i feel that Mickey Hart maybe one of the most underappreciated members of the Grateful Dead... by current deadhead standards... but i think that he is seriously.... quite Cool!

[@kxmotox13]

@@krissantos6624 I very much agree! I have followed him since he came on the scene, including his farewell tour with the core four and Trey from Phish. His words are always positive, and so are his vibes!! 📻🌹🐢

[@melissagypsyconnors9382]

Who are the 2 men (1st:dark hair,beard,smoking and slightly condescending about it all?)2nd: looks like a record executive tinted glasses,sitting behind a desk, says Mickey thinks something spiritual @the band?) Both seem so familiar

[@jonathanlund6708]

This lady had it twisted because idk anyone yearning for the 60s it was great music to dance with its that simple

[@berryseinfeld6772]

Is that one guy Roger Ebert??

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Trippy audio

[@joefelice5062]

Funny that half of this discussion was rendered moot in two short years.

[@Lughnerson]

How so?

[@joefelice5062]

@@Lughnerson All the talk about the Dead having no commercial success in the record industry. In 87 they had hit records, regular airplay on the radio & Mtv, and became a perennial top grossing act from then on.

[@charlesandrews2360]

@@joefelice5062 ironically 1985 was the last time I was interested in going to Grateful Dead shows. I still love the music always have always will. It just seemed like the crowd was changing and it wasn't fun for me anymore. But I never missed a Neil Young and Crazy Horse Show between 1978 and 2012. Neil and the horse were just hitting their stride late 80s early 90s. This video is so cheesy the 80s were just horrible but the few Snippets of Grateful Dead music was worth 10 minutes of my useless life

[@joefelice5062]

@@charlesandrews2360 it’s a shame you missed out on “clean” Jerry (86-90), it was a great time. But I completely understand what you mean by the change in the crowd... used to be you could show up to any show and camp in the parking lot, always have room to roam, and always find a ticket if you didn’t have one. The venues started banning camping in 88, and the crowd swelled so much that certain venues like Hampton, Frost, and the Greek banned the Dead by 89 because too many people were showing up. I remember seeing way too many drunks and jock-types (the stereotype) at shows by 90... people who didn’t respect those around them and were there only for a party, not at all for the music. I didn’t care for that, but the music was still good enough so I put up with it. And then Jerry started to seem out of it again in 91-92, but unlike the early 80’s, the heroin affected his playing. I stopped going to shows around this time myself. They still had their moments, and I went to the odd show here and there, but it was sad to watch Jerry fading quickly and the music was a mess... I actually fell asleep at the one show I saw in 94 because it was sooo blah. But I’m so glad I got to experience that last peak before 92.

[@jeffh2563]

@@joefelice5062 that's funny, the only time I ever fell asleep at a show, was also in 94. It was at Richfied Colosseum. I fell asleep during Lazy Lighting, and woke up during Might As Well. I blame it on all of the driving.

[@pnmmaps2370]

It was a evil place ever where the dead went an was. They left many people in a jails hell behind them some where give no less then 20 years in jail for a small bit of drug's you would do less time if you robbed a bank an had a Lee's chance of going to jail.

[@shawncarpenter1972]

My 3rd step uncle removed on my step mother's adopted families in side played lead guitar for this band ....

[@noodle71110]

"tho most of their material has remained the same over the years" wtf?

[@jewelsandbinoculars1]

desperately yearning…

[@youllis]

8:29 "spark of rebellion is absent in the modern youth culture" = we 80s kids sucked - they could try to pretend but kids ALWAYS rebel ❤💙

[@youllis]

- I was laughing when I saw Gravity Falls and the kids of the day were all hippies in like 2013 too - forever

[@jonduggan7433]

Either you understand..... Or you don't......

[@briano.5746]

So true brother! 💀🎸🎶🎵💕💖🌌🧠

[@jacobdornseif]

Who's that guy with glasses and shaggy hair talking? His delivery is pretty offensive. Like know it all vibes, Mickey and the other guy were more upbeat

[@davidclarkson5534]

Okay someone do the boys a favor and how about a good AV person splice in some better audio. It is sad how much more warbly it is when they are playing versus the video of the individuals being interviewed. Come on somebody redo this video that way please! WWJD ( What would Jerry do?)

[@hubertsumlin9697]

The newscaster says they've been on the road 20 years "and their material hasn't changed much"....talk about clueless!

[@777noirkat]

Lost generation? Ha! Hippies Rule!

[@comet6907]

Tell me this town has got no Hart.. just gotta poke around🌈