Grateful Dead - Hard to Handle (8-6-71)

Hard to Handle by the Grateful Dead. Off of Fallout from the Phil Zone; recorded at the Hollywood Palladium on August 6, 1971.
Enjoy!

[@lutealumni8430]

This was my very first Dead “Dance/Concert.” A SF friend had to drag me to the LA Palladium saying “You have to see this.” I think tickets were $5. I had no idea who was on stage. I was standing towards the back when Pig Pen got up and “sang” and I wondered “Who IS this guy?” The girls and guys went nuts when the band really kicked in. I started to laugh, looked around and took in the fantastic scene. What fun!; people were hysterical/happy jumping up and down, clapping, hooting. Insane! It was too much! I saw a guy off my right with what looked like a R2R recorder holding a mike on a short pole, and I laughed; someone was getting this on tape. I couldn't really see what was happening on stage because of everyone jumping - but who cared? The music was unbelievable! Garcia was awesome! That band! What a show! That night is when it all began for me, and many GD concerts later, I think it true - there was, and is, nothing on this planet like a Grateful Dead concert and this recording proves it again for me. When I hear these solos, it brings tears to my eyes that this ever happened at all. Thanks Jerry. Thanks band. And thanks LST so much for posting this - and to whom ever recorded this classic/ timeless piece of history that night. I've always wondered if was that guy to my right.

[@scholt.4569]

born in '91 (noone in my family is a head) so never got to experience the real thing but that story sums up everything perfectly. Thank you GD for inspiring so many new artists and people to replicate your sound so that I can live it

[@thekidbehindthecomputer8761]

Sounds kinda true ;)

[@chewTalkinboutWillis]

This is BY FAR the best version of this song ever recorded in my opinion, also one of my favorite JG solos. Thanks for posting, I haven't heard this recording in quite awhile.

[@tedward7086]

Heard Ole Jerome dropped to his knees during this solo 😂 had a friend tell me this for laughs but he also really was at the show but as for the theatrics idk hahaha

[@shanesuski4573]

@@tedward7086 apparently Jer's strap broke or came undone, that's why he dropped to his knee. The crowd definitely ate it up though!

[@rwp340]

I first heard this on a phil zone cd some dozen years ago.. according to the linear notes written.. Phil seems to remember that Pig was starting to go into some funky kind of dance which brought the crowd into a howling frenzy... My almost 40 years of hearing, listening and seeing the dead this is an amazing jam..imho maybe one of the best ever!

[@ToldAlthea]

+robby p Fuckin A. Right on.....

[@erichanhauser3190]

A frenzy indeed.

[@jcedwards8363]

One of Jerry's most epic solos!

[@304bobgnarly]

Good grief, this is so funkin rowdy I’m surprised no one was seriously injured that night. What a throw down. Would be hard to handle myself in a situation like that

[@theemployee1561]

Even without one of the greatest rock solos ever this song would still be one of their best. So cooking...

[@nickhottle773]

One of the best guitar solos ever recorded

[@Kenny-hi6rt]

The best version of Hard to Handle hands down! This is also on the CD called Fallout From the Phil Zone Grateful Dead Records. The next night 8/7/1971 they played it again in San Diego (Dicks Picks 35). Dicks Picks 35 is amazing. Check it out

[@scharf1]

'71 and '72 were the Dead's greatest years for live shows. They came back sporadically here and there (Fall of '77, Fall of '80, Spring of '87, Summer of '89), but even then, nothing matched their energy and abilities of '71 and '72. This "Hard to Handle" here was the "norm" for that time period.

[@jcedwards8363]

I'd also pick 1969, '73 and spring '77.

[@dhmtbr2551]

In my opinion, much of the reason ‘71 & ‘72 where such stellar years is the ferocity in which Jerry played his SG ✌🏻

[@kylekhaos9941]

You think you know what you need to know being I life long head, then you stumble across this.......

[@lucasfaunce4450]

this turn around in the jam was one of the tightest I've heard any band, and blaring in Warlock style...

[@tedward7086]

The world needs more Pigpen

[@evanwolf6618]

I was thinking that . The Peanuts cartoon could have featured more PigPen .

[@Theopengrove]

Woo woo, this show needs to go up on spotify

[@richardalmstead8803]

I agreee with the last few comments this is the best recording of this jam and 71-73 best years no doubt

[@maynord1420]

holy fuck the lead guitar and that crowd. it's like the energy of 10 atomic bombs. reminds me of eating acid in the strippins jamming all night with the crew

[@wangson]

This one, here? This is the Dead's best version of their take on Hard to Handle!! This version is just fire!!!! Particularly, when Jerry takes over the solo coming near the end of the song...oh man!! Jerry's just inspired with his playing there!!!!

[@timhorpo]

Absolutely smoking

[@mattferrara6472]

i remember reading a review of this (liner notes?) where the author was wondering why the crowd was so loud. Bro, the band was cooking and Pig was on stage!!!!! 'i gotta get some...some of your loooove!" at 1:55 one of those lines I'll always remember and blurt out after not hearing this for a few years. That and the "aaaaaaahhhh hard to handle" at 2:29

[@niereka]

I had this on a bootleg record way back in the day, real rough, wow, they cleaned it up, I never thought I'd hear it again. I always loved the crowd noise and the screaming bloody dancin out the demon screams, workin up a sweat screams

[@mikeanderson7063]

They've actually uncovered a soundboard for this show, and released it on one of the Road Trips discs. Although it's a little disappointing, some of the energy seems lacking without the audience going nuts. Cue Hunter Seamons and his amazing skill at blending audience and board recordings: soundcloud.com/hunters-trix/hard-to-handle-8-6-71

[@niereka]

Mike Anderson hey thanks, awesome

[@johnluhm5598]

Probably the best Jerry solo I’ve ever heard if anyone knows any others along the same line please let me know thanks!!

[@adamtisdelle3202]

The hard to handle from April 28th 1971 has an amazing Jerry solo.

[@thespacecowboy985]

I would love to know how those 6 people could dislike this

[@danhaig8900]

Because it's not a note for note identical copy of the original. Some people just don't get it.

[@ThenThereWasX]

thanks pig for your music energy.. love this tune.. band is on fire!!

[@Tailspin98]

Man all of the songs from this concert were really good!

[@bikerXtrash]

the best. period.

[@uneek23]

One of my favorite Jerry Solos as well.. Bobby's solo section is pretty tight on this one too. just a lot of good energy throughout this whole song

[@911hindt]

Wish they had the video live in the stadium. I can't find it anywhere. If someone finds it let me know

[@pembrokejones3969]

The Hollywood Paladium is a theater that holds about 4000 people...

[@spicacolorado]

One of my favorite Garcia solos

[@andrewmurray3578]

Pig was the best way out my favorite for sure!!!!!

[@george00719]

Raw as f**k...nice

[@peterabbey1539]

Jerry at his absolute finest.

[@ryanzoerner2359]

"Mom (to her 11-year-old)": Why don't you want to take your little brother with you? "Pigpen": I'm a big old man, and I can't stand. When I want it and uh you don't wanna give it to me-ee. "Pigpen": Just get a little bit harder, an' I got to get it some way. "Pigpen": Just get a little bit harder, an' I got to get it some way. (Pigpen's younger brother's over there supporting pig-pen's point now.) "Pigpen": My my... I got to get it! (Pigpen knows his little brother got hurt, and doesn't care)

[@AnvilOfTheGods]

awesome version for the energy and Jerry's solo but I wish Phil came thru louder

[@thekidbehindthecomputer8761]

I love you Oliver! Here's some nasty pig shit son. You'll understand one day. I love you so much. You can find the light through music son. Always remember that.

[@lzrdkng79]

Forever Grateful. Pigpen is all you need. God is dead and his name was Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

[@taylorknoebel8997]

beast hard to handle ever .period .

[@lutealumni8430]

Are u related to Dave Knoebel by any chance? He was there with me that night along with Mark Mac

[@taylorknoebel8997]

don't think so brother

[@taylorknoebel8997]

fams from pittsburgh wish id seen pig but was late being born what can u do just started year brent died :(

[@taylorknoebel8997]

i need a 5/19/74 sbd u trade?

[@johnloiud]

I had a first Set tape of this concert back in 1982 when I was first turned onto the GD. This 'Hard To Handle' seems to be the 'One'. Through much cross-referencing, I have discovered the crowd goes absolutley nuts, as if this great rendition of this song was not enough. Apparently, at some point during the jam, Jerry get down on his knees while playing. I guess he was able to do that in those days. I guess this can only be corroborated by someone who was in attendance, who is honest and clearly remembers it. Phil Lesh did not know the reason as mentioned in his great book, 'Searching For The Sound'.

[@pembrokejones3969]

I heard that his guitar strap broke...

[@chungasrevenge921]

Owwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brandoncargile847]

this is what you call "Skinnin it back" aaaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

[@WalterWrayJr]

Caliente'!

[@wesleystutler8301]

Spitting fire......???pig was the shiznit but for my money it's Bobby's intro and Jerry's solo that make this one unforgettable. Jerry makes u think he's gonna stop and then....bam an even more badass continuation of the riff! I'd like to here more comments on this so hit back!

[@RayNDeere]

I've got Fallout From the Phil Zone, and this sounds pretty much like the Fallout version. Not that it matters, I never heard a bad version of "Hard to Handle" when Pig's doing the testifying

[@erichanhauser3190]

The Sninbz.

[@jcedwards8363]

PIG!!!!!!

[@FRANCECHILD]

WHISKY

[@Lilleopea]

pigpennnnnn

[@maxkiser4412]

The nirvana version is better