Grateful Dead - Black Peter (Pittsburgh, PA 7/8/90)

"Along with High Time, Black Peter was one of the slower-tempoed, more beautiful songs on 1970's Workingman's Dead. When we were looking for a Grateful Dead concert on video with which to launch the View From The Vault series in 2001, our criteria was straightforward and was similar to all of our releases: an overall excellent show, with several exceptional highlights, those 'anchor moments.' Amongst the many of the highest highs played in Pittsburgh on 7/8/90, this Black Peter and its outro jam are some of the best." - David Lemieux
Directed by Len Dell’Amico and Co-Produced by Len Dell’Amico and GDP
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#GratefulDead #AllTheYearsLive #BlackPeter

[@gratefuldead]

"Along with High Time, Black Peter was one of the slower-tempoed, more beautiful songs on 1970's Workingman's Dead. When we were looking for a Grateful Dead concert on video with which to launch the View From The Vault series in 2001, our criteria was straightforward and was similar to all of our releases: an overall excellent show, with several exceptional highlights, those 'anchor moments.' Amongst the many of the highest highs played in Pittsburgh on 7/8/90, this Black Peter and its outro jam are some of the best." - David Lemieux

[@0otee]

You all still play?

[@myrrhakerenko5553]

Inouïe! Indicible! The Black Peter outro is not to describe. Unspeakable.

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

This brought a tear to my eye. Ill never forget meeting Jerry at a Go Ahead Band show in Oakland at the Omni. Us little Deadheads had made our way out to Oakland for New Years from Minnesota. I think we were 16 years old. My buddies wanted pictures with him but I held back to go solo as I wanted to give him this amulet I had on a necklace. It was a bronze pyramid with a glass eye in the center. So i went over and got blocked by a few entourage women, i told them i had something for Jerry and they let me past. He was sitting alone at a lowtop square table and i sat next to him and said "Hey Jerry, ive got something for you" he said "oh yeah?" "What is it?" I held it up to the stage lights, but it was too dark to see. So i held a lighter behind it and the eye took life and glowed. It surprised him as he sat up and turned to face me and said "Wow ! Did you make that yourself ? " i said no I didnt , but its the coolest thing ive seen in a while and i wanted to give it to you". He said "thanks man !" And instead of autograph or pic, i said, can I get a hug ? He said "yeah man", and got to freaking hug the Jer Bear... it was the greatest! I squeezed him as strong as I could ...lol fuck yes! This was awesome. So my friends and I partied the night away and we saw the band the next night. Flash forward 10 years and I see this Amulet on Annabelles neck in Rolling Stone Mag featuring the kids of rock stars. I could not believe my eyes! Jerry gave it to his Daughter, how cool !..flash forward 15 more years. I look online for Annabelle try an email and ask if its her, and before long im emailing back and forth as she is in tears because she was just thinking of her Dad and minutes before my email had asked him to send a sign if he could hear her. My contact was Jerrys contact. Holy heavy shit Batman. She emailed a pic of the amulet pinned to her wall in her art studio where she put it to remind herself of pops. She said out of the thousands of things she had received over the years that was her favorite . It was a meanigful talisman between her and her father that she and her sisters used to gaze through and imagine wonderous things. So my contact to her brought my Meeting Jerry full circle. If you see her please give a big heartfelt hug on my behalf.😊

[@mygrassisblue1234]

@@OCDHIFiGuy What a killer story man! You gotta call in to Tales from the Golden Road and tell them that one I’m sure they’d love to hear it and so would everyone else

[@OCDHIFiGuy]

@@mygrassisblue1234 thanks man, ill look for it !

[@feetheweasel]

Easily the most honest live performer I've ever had the honor of witnessing. It was never about how many notes he could cram into a measure of music...it was always and forever about this night, this moment, the emotion of that last second of time. I will cherish these memories forever...I will not surrender them easily.

[@gratefulgregg9058]

There's no one to surrender them but I get it man

[@joebaby555]

Jerry was an amazing vocal actor. When you were watching him live he became the character in the song he was singing. Along with incredible tone and guitar solos he was one of a kind..

[@pjbscript]

Exactly!

[@stephanlarsen8169]

A. Story teller. Jah Herb Jah Jerry from Tucson Arizona Sonoran 🏜️ desert 🍄🌵🇯🇲🇺🇸🌍

[@Karmakatt6]

100% Well said.. Wharf Rat, Loser, Sugaree, Dire Wolf.. among many others.. listening to Jerry is like mentally watching a movie and reading a book and listening to music, all at the same time..

[@lisahammermeister6340]

After his comma, he probably lived this song.

[@Nathan-gn3ls]

That is not acting my friend. ❤⚡💙

[@chriscampbell3817]

I was there. this brought a tear to my ear. my friends and I drove down from Kent State university. what a day. thanks

[@scr5051]

Uffff que recuerdos great.

[@thechad5764]

Many years later it still brings a tear to some eyes brother 💚💚💚

[@This_is_my_real_name]

Let me tell you a true story. I swear to God that every bit of this is the truth. I was going through some _heavy_ "trials" in life [details redacted], so I got in my car and began the long drive from Michigan to New York (roughly 800 miles). I jammed a GD cassette into my car's radio (this kinda dates things, doesn't it), and let it play over and over. Every time this song played, "something" in me had a kind of visceral reaction. When I got to NY I visited friends and my family members (I grew up in da Bronx). While at a friend's house, we called another friend on the phone. I hadn't spoken with her in _many_ years. She lived in the Forest Hills area of Queens, and the friend I was visiting was in Westchester County. One of the first things she told me as we conversed was that a mutual friend had died. He died of AIDS, which he got from "needle sharing." Prior to his abandoning his faith he and I were at one point "in demand" for speaking in churches and conferences. _After_ losing his faith, he opened a trendy shop in Greenwich Village, and became a junkie. He survived the smack (skag, horse, call it what you want) -- but he _didn't_ survive the sub-microscopic virus. This was in the era before effective anti-HIV drugs were available (this too kinda dates the events). Not only did he die, but he died a really _hard_ death. She was with him through it all, trying to comfort him as best she could -- wiping the blood from his lips and so forth. After he died, she had a kind of nervous breakdown and went down to Florida for a while. The friend I was staying with and I went down to Forest Hills to visit her. She was glad to see us both and reminisce over... life. I let my big fat mouth do something I fear caused her more pain than any one person should ever have to bear. While we were talking she said something about how she loved him, and always wished they could become a couple, but, she kept it to herself, never thinking he'd be interested in her in that way. Without thinking, I told her that _he_ loved her -- _always_ loved her from the moment they met lo those many years ago, but apparently didn't think _she_ would be interested in _him._ When I said that, the look on her face made it clear that I never should have said a single word about it! Now, the eerie part: I began this essay by relating how that song played over and over as the album kept repeating, and how "something" in me had a reaction in my heart every time it played -- and I recalled how my late friend really liked that song and would comment on the lyrics. My late friend was named Peter.

[@daveyboy8907]

@@thechad5764 damn right

[@ceeweedsl]

@@This_is_my_real_nameThank you. Our stories are what give meaning to our lives. All of ours together is humanity.

[@bobdobbs7080]

Don't remember this but I was here, there and everywhere in between.

[@WallyPDoyle111]

Too much Slack perhaps?

[@bobdobbs7080]

@@WallyPDoyle111 No such thing exists.

[@WallyPDoyle111]

@@bobdobbs7080 This is the answer. Bob is the way. Slacktivate!

[@Marksbrother]

Bob Dobbs I was there too & I don’t remember this either! I remember bits of the second set, Samson->Eyes->Estimated... and then - blank until the very end of ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. I was transported somewhere...

[@cv-bo5to]

Was it the alcohol, pot or lsd that caused the memory loss lol.

[@magtangscott]

I as also at this show, which was the only time I ever heard Jerry sing, "As STRONG as me" instead of as "as POOR as me" in Black Peter (at 6:28). Anybody else ever catch him doing that?

[@jimjones8268]

The crowd caught it

[@veneta72]

I forgot the lyric and before he sang it I felt he was going to sing strong 💪. Funny. The moment called for it. Even this many years later

[@kevinprunty130]

Never

[@ceeweedsl]

No, first/only time to hear that switch-up

[@bevver810]

yep

[@robbiekohart4875]

The harmonies on this version 🔥🔥🔥 love the texture of Brent's voice against Jerry's. 💖🤘

[@Canigetuhhhhhh3]

It’s incredibly good on this. Can’t get enough!

[@leftcoast2681]

Less than 3 weeks later, Brent Mydland was dead, and this greatest regular line-up of the Grateful Dead was history.

[@veneta72]

Leftcoast 🤔

[@erichanhauser3190]

I was so fucking bummed.

[@gratefuldrifter6588]

Sad my deadhead friend,life is short,tell Your family and friends you love them everday,we can check-out anytime.Takecare

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Some would beg to differ on 79-90 having their greatest lineup but it was definitely in the top 3. My top 3 changes every time I put on a new show so......cheers

[@BPF57]

I was there! CSN opened it was so Devine!

[@jahmansb]

Thank you all for posting. Was here and many other nights .. Love you all.. I'm 19,000 days old today ... And it's just like any other day !! Miss it but so glad to have lived !

[@thecincinnatikid5133]

this song is one of many masterpieces.. drink that whiskey and it hits even harder!

[@gbeatz4844]

Or drop a tab to two

[@eddiesharp4922]

This was a delightful show at the three rivers stadium, Cosby, stills and nash opened up.

[@gotsmurb72]

Nice. That sounds like an incredible day at the ol' ballpark🔥

[@MrMonkchuck]

Yes! What a great day this was. Couldn’t have asked for a better opener. The Dead cooked that day too. The only problem was we spent the whole show standing on our seats on the field. The stage was very high so the people up front couldn’t see. I also remember them hosing the crowd down with fire hoses because of the heat & people were using the tarp covering the field as a slip & slide. Great times!

[@erichanhauser3190]

@@MrMonkchuck My friend & I had seats in 2nd row on the far right side of stage. I remember the slip & slide like it was yesterday. Was pretty knarly. When show started, the Heads calmly took apart the plastic chairs that were zip tied together & somewhat neatly stacked them behind us. Was wild. Dance floor opened up. Spent the 2nd set in the tapers pit. Quietly of course, my friend was taping. Wang Dang Doodle.

[@Nealcass75]

JERRY LIVES ❤️⚡️FROM ITALY

[@gregorythomas2674]

Ciao Italia!

[@jimmyhawke]

I was really high at this show!

[@jackstraw8145]

And vast majority of the rest too. Good times.

[@lancemccormick769]

High?? High at a Dead show? Wtf man?!?!LOL

[@1deadhead]

I have requested this to be played at my memorial ! Thanks Jerry,

[@theyoungamptech320]

Brents Harmonies are unmatched.

[@JenDoe1]

Amen to that my friend. Especially here. So perfect it had to be….meant to be for this amazing night!!!

[@dansokulski4039]

I have a buddy is in hospice and I needed to play this real loud tonight. Most profound experience I’ve had with the song in decades. Interesting little lyric change in the last verse where Jerry says “strong” instead of “poor” and it hit the spot for me

[@Kati626]

Searched for a post-coma w/ Brent version of this - my big beautiful 20 year old black cat Peter finally left this world and wanted to post the song. Jerry singing “strong” instead of poor here is perfect. I miss Jerry. And I’m gonna miss my Familiar, my love, my Black Peter forever 💔🐈‍⬛💔

[@stochasticdifferentialeq.1393]

I remember I saw them when they were young. I still remember those days.

[@theyoungamptech320]

On of my favorite bridges ever. The tone wild.

[@nealmccarthy5903]

"So fiiiiine" gets me every time TYTYTY

[@JenDoe1]

Every tiiiiiime!

[@mjula1027]

Was there!! Great time indeed!

[@gotsmurb72]

Sun goin up And then the Sun it goin down Shine through my window and My friends they come around 💀🌹⚡

[@daveyboy8907]

Yeah they come around.

[@kevinmulcahy7991]

your friends they come around?

[@TheDerider]

It is interesting to note the lyrics change from “as poor as me” to “as strong as me”, especially in these times. From Jerry’s perspective he may have been referring to surviving the ‘black blood coma” he went through?

[@bevver810]

noticed that too

[@jeffr.4157]

I JUST passed this point in the song and went to comment on it. (~);')

[@freddypixtunn]

They're robert hunters lyrics, dmt trip look it up really cool story

[@davidgiles6856]

Nah he just flubbed the lyric lol …wasn’t a rare occurrence

[@davidmotlagh9779]

What a beautiful song. I used to remember all the lyrics, but, well you know ...

[@BonAirCadet]

Each time I watch it, the better it gets

[@davidturner4914]

This was a great show to be at. We drove from Richmond, and it was worth the drive. I miss seeing Jerry, Bob, Phil, Mickey,Bill,and Brent. I am sure Jerry is jamming out in Heaven

[@BRadFPV]

Brings tears to my eyes 🔥🔥🔥

[@GhostfaceKiller_93]

Great Version of Black Peter, my Favorite Version Is from 10-29-77, 💀⚡

[@user-fy8tu6vf2x]

Heard this song up in Oregon for the first time live...small venue, small crowd, still daylight, creeping iinto night. Always loved the ballads...!

[@paulperkins1615]

With that creaky old man's voice, Jerry still hits the notes, musically and emotionally. Nothing false at all. That's what I call singing.

[@michaelfriese431]

This one gives me more intense pleasure chills than other Dead songs… so much emotion! One of my songs on the set list for my celebration of life… hopefully a long time from now… Thanks to Jerry and The Boys for another amazing performance….

[@michaeliscoool]

6:55 listen to that crowed. That’s the kinda moments that made it special from my perspective

[@SuperKoolDude]

Us deadhead are a rather eclectic group of freaks. The music unites she the love flows through. Thanks Cap'n and everyone for such a wonderful bus ride. I'm never getting off.

[@mathewmcconahy8833]

These late 80's and 90's Jerry ballads are masterful, thet hit different from the also beautiful 70's versions.

[@vwjay270]

I had my In the dark cassette but had no idea what I was in for as we headed up to Saratoga 88!

[@tomgillespie9815]

I was there also. Trucked up to Buffalo following week. This whole show is 🔥🔥⚡💀🌷

[@mito88]

like the do-dah man? :)

[@0otee]

Bluesy blues.. And where are they now.. these Musicmen? We luckily always have your music❣️❤️🌹👌💫

[@johnnydez4392]

This makes me miss all my friends.

[@jackhiggins24]

I feel like I just saw him for the first time 😮 capturing that moment in time and now playing it in my hand is so futuristic!

[@josephanderson3889]

Reminds of playing live guitar and all your friends come to see you 😃

[@tonydanis1480]

Those little parenthetical bass "burps" Phils plays are incredible.

[@REPS-kb7up]

Totally amazing… no song that I’d I’d rather hear at this particular moment. Sometimes I feel like I’m Black Peter and in bed busy dying. See how everything lead up to this day.

[@BluesTeardrop]

Great!

[@soulshakedown1013]

Euphoric 😎🎵🎵🎵

[@scotth6456]

Always chokes me up. So sad

[@jimburnham7282]

So glad to find this beautifully done version of one of my favorite songs... I remember buying Workingman's Dead my senior year in HS. Even though, it wasn't that available in the Texas Panhandle. But this album (and song), really caught my attention. and this is a great performance...

[@toddsmith1083]

Awesome Black Peter!

[@j.cordellsteinmetz9219]

Just so good...

[@TonyOneto]

Love it so much! Thank you for posting!

[@theworldisavampire3346]

This song.. It's my EVERYTHING just about.

[@atllzable]

My god….💙💙💙…That was beautiful…⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@docwill184]

Jerry cleaned up here? Looking, sounding strong. Off the juice he was magic...

[@artformnation]

It’s like the ticking of a clock

[@jamescarey5415]

Jerry and that guitar man could he jam effortlessly smooth.

[@chadsams7282]

Smokin 90's version of one of their best... ⚡🌹💀🌹⚡

[@777jones]

Thanks for highlighting this, it’s an overlooked performance, timely song, great version :).

[@erichanhauser3190]

This was an awesome show.

[@gd19881995]

Miss Jerry every day

[@deadmetal8692]

Thankx

[@evanerys]

This performance has some great guitar work being done by Bobby completely off screen. Bob Weir is the epitome of the guitar player who is drastically underrated for being not quite as good as the other guy in his band.

[@fatmunch6318]

Na I love Bobby he didn’t play lead but he wore the best shorts

[@alexeyschezel8641]

love it!

[@jimburnham7282]

Have to say: my favorite UTube post. And I've been watching since, the beginning...

[@thecincinnatikid5133]

also wish Brent put the needle down! Man couple weeks later after this show that was that. He was perfect elevation for this era of the band 1980-1990 best decade ever. Run and seeeee

[@benhill144]

pure gold

[@timbaldwin6283]

Wait. I was at this show. Me, Rob and Doc. What a great song. Sure do miss Jerry and his little sidekick Brent. Thank you for the video. Have a good day everyone.

[@michaelfriese431]

It was so beautiful to watch Brent and Jerry play off each other and feed off each other’s energy… I feel like Brent joining the band gave Jerry a new energy that seemed to give him renewed inspiration and enjoyment

[@craigholliday]

How bout posting that whole show. More Brent please.

[@tomb613]

Brent's organ is sublime.... N.F.A.

[@spit-boy9991]

Brent's eyes are my goal in life😳

[@enigmasoftheancientworld5245]

Interesting mix.

[@castlecragscoop9564]

Jerry I miss you and I miss your song

[@xthehereticx]

damn.. you can really feel jerrys anguish come through on this one.

[@mikepruzon-ri7tc]

I think the word Jerry subbed for Poor was Straw. like hollow. makes more sense and its what I hear each time.

[@sneakerfacevids441]

Nice, but already released on dvd. How about the rest of that Louisville show, some of which was bonus footage on the 7/8/90 release ?

[@doodahman2995]

Hot Damn!!!

[@frankiebarton907]

Blues Power

[@christopherpopyk5797]

Red Rock.... Winter Snow 🌨️

[@jurassicblueberries4611]

And Thank You ! #BlackPeter

[@MadMaltMasher]

8 days before I got on the bus

[@jackstraw8145]

Fever roll up to a hundred and five Roll on up Gonna roll back down One more day I find myself alive Tomorrow Maybe go Beneath the ground Stay away covid19!

[@daveyboy8907]

Covid😂🤣🤣

[@kurtdavidson9808]

Yeah I remember that show. That was really kinda freaky.

[@timothyzelesky4018]

Jam on it Jerry!

[@augustwestusa]

I remember someone telling me they ran out of the show early to get tie-dyes ready to sell when Black Peter came on! Because they didn't like the slowness. ARE YOU KIDDING! I love Black Peter! I would never leave a show early no matter what. Well. I did one time. I was up front, my usual spot in from of Jerry, and after three songs I had to wave goodbye! I had another show to go to. ha ha ha. I got in free so, no problem. I didn't waste a ticket!

[@wzardglick]

Wait? What? I was at that show...

[@murrayscott9546]

Ol' Pig-pen's rollin', innis grave.

[@jonathanogburn896]

I think I was at this show.

[@nathanbrungard2689]

wait for it, lol. 🙏🏼

[@davids6652]

This must’ve been one of Brent’s last shows 😢

[@DSWL_]

🖤💀🖤

[@herbythechef7624]

Came to say bobbys slide sounds good here

[@calburge4338]

I think after Brent died. Jerry couldn’t handle it. Needed his fix. Too bad. RIP JERRY N BRENT

[@ericwid]

✌️ Jerry Sublime 🥀

[@bunnybeckman8029]

Hi David lemixu

[@nicandkiritos22]

He must have lost a very close friend to write this song. He wasn't acting ,other commenter. I'm listening to this because a loved one died . It wasn't his time , it was a motorcycle accident

[@Zoetropeification]

We chartered us bus from Columbus to this show. It's usually just over a 3 hour drive. After stopping for a break at a truckstop it took a while for 44 hippies to get back on the bus and it became a 5 hour trip. I remember stopping close to the stadium and while we were getting off the bus security was yelling at the driver that he could not stop there. He didn't move until we were all off the bus. Think we missed a song or two from CSN. I remember some of us sang along when they played "Wasted on the Way" Of course none of us knew it would be the last time for us to see Brent Mydland. Cut to present day and more than a few who rode that charter bus have now left our earthly dimension too.

[@calcoleman2398]

A prescient posting?

[@klenmcrock5265]

Think Jerry just got his last haircut before this show.

[@jg6698]

Lol

[@John-je3yg]

The close up camera ruined this. Take a step back.

[@calburge4338]

I dunno bout anyone else but i hear a hint of sugaree in this tune

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Hey yootoob, you moved the comments and that's just cruel on account of me being old and baked.

[@brianmitchell8964]

Poor Brent. He was a mess near the end

[@max_mittler]

and that's with only 9.5 fingers. imagine if he had 10