Garcia & Weir on Letterman 4-13-1982, New York, NY (LoloYodel)

This is the COMPLETE (15 min) and 1st appearance of Jerry Garcia & Bob Weir on the David Letterman Show, April 13th 1982.
It was on April 13th 1982, during the Grateful Dead's Spring Tour, on a night-off between shows at Nassau and Glens Falls, NY.
The introduction is funny with Letterman teaching Jerry how to play "Proud Marry" on acoustic guitar...
Afterwards, Jerry and Bobby revealed terrific humor in describing SF in the "early years", the GD community, "Dead Heads" et al...
Hilarious and classic stuff.
In the middle, they perform two acoustic songs :
5:55 "Deep Elem Blues" and then, after a break ...
12:39 "Monkey & The Engineer"
PS : Bobby seemed to have a terrible "cold" ...

[@julier1080]

Beautiful sentiment about letting fans tape the shows. "When we're done with it they can have it". And Weir's comment is absolutely true too- "If we ever make a real good record they'd probably buy it anyway... and the tapes bring back memories and stuff" This to me epitomizes the Grateful Dead- freely sharing the fun and magic of their music.

[@roxannemoser]

True artists

[@scrumpymanjack]

I couldn’t agree more with this...they were the true spirit of those times and, as it turns out, incredibly far sighted.

[@JasonDebly]

julie r The Dead were so refreshing because they had no commercial intent or chase for the dollar. Their chase was for great music and times and feeling.

[@sdushdiu]

Yawn. Until their dissolution and the reality of having to pay for a living became all too real.

[@sdushdiu]

@@JasonDebly Childish fantasies and far too many kids commenting.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

He represented San Francisco sure but Jerry and Bob also represented a lot of the southern music culture of country folk,blues ,soul,etc....Jerry could play the hell out of Appalachian Banjo Music ..He was a monster of all of it.

[@mito88]

old and in the way.

[@mobiditch6848]

Masters of “Americana”.

[@alohathelion]

But they are from the Bay area, and exemplified the cultural revolution that happened there.

[@emiller9426]

And strong Bluegrass connection/influence.

[@jakereder7508]

Love his pedal steel with NRPS

[@balongisland3065]

The clip makes me realize how much I miss Jerry. His quiet presence just made you feel good. Bob sounded quite good on guitar and vocals, BTW.

[@grizzlybear4]

So true. He was a srsly sweet person.

[@sunshinenblues]

Bob had presence, i should know since i spent a weekend with them in 1969!

[@SuperStrik9]

The acoustic side of the band is INCREDIBLE and VERY underrated. Reckoning is such a great album and is chock full of great acoustic Dead.

[@georgedoolittle7574]

Before "MTV unplugged"...more than a decade before I might add...was this. Meanwhile the rest of New York media was spewing forth Michael Jackson and Madonna who were only good for about five songs and a dance routine. Talk about "the death of New York City as even relevant" would be an understatement and especially after this ahem "number" ahem.

[@stephanlarsen8169]

Yes grew up in Lucas valley San Rafael Marin. Played reckoning for my mom who was from Sweden. Never an American citizen and she loved it. My dad too who was born in 1914. They gave me fifty bucks to see Jerry at Warfield. My first show was Cal expo. Tripping. Brent had his two daughters on his keyboard. Will never ever ever never forget that. A band beyond description

[@davidjutovsky4518]

One of my fave acoustic GD albums

[@bluehole6019]

I love the (almost) acoustic version of Friend Of The Devil from Dead Set. One of my favorites.

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

Workingmans dead is a great example too. One of my personal favorites.

[@kuddlykoala896]

Jerry is so cheerful. and Bobby is so spaced out. what an awesome team !!

[@topshelf2855]

I love how Jerry dishes it out Letterman re: the Ashtray. Priceless.

[@PattiCornell]

Sending love to you all from Patti Cornell

[@russellroesner6073]

Shows you how amazing WEIR is! Everyone caps on his singing etc. but this guy is like an Eintien of back up guitar. Jazz, blues, country, and all the rest. Weir is very much underated.

[@topshelf2855]

Completely underrated as a rhythm guitarist. People have to realize how hard it is playing between two virtuoso's (Lesh & Garcia). Weir figured out how to fill the spaces between.

[@marios3202]

He's underrated in everything. Some of the most iconic Dead songs were Weir. Truckin? Throwing Stones? Estimated Prophet? He doesn't get the credit he really deserves. As much an important part of Grateful Dead as Jerry was (no disrespect to Jerry at all).

[@chadheydt8221]

The man doesn't amazing solo show as well good to see him in my own little happy park it was one of the greatest shows ever

[@will.a.benjamin]

"When we're done with it, they can have it" This is why I love Jerry so much. It was all about giving to the audience.

[@joshuanewburger]

NOW i want enchiladas

[@129aug]

watch this interview every few years, love it! bob is out of his mind but still maintains performance, jerry is a savior

[@bens3935]

I watch it every night

[@JimmyDaGent796]

Jerry...not a greedy man..unheard of in today's music business..

[@dylanjoseph583]

Bobby's rhythm guitar playing is absolutely second to none.

[@gucketjug]

And he’s spun to heaven here too 😂😂

[@theme542]

@@gucketjug that's how he prefers to play lol

[@jimmyjam6764]

Bob is just so insanely out to lunch even Jerry knows it hahaha

[@timothy3732]

This is why I love the internet! To find gems like this that someone had the foresight to upload which reminds me why I miss and love The Dead so much!!!!

[@GLiC]

The greatest and most important american rock n roll band.

[@Jl-en1cd]

100%

[@aldelta19]

No

[@benjamincox4211]

Slim Dizzle them and The Beach Boys.

[@blahblah606]

Add Velvet Underground and P-Funk and you get the most important American bands. GD only gets you so far. They are no doubt amazing.

[@93clayb]

I totally get what everyone here is saying about each of these bands, all great and important in their own right, but ultimately art is subjective and so what I think the original comment is referring to is the unique cultural phenomenon that is the Dead. They are unlike any band that has existed before or since.

[@EdSnowedIn]

Garcia’s ‘ashtray’ joke makes Letterman realize he’s dealing with a formidable intellect. JG was extremely clever.

[@patrickvalicenti5971]

edsnowden yeah he was There was a funny skit he did on Letterman a few years later. Him and Dave are playing Scrabble and Dave lays the word Truck down and on JG’s turn he adds ‘in’ to Truckin “Jerry your always doin that, I quit” Something like that, I thought it funny

[@samsmith4216]

Yeah...genius response...please. If that's the sign of a formidable intellect I'm a damn rocket scientist.

[@jarretjordan3837]

@@samsmith4216 what brought you here?

[@clancykobane9102]

@@samsmith4216 hope your butt feels better soon

[@jakeg.7562]

@@samsmith4216 We all hate you

[@pelekalikimaka]

I just happen upon this interview on its 39th anniversary and I’m absolutely floored by Jerry. He’s such a kind-hearted soul that radiates calm and loving energy. What a man.

[@cjmull42]

Bobby is awesome. He looks like he's about to take a trip to the Mars hotel, and yet sounds incredible when it's time to play.

[@RoLLin60sCubnasty]

God Bobby and Jerry played so well together. A guitar partnership that lasted 30 years

[@davidtavares5252]

In 66 & 67 after the Fillmore Garcia would come back with us to 1400 Montgomery St. and keep playing. I don't remember ever seeing him not playing. We all would be puffing the weed and drinking wine while Jerry was playing. His playing would get our attention, all talking would stop, our attention focused on him, and he would look up smiling at us. He would know he had us.

[@pablohereza9993]

35 years after, we , from Spain, remember the first only concert in Barcelona, always in ours lifes

[@LoloYodel]

Pleased to see that this video (which I humbly compiled through the years) appears intact on the OFFICIAL Jerry Garcia.com website !

[@dougzander4959]

LoloYodel dave

[@chucknottinham5756]

love u jerry miss u to the moon and back

[@veek.6463]

"It hurts" maybe he most underrated comedian of all time. Hilarious. Thanks lolo. I love your many compilations. They are always well done and lots of fun.

[@Canard712]

Kudos to you for providing this *share* -- Deeply in tune with the Dead ethos.

[@lunasea2541]

LoloYodel I'm pleased to see this video. Thanks bunches!

[@seanweir9750]

I clicked on this to see the interview. Wasn't sure if I would see them play. The music sure made me smile when they did.

[@johninjersey]

I wasn't a Deadhead as a kid but now I love their music and their free spirit! They made music because they loved making music, not for the money. They had wonderful attitudes. RIP Jerry Garcia

[@topshelf2855]

The thing is, the "Dead Family" became a burden to Garcia and the thinking is it pushed him further and further into his addiction to keep it rolling. He once said If he could play one show with the dead, one show with the garcia band and one show with grisman and company each week, he would be happy as a clam. The Dead tours become a grind to keep the extended operation rolling.

[@rcampbell2224]

"More fun than a frog in a glass of milk" -Bob

[@aaronmaiden3606]

and

[@andrewstevens2719]

No need to elaborate further

[@bobouzala]

Thank goodness this was broadcast late at night so the kiddies didn't get corrupted. Thanks for the trip back in time!

[@namelia4439]

Very so often, I come back to this...I watch and listen and it makes me so happy...Jerry, Bobby, and Dave...does it get any better????? That intro alone make me grin and giggle!!!

[@martykate6836]

What I liked about Letterman, he always had fun with his guests

[@sam_uelson]

Bobby was 35 looking 20, Garcia was 40 looking 70

[@cherylmailloux9647]

I think they both look great 😊

[@clarencerussell123]

Jerry was getting into heroin and Bob wasn't. Jerry should have stuck to cannabis and psychedelics.

[@mattrobillard5650]

Clarence Russell I think the whole band got into heroin at points. Maybe Bobby was the only one who didn’t

[@steveconn]

No, he looks 35 alright.

[@clarencerussell123]

That excellent physical condition he's maintained his entire life makes him look youthful.

[@codybrockway1616]

I absolutely love these guys. They evoke such positivity and great feelings. Us ‘heads have a lot to thank them for. Instantly you can put on their music and your day is better/great. God bless and love these guys, RIP Jerry Garcia. ❤️🎵

[@79SteelyMatt]

Man I miss going to see The Dead some of the best times and memories of my life-Southern California mid to late 80's-Jerry Garcia will always be the King to me-his presence and aura was magical-I see that now after seeing hundreds of other musicians and bands over the years none of them had his magical gifts just by being there.You never realize when you were doing it that those were the best times you will or would ever have.Jerry Garcia lives forever and his spirit will never die!!

[@veek.6463]

It's true. Have seen hundreds of shows- some incredibly fine players to more recent good, hard playing bands and no one could hold a space like Garcia. It was collective and yet at the same time entirely personal. A real spiritual experience. He is a special Buddha of all three types hoped for in this world 1) liberates via word 2) liberates via music and art 3) liberates via creation of sacred space in which self realization is possible.

[@grizzlybear4]

❤

[@joshuanewburger]

👍

[@Jimbo4327]

I was at Nassau the night before and Glens Falls the next night..Ha ha....What an awesome time

[@namelia4439]

My favorite Garcia line from this whole interview?? “And when we’re done w it, they can have it”, in reference to all their live shows and the tapers who can record them for free and freely share them...all those millions of bootlegs out there that I used to collect like crazy... just the most laid-back, chilled out, music loving, music sharing, deadhead appreciating gift of a band and its members that anyone could ever have...How I miss Jerry and Brent and, to the extent that he no longer tours, I miss Phil...these might be the most cliche things to say EVER, but they are both meaningful and true...”Mama, Mama, many worlds I’ve come since I first left home” and “What a long, strange trip it’s been”...and these days, I lean a lot on, “Nothin’ left to do but smile, Smile, SMILE”!!!!!!!! Even though Dead and Co are a slightly different animal than the Grateful Dead have always been, we’ve all adapted to it pretty well...I’m thinking that if they ever do another summer tour, I might have to join them for a bit...wishing peace, love, happiness, music, and good health to everyone out there!!!!! ☮️ 💚🤗🎶👍🏽🤩🥰😍💜💙✌🏽🎼😎🎵 🌈 🌸 🐢🍄🌼🌞🍻🎸🎹🎤🎨🚎🚘🎊🎉🧸🎫💝☯️🕉🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@eloiseconleymissthemespeci7540]

Miss the Grateful Dead, also miss interviewers like David Letterman. Thanks for the chance to see these guys again..

[@sttarch5150]

Jerrt, I miss you and love your legacy.

[@notfromhawaii]

Dave is cool. Having these guys as guests fully confirms his legacy as my fave tv host of all times. Nothing compares to you, Dave.

[@hrln26]

If i drink 3 bootles of beer i can't play an Am on guitar, these guys fried to death playing like this pure talent

[@taylorw2199]

Wow! Just seeing these 2 guys here and sounding so good and making it look easy. I miss it , nothing like it now!!

[@craigwells6227]

Used to stay up late when I was like 12 listen to Letterman's show. I remember this one forever. Jerry n Bob*****

[@ustheserfs]

All you ever need to know about these guys is the feel of the songs they sang.

[@glab19403]

Right on bro! They were my heyday years as well! I grew up 30 minutes from the Philly Spectrum, and was down there for every tour... Saw two shows in 85, all three in March 86 (red shirt Jerry) etc etc etc ... wish I had a time machine to go back, like totally man...!

[@sablon3123]

Thank you Lolo And Jerry,Bobby,Phil and everyone who was there blessed be!

[@mareelara2210]

I saw this episode at a friend's place in Austin. Great memory

[@jackashworth3956]

'We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave... So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high water mark - that place where the wave finally broke, and rolled back' - Hunter S Thompson. Was never said better. Bless Hunter, Bless Jerry, bless those fine old swines.

[@theallseeingmaster]

I feel privileged that I got to attend their performance in front of 600,000 in 1973. somewhere, I still have my ticket.

[@big120treez]

Wish the world still had Jerry ✌💜💋

[@allisonboone7973]

Thanks, I really need this :)

[@ono-rc-diction9480]

My first dead show was by absolute accident. Shoreline amphitheater California summer 1991 first time ever took mushrooms and somewhere in that wackiness I was helping change the diaper on a baby who’s parents adopted me and we toured the dead together for two years. Changed my life forever. I miss you guys.

[@sandman93449dm]

You know, I'm 75 years old..played in bands in California primarily for most of my life..the bands that sat well and pleased everybody where the ones where friendship was evident among the members..this friendship was transmitted thru us to the folks who would come to see us and there was always fun and pleasure for all..never more evident in watching these two play together..no pretense, no bullshit..just two friends playing guitar and having fun..great!

[@jacquelineoboyle2189]

Oooooooo so raw and fresh and cool! What a delight!

[@joeconti4392]

right on, Jacqueline

[@gattart]

I am Grateful for this!

[@RNash123]

Dave giving Jerry guitar lessons is the best ever ha ha!!!!!

[@Swagadelic_Wizard]

this is just wholesome. I am a fairly young lad about to be 25 and people around me don't understand my love for the Grateful Dead but this just reminds me how humble they are but at the same time legendary...haha when Jerry said "I'm kind of new here" lmao funny. they weren't trying to be famous. they were just themselves.

[@brendanbullock9468]

"If the head fits, wear it..."

[@brianscott4960]

I think he said "if the 'hit' fits, wear it".

[@WrittenFolklore]

Brian Scott Nah he definitely says head. They were talking about different "heads" and whether or not they liked their fans being known as dead heads. And Bobby absolutely cracked me up with that! God damn that's great. His mind was working in awesome ways that night.

[@christopherdaly1399]

The Dead Live On! This is probably the best live performance I have ever seen on KZbin or anywhere else for that matter.

[@chuckhatcher9028]

Awesome, really cool version of Monkey and the Engineer.

[@crazeedogs]

Jerry can bring a smile like nobody else...you certainly were a ripple in still water.

[@jpjouster]

Such a beautiful voice Jerry Garcia!!!!! Great band!!!!!

[@epipd5712]

Great interview. Epic. Two of the coolest musicians ever.

[@tommulhall3865]

+epiphany difference YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KowboySantos]

this is beautiful. brought tears to my eyes

[@1959timberwolf]

Jerry has a perma grin, i used to have one when i did a couple of hits of acid

[@phrtao]

Dave's now wearing a beard from the Grateful dead's wardrobe department

[@TooLameToDie]

And from the looks of it he got loaned out the deluxe model.

[@cbonshep]

And so is Bobby.

[@michaelkearns8499]

13:22 is a great moment. That's when Bob returns to the planet earth and remembers he's playing guitar next to Jerry Garcia

[@FIRSTNAMELASTNAME-zt4kf]

It's like seeing the messiah man. I was born long after his passing and even longer till I became a dead head and then a bit longer till I grew out my curls and stopped caring about what other people thought and I tell you what I'm a lot happier now then I was before sure there's some bad days in between but it makes the good ones all the sweeter and the dead have always been there marching beside me through alot of this crazy journey we call life nowadays. Long live the dead and rest in paradise Jerry and save a seat at the first show once I get there.

[@unacat09]

I remember watching this and as fresh as it is to me 36 years suddenly seems like a long time ago. Lots of Dead shows and man did we have fun.

[@larryrundle6370]

"more fun than a frog in a glass of milk"

[@codeblue2532]

It took Weir's whole fore~arm to deftly wipe that drip..........

[@ontarget7582]

Feel so blessed to have seen them with Jerry. Some of the shows weren't great musically but were still magical

[@suggahree8529]

Aww. Thank you so much for this.

[@EmMaEmMa687]

bob was so messed during this show hahahaha

[@glknott2001]

Something seemed to have kicked in at 13:14 or whereabouts, lol.

[@herbythechef7624]

High as fuck on cocaine. Wiping his nose. Widely alert.. you can see he wants to get up not sit down. Hes right high

[@postaltraining]

wouldn't say jerry was overly sober...

[@waynej2608]

@@postaltraining but he seems more 'grounded' than Weir, here. The thing is the tunes are great! I love the, 'if the head fits, wear it' line though. 😎

[@SoulDaddy33]

Seemed like Jerry was keeping a watchful eye on him at times. Worried mind.

[@sicof065]

This when music was fun. Thanks for a good time , Jerry. We miss you so.

[@tonifrancis2189]

I love when they play acoustic.

[@sloanchessman5783]

Bob was so totally roasted during this show, lol! 😆

[@xkoamane]

I never realized how nice Gerrys Boise is. So warm and rich for a tenor (lyric tenor ). He has such a relaxing voice.

[@sandyharris7687]

Had the fortune of working with Jerry's cousin ABBEY? In Las Vegas years ago. They are true people.

[@cesarbriones2419]

THANK YOU!!!!!!! This is priceless. Dead for life.

[@gratefulmedhead9816]

Best Letterman quote of all time! ".....So Bob Weir can blow his nose!" at 12:36 of this video, I almost pee'd myself!

[@tylermassage6220]

So clean cut, yet soooo spaced out

[@allenpage6761]

couple of gems from For the Faithful. loved the intro with Letterman.

[@keithkersten5586]

Love these guys together!

[@wizardglick1]

I don't know much about these guys but they are talented musicians. Some of the comments suggest Wier is under the influence but it sure didn't effect his ability to remember the lyrics or play that guitar.

[@WrittenFolklore]

They both were very high here. Then again, when weren't they? lol. Jerry in particular always seemed very articulate and intelligent even though he was wasted. And as for playing... oh yea, the drugs never interfered with their playing. After all, they were the house band for the acid tests back in their early days. They all played under the influence of acid for many of their early shows (and no doubt many of their later shows), but most especially in the 60s. This made them very "in sync." And if you can play well while half your face is melting onto your shoes and their is a demonic rat watching you from behind the amplifier, and one of the people in the front row looks just like you (can it be!), and all the while the stage is moving as if you're on a ship!... You can play well in just about any situation or frame of mind!

[@mbjasondify]

They were "professionals"....

[@jg6698]

@@WrittenFolklore just stop. You have no idea about any of what you wrote.

[@ibogaful]

this is sick !!!! I was only 8 years old when this was filmed I am 39 years old now and have seen jerry live 149 times , at this point in time I was just a child swimming in Bob Dylans swimming pool in Malibu (as my mother was his live in maid LOL ) true story !!

[@topshelf2855]

Wow. Jerry adored Dylan and vice versa (at least at a professional level). I remember reading a Dylan interview on how Garcia taught him the nuances of subtlety in guitar playing of his songs.

[@florvil1]

I'm not sure Bobby got the memo that they were performing in the studio that night and not at the stadium. Too funny. Great upload-Thx!

[@TorkG8]

Wow, glad I stumbled across this. Interview and 2 great performances :) Thank you!

[@paulgordon6949]

Such cool guys, man.

[@AintItGreat]

Is it just me or does it seem like Weir is tripping his balls off, Jerry could be too but he prolly handles that shit like a pro

[@bigthunder2860]

Bob is so serious and jerry is always laughing and good with it no other band in history like them see you on the otherside. the🐸

[@alexdelarge7971]

Shame Jerry had lost his good friend and legend John Belushi less than a month before this was filmed Belushi died march 5 1982 RIP

[@letmegoletmego]

Jerry Garcia is a powerful human. I wish there were more (oh yes there are. Hoorah)

[@joshuaduncan1477]

bob weir has the psych eye going on. he has to be on lucy or something

[@brianbritton1385]

Wow. This is amazing.

[@nathankarnes8439]

Damn, look at those office waiting room chairs Letterman had in '82!

[@mikereiss4216]

Is it just me or does Bob Weir kind of look a little bit like Jim Carey?

[@undesireablefashion]

Especially when he's rubber-facing.

[@TheSpencerlynds]

You mean Jim Carey looks like Bob Weir.

[@michaelwilson6483]

A little bit, yes

[@wholenessunleashed]

Technically that's not possible. It's more likely that Jim Carey looks like Bob Weir.

[@alohathelion]

More of a gary busey thing, IMO

[@socalcde]

I miss Jerry so much!

[@davidward2753]

This is a good example of the deads magic of combining country, blues, folk,

[@lukeab65]

"if the head fits; wear it"---true wisdom

[@janeseamore1370]

Incredible performance

[@nathanferreira46]

jerry is such a good speaker

[@926cookies]

It's is amazing that Bob can be that messed up and still be able to play and sing so well...

[@gsmarin1]

Holly DeRosa It was all about getting high while being able to "Maintain"

[@herbythechef7624]

Well he was high on coke. Which definitely wont affect their playing. If anything their coke habits made their playing super fast and exciting in the early 80s

[@christofour217]

They were not coke heads.

[@herbythechef7624]

Christo Four jerry was a coke addict by this time. Do a little research. They did tons of coke in the 80s...

[@christofour217]

You are right.

[@TjTj74]

I love them.just come along and tape the concert and have your own experience and memories😎👍.unlike today's copyright and plagiarism bull that exists.hat's off to you gents

[@henrythoreau5791]

Yeah Bobby's happy.....look at those pupils during the close in shots....big black trippin eyes.

[@rodarificusmaximus733]

I see these two, and I feel the love.

[@tourmalinehunter]

R.I.P Jerry . Love and miss you .