[Originally published 1/14/23]: The Grateful Dead were one of the leaders in San Francisco’s music scene throughout the 1960s. So, it came as no surprise that the young band was tapped to be part of the “Gathering Of The Tribes/Human Be-In” weekend event at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park back on January 14th, 1967.
Interestingly enough, members of the band, as well as San Francisco-area residents and Pranksters alike, had just completed an exciting year of growth in 1966 that saw the actual “Summer of Love” while also the criminalization of LSD in late 1966. That didn’t stop attendees from enjoying what was a seminal weekend of music and togetherness, as the three-day event helped establish the Counterculture generation’s new presence in American society.
Day two of the weekend event included appearances from notable guest speakers, including Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg. The day’s events also featured performances from Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe & The Fish, and The Charlatans, just to name a few. Hippies and early Deadheads in attendance were treated to a three-song performance by the Dead, including “Morning Dew”, “Viola Lee Blues”, and “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”. All three covers would appear on the band’s self-titled debut album when it arrived later that year on March 17th.
Grateful Dead — Golden Gate Park — San Francisco — 1/14/1967
[Video: voodoonola]
A young Jerry Garcia belted out the solemn lyrics of “Morning Dew” during a nine-minute performance of the song, which would also go on to become one of their trademark ballad covers throughout their 30-year career. An exploratory version of “Viola Lee Blues” followed, with Garcia spending the majority of the performance riffing away on his guitar, along with a collaborative jam among all the members. The band turned back to the blues, featuring Ron “Pigpen” McKernan blowing away on his harmonica throughout their closing number of “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”. The entire performance was somehow taped even in those early days of the Dead. Fans can tune into the audio below to revisit the historic day’s performance.
Grateful Dead – Golden Gate Park – San Francisco, CA – 1/14/67
[Video: John Philbin]
Today’s anniversary takes on even more meaning with the recent loss of Bob Weir, who died on Saturday at the age of 78. In a full-circle moment, Bobby’s last live performances took place with Dead & Company last summer at the very same Golden Gate Park for a Grateful Dead 60th anniversary celebration. Revisit Bobby’s final show here.
Setlist: Grateful Dead | Golden Gate Park | San Francisco, CA | 1/14/1967
Set: Morning Dew (Bonnie Dobson), Viola Lee Blues (Noah Lewis), Good Morning Little School Girl (Sonny Boy Williamson)
