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From the blissful confidence to the intriguing mysticism, this segment is a definitive moment in Grateful Dead history. It encompasses everything that the Grateful Dead was during 1971. Not only did it set the mood for the night, it set the mood for the year.
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The biggest highlight of the night is the “Beautiful Jam” that took place during Dark Star > Wharf Rat > Dark Star. The crowd was treated to debuts of “Bertha,” “Greatest Story Ever Told,” “Loser,” “Playing in The Band,” and “Wharf Rat.” These songs remain all-time fan favorites to this day. On this night, the Grateful Dead decided to debut five original songs. He passed away two years later, making these shows that much more special to revisit. He was a pioneer of improvisational rock n’ roll, encompassing emotions that could be felt by every Deadhead at every show. Let’s start this list off by saying that the soulful presence of Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and his passion for the blues was instrumental in making these shows unforgettable.
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Please join us as we celebrate the anniversary of these monumental shows! 1. The Dead pushed the improvisational boundaries of music and psychedelia in a way that changed live music forever. These historic shows capture the magic of the Grateful Dead in the early 1970s – purity, passion, musicianship, and fearlessness. Starting February 18, 1971, and ending February 24, 1971, the Grateful Dead played 6 legendary shows at The Cap. It was vital that the band had the right venues, with the right energy, to do this The Capitol Theatre was one of those venues. The stage had been set and the band began to experiment, taking the music even further than the formative years of the 60s. 1971 laid the groundwork for years like 77 and 78. The early 1970s were arguably the most iconic time period for the Grateful Dead.