Best Grateful Dead Show Ever

“All the years combined, they melt into a dream…” This is true, but one memory must stand out as your “best show ever!” moment. Was it your first? Your last? Or one the hundreds in between? We want to hear about it!  Visit Shakedown News’ Facebook page and share your favorite Grateful Dead show memory.  Here’s ours!

Parking Lot at Buckeye Lake July 29, 1994

My favorite show, hands down, was seeing the Grateful Dead and Traffic at Buckeye Lake, Hebron, OH on July 29, 1994. It rained so hard during Traffic’s set that I missed most of it in exchange for shelter from the storm. As Steve Winwood closed out the show with “Dear Mr. Fantasy” the rains began to cease and the storm moved out toward the East. Before the Dead took the stage, Jerry and Bobby walked out on stage to check the weather and you could see them writing the set list in their minds. They delivered a set full of “weather” appropriate tunes including a “Rain” opener and a second set “Samba in the Rain” as Mother Nature provided the most amazing lightning storm off in the distance.

Set List:

Rain
Stranger
Bertha
Wang Dang Doodle
Loser
El Paso
Althea,
Eternity
Deal

Foolish Heart
I Want To Tell You
Looks Like Rain,
Samba In The Rain
Uncle John
Saint of Circumstance
DRUMSPACE
Miracle
SOTM
Lovelight

The Mighty Quinn

6 comments

  1. Almost got struck by lightning in DC ’94, second night! Captain America passes, backstage and all. What a night!

  2. I like this site and saw it on Ask search. I guess your thoughts on Best Grateful Dead Show Ever – Shakedown News are right on. Thanks for blogging about this and looking forward to reading more on your site.

  3. I saw the Dead and Traffic in Vegas that year (Sunday)…110 degrees..My dad was with me..When they broke into Watchtower he turned to me and said..”I saw Hendrix play that in Tempe 1968 or 1969″…

  4. I was soo at this Shakedown!! It was one of my faves during the Summer Tour of 94! I didn’t get to catch the show unfortunately but it was a great stop along the way!

  5. By far the best show n circus ever. Bought some squares from jesus himself. It rained so hard for so long. Then it didnt. Found a long dry cigarette during the 2nd set. Jumped on echo mud.

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