Well I wish I could say that my first show was in fact a Dead show but unfortunately it wasn't. I became a Dead Head in the summer of '95 and I'm sure you all know what happened then so I never made it to a show that summer. That didn't stop me from listening to tapes, watching videos, and buying cds. I missed out on the first Further tour in '96, I beleive, but finally got to see the Boys in '98. I know many older DH's thought that since Jerry's passing the "magic"was just not there anymore... well let me tell you all it certainly was that nite! It was June 26th(?), the Nassua Colisseum show, and the whole parking lot experience that I had only read about in books and seen on TV blew me away. I felt like I had met my lost brothers and sisters...everyone was there to enjoy the music and have a great time and it was a wonderful feeling. I was acompanied by my girlfriend who isn't really a GD fan and she was amazed as well which made me feel even better. We arrived early and had plenty of time to chat with vendors and just absorb all the positive energy. I bought some stickers from a vendor I had seen on TV once before and had a great conversation with him. The show itself was UNBELIEVEABLE  Hot Tuna was so-so, Rusted Root simply rocked the house, and then...oh yes...for the first time I saw Bobby, Mickey, Bruce, Phil on stage in person. That alone made my night. The Colisseum was jumping and the marijuana was blazing and the twirlers were twirling and the music was so sweet. They opened with Mystery Train which was a little distorted and I was hoping the sound would clear up and it did. I got my first big jolt when there was a crowd involved Tennessee Jed that I've only heard on DP's before and I got up and sang along,with a huge smile on my face. Mickey actually sang a tune too which got the crowd going, especially when he sang the verse "it sounded like Garcia, but I couldn't see his face, Just the beard and glasses and the smile on his face." I'm getting goose bumps as I type. An amazing and psychedelic Dark Star was played which took me back to the 60's. I have to say Phil was absolutely phenominal that nite especially with this tune. Let's see...West LA Fadeaway was great and so was Minglewood Blues...the whole show was great!!! I felt like I was dreaming the whole time, it might have been the second hand marijuana buzz I was getting but just the whole experience felt too good to be true. This was my dream and it had finally become a reality.But the biggest part of the night for me was when ...well I need to give a little background first before I tell you all...When I first met my girlfriend I told her my favorite Dead tune was Not Fade Away and it still is. I played it to her and to my surprise she really liked it. She would ask me to sing it to her and play it on the stereo and a little while before the concert I told her that it would be so special if The Other Ones played NFA at the concert. Well Jerry must of heard me because sure enough TOO started playing Throwing Stones. Bobby did his usual stepping out in front of the stage blazing his guitar which I was so taken back by(I felt like I was in the Ticket to New Years video) and when it ended the fans started clapping. Could it be?! Wow this would be awesome if they played it...Yes!!!! Me and my girlfriend stood up with the thousands of other Heads and sung along with the band. "I wanna tell you how it's gonna be!!" Man it was one of the greatest experiences of my life! At the end of the song we all sang for about 5 minutes until they came out to do an encore and man was it a great encore! Phil sung a beautiful Box of Rain and then the unexpected happened... yep...Bobby sang Touch of Grey! What a way to end the show. I remember telling my uncle, who I have to thank for turning me on to the Dead, about the encore and he was like "What?!? Bobby sang Touch of Grey?!?" A cool thing about Touch of Grey was that Weir fumbled a verse and of course we all cheered. Bob smacked his head and smiled, and the guy next to me with his long beard and dirty jeans and smelly flannel shirt shouted "Jerry lives man!! Jerry lives!!!!" Indeed he did on that nite and I am forever grateful I had the chance to experience the magic I've heard so much about but never got the chance to witness and also to share it all with you folks.

Peace,

Kevin Dunbar
NY

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