02/13/70 & 5/15/70 Fillmore East, New York, NY
Arriving some two hours before the Dead show at the Fillmore East the
evening of February 13, 1970 (this being the show where Zacherly, old NY DJ,
introduced the Dead as "the Grateful God-damned Dead"), some friends and
myself decided to grab a bite at Ratner's, a kosher dairy restaurant
formerly located just a few doors north of the Fillmore. Here, one could get
a variety of meatless dishes. As we were wolfing down our meals, my friend
Michael, says, "Look who is being seated three tables away." We all turned
to find Phil, Jerry, Mickey, and Bill there. Some of us exchanged
pleasantries with the members of the band either by nods of affirmation or
waves of the hand. It was so cool to see these guys there. Anyway, that
show turned out to be one of the best Grateful Dead concerts I ever saw.
Maybe it was the food!
On May 15, 1970, I attended the late show at the Fillmore East. I recall
that aside from the band performing the songs of that time period, Pigpen
did a solo acoustic set (some of which can be heard on tape). What was
astounding about that show was when I exited the Fillmore via the side doors
on W. 3rd street, IT WAS ALREADY LIGHT OUTSIDE. The Dead had played untill
dawn!! Two weeks later I would be living in Berkely, CA.
(
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