Ramble On Ron

Diamonds, Music and other Facets of Life

My First Dead Show – RFK Stadium 7/12/1990

Posted on | July 20, 2009 | 6 Comments

Just about nineteen years ago I went to an event that changed my life.  It was my first Grateful Dead show at RFK Stadium.  So I was just graduating high school and I went up to College Park Towers where my sister was living (and sort of going to school) before the show.  Now Ellyn was a big time Deadhead at this point, probably on tour for most of that summer.  So I get to her apartment and start partying, having a great time and getting excited for the show.  We got in the car and it must have taken an hour to get to the stadium that was only a few miles away and then, BAM – I forgot my tickets.  In my haze I left the tickets back at the place, and there was no turning back.  Of course I freaked out and my big sis said, “Ron, don’t worry we’ll get them at the show.”  I was like, “What are you talking about?”  Of couse I had no clue.  We got to the show, Ellyn’s arm went in the air and there were our tickets.  In fact, I still have the original untorn ticket stub.

It was a great show.  “Good Times” opener, “Bertha” and this “Box of Rain” which was an appropriate song since it was POURING down rain.  Everyone broke through the gate and crashed the floor. (which is why Phil did the “take a step back” game in this video)  We didn’t care.  I was hanging with my bandmate Brett and my sister on the floor in the mud having a great time.

Here’s the setlist for you hardcore Deadheads:

Let The Good Times Roll, Feel Like A Stranger, Bertha, A Little Light, Queen Jane Approximately, Stagger Lee, Cassidy, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped Box Of Rain, Victim Or The Crime-> Foolish Heart-> Dark Star-> Drums-> Jam-> All Along The Watchtower-> Dear Mr. Fantasy-> Hey Jude Reprise-> Touch Of Gray, E: The Weight

I actually have some of this show on DVD as a filler from RFK 6/14/91 (another great one) – get a copy of “View From The Vault II” – click here to buy and click here to just listen.

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