Grateful Dead | Backstage at the last two shows

Property of Steve Parish

Grateful Dead

Eight backstage passes, 1995

Eight pictorial backstage passes, laid down together (7.3 x 10.2’’), each with date and location of performance. Matted, framed, and glazed; not examined out of frame.

Backstage at the final two shows

The performances at Soldier Field on 8 and 9 July would unfortunately, and unknowingly at the time, be the Dead’s final shows. The band paused their tour on 9 July, originally planning to begin touring again in August. But shortly after the Chicago shows, Garcia checked himself into the Betty Ford Clinic in Palm Springs. He checked out shortly after, and while he checked into the Serenity Knolls clinic on August 9, he passed away that very night. 

The items here represent some of those final moments for the Dead, including backstage passes for:

24 June, Washington, DC

8 July, Chicago, IL

9 July, Chicago, IL

Also included are passes for shows that did not take place:

14 September, Boston, MA

15 September, Boston, MA

18 September, Boston, MA

19 September, Boston, MA

26 September, New York, NY

Fare you well, fare you well

I love you more than words can tell

Listen to the river sing sweet songs

To rock my soul

REFERENCE

“Brokedown Palace,” Grateful Dead