tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post1910919827665754620..comments2024-03-25T06:33:12.809-07:00Comments on Lost Live Dead: June 21, 1970 Pauley Ballroom, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Grateful Dead/New Riders/othersCorry342http://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-20237903485889312222022-08-15T17:29:15.024-07:002022-08-15T17:29:15.024-07:00I was there also. I paid $2, after hearing a radi...I was there also. I paid $2, after hearing a radio announcement that day. It seemed like it started in afternoon and was over pretty early. This, after a long night tripping on some very good acid the before. It was small, and Wavy was the MC. I vaguely remember some audience friction regarding requests.Climber100https://www.blogger.com/profile/15113682449106243336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-32744199293530236432020-09-17T16:26:53.548-07:002020-09-17T16:26:53.548-07:00Man, that was a different world.
Man, that was a different world.<br />Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-31784930444310487612020-09-17T08:48:11.496-07:002020-09-17T08:48:11.496-07:00It was the week after the release of Workingman’s ...It was the week after the release of Workingman’s but I was not a Deadhead at that time. In fact I was unaware they were even playing when I followed some others down under the building into a large fright elevator and up to the ballroom. The doors opened to the band playing what sounded like country music to me with Garcia sitting at pedal steel and Pig singing. I took it in for half hour or so then went down the large winding stairs to a main lounge area where my inebriated friend had passed out on a sofa. “Where have you been”, he slurred. I don’t know if I knew it was the Dead or not. “Cmon let’s go home”, I replied. And we did. <br />Kernakkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15563215974984167317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-50852844389361387892020-09-17T08:36:34.779-07:002020-09-17T08:36:34.779-07:00I was there that Sunday night in June. I was there that Sunday night in June. Kernakkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15563215974984167317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-7368984330581040482020-06-23T19:45:57.524-07:002020-06-23T19:45:57.524-07:00p.s. to my comment: I want to make clear that in a...p.s. to my comment: I want to make clear that in addition to GD and NRPS and Allen Ginsberg, at least two other bands ('Indian' bands) played that night.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10666194416017254976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-44507637623480116842020-06-21T19:35:22.297-07:002020-06-21T19:35:22.297-07:00A recent arrival to the Bay Area, I was eagerly an...A recent arrival to the Bay Area, I was eagerly anticipating seeing the Grateful Dead for the first time and made tracks to Pauley Ballroom the night of June 21. Also appearing were Wavy Gravy, NRPS and other bands, plus Allen Ginsberg & his harmonium, <br /><br />The Dead played a righteous energetic set, though on the short side (for them) due to the nature of the event. Anthem of the Sun had been my introduction to the band, and had left a big impression on me, and was disappointed that they played none of that album for this appearance, although what they did play was great. <br /><br />The tape on Archive.net is just under an hour long so it probably includes most of the set, according to my recollection and the estimates of others. Sadly it cuts off suddenly in the middle of what was probably the best (and last) jam of the night.<br /><br />I wasn't there at the very beginning of the gig, but from what I saw it's unlikely that Sandy Bull opened (although that may have been the slot that he was scheduled for). He showed up at the very end after the Dead had played and I watched as he started setting up his stuff, apparently intending to close the show, but he took so long hooking up all his gizmos that finally the janitors swept him out the door. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10666194416017254976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-3018845644394718812019-07-09T00:47:27.971-07:002019-07-09T00:47:27.971-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Arthur Teknikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11463371868412583763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-16281304443043152562018-09-04T16:18:51.531-07:002018-09-04T16:18:51.531-07:00Wavy Gravy described the evening in his 1974 book ...Wavy Gravy described the evening in his 1974 book "The Hog Farm and Friends" (courtesy runonguinness) - <br />"The Hog Farm became honorary members of the Pitt River tribe... The best thing the Hog could do was to split for San Francisco to put on a party for the raising of Indian consciousness and the Yankee dollar. The dollars were to be spent in legal defense and life support of the Pitt River tribe. An easy liason was made with the Native American Studies group at UC, and together we captured the main campus ballroom... The Grateful Dead answered the call [as well as the other bands]. A new band, named Indian Puddin' and Pipe, supplied all sound equipment rent free. Free bread was brought... <br />"Summer Solstice evening it seemed all San Francisco was there, movin' perfectly, flowin' like water. The rent-a-riot police kept yearnin' for reinforcements, but couldn't come up with a reason. If they found one, they'd call up more cops, which we had to pay for out of profits intended for Pitt River. So [we] kept the heat cool. <br />"So many people even made the Dead nervous. The stage was quite low and the only thing between them and the masses was a small rope of flowers. What was really in action [was] small moments on the mike spent raisin' the consciousness of flow and not push... <br />"The party was perfect, music Divine, the lights show fantastic. The door prize was a door that we decorated. Between bands, Indian grievances were outlined by Pitt River councilmen, and lessons were learned on a series of levels... Most bread from the show was fed straight to Pitt River." (pp.124-125)<br /><br />Love the description of the nervous Dead on stage.Light Into Asheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06943335142002007213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-59040324550372242202018-01-13T18:58:39.226-08:002018-01-13T18:58:39.226-08:00I was there, I am sure of it, and remember Pig tal...I was there, I am sure of it, and remember Pig talking with the crowd between songs. I think I paid $2, and heard an announcement on the radio, after waking up mid day after tripping all night up in the Berkeley hills. Great times. During that time there were big letters in the hills up from Derby Street for the California School for the deaf. The top of the C had been blacked out, so the proud letters "LSD" displayed over Berkeley for all to see!Climber100https://www.blogger.com/profile/15113682449106243336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-19522448352666708522017-06-04T07:33:07.072-07:002017-06-04T07:33:07.072-07:00I went to this gig too. I was only 17 and had just...I went to this gig too. I was only 17 and had just graduated from High School in Kansas, and had moved out to Berkeley immediately afterwards. I had already seen the Dead live previously, both in Kansas City and at Woodstock, but this night well and truly sealed my membership as a Deadhead! <br />I remember seeing little b&w posters around Berkeley a day or two before the gig advertising it as a benefit for the Native America folks, and bands were listed simply as 'G Dead' and 'P Riders'. I can certainly confirm that acid was being handed out at the door when I entered, and as that was my first ever 'experience', I have strong (if somewhat fractured and very colorful) memories of the show. There was only one short-ish Dead set and lots of speeches from Indian activists. <br />I woke up 2 days later, trying to piece it all back together again. As I only lived a couple of blocks from the UC Ballroom, I remember running into people on the street for a few days afterwards (who I had absolutely no memory of ever meeting!) but who assured me that I had had a very wonderful time that night.<br />47 years later, some memory fades, but thankfully some remain crystal clear!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740972655524054066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-19785969141852633892017-06-04T07:16:50.139-07:002017-06-04T07:16:50.139-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740972655524054066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-30872419047643627082017-06-04T07:04:19.459-07:002017-06-04T07:04:19.459-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740972655524054066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-54789745646715234632016-08-23T17:52:23.936-07:002016-08-23T17:52:23.936-07:00Barry, thanks for the eyewitness account. Do you r...Barry, thanks for the eyewitness account. Do you recall the other acts that played, besides the Dead?Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-69793071761366465512016-08-23T16:30:48.023-07:002016-08-23T16:30:48.023-07:00I too was there, a great experience. Off to the s...I too was there, a great experience. Off to the side was an inflatable in which there was aisle dancing and whatever. Bucky Fuller was all the rage then.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09860745668616695102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-15177086600527610382014-03-27T21:33:30.568-07:002014-03-27T21:33:30.568-07:00In the Creem GD interview from November 1970, Phil...In the Creem GD interview from November 1970, Phil Lesh mentioned this as one of their "righteous" benefits: <br />"The things that we consider righteous are like the Pit River Indians who are having their land taken away from them."<br /><br />Sherry Smith's book "Hippies, Indians, and the Fight for Red Power" has a long account of the Pit River Indians' struggle for their land. Wavy Gravy & the Hog Farm had joined the Indians in response to a call for "back-up from friendly freaks or anyone else who wanted to help." After a number of Indians were arrested: <br />"The Hog Farm returned to San Francisco and, in partnership with the Native American studies program at the University of California, organized a Summer Solstice fundraiser for the Pit River defendants. The Grateful Dead, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Osceola, and a new band called Indian Puddin' and Pipe provided free entertainment. On "Summer Solstice evening," Wavy Gravy later remembered, "it seemed all San Francisco was there, movin' perfectly, flowin' like water." A light-show and a door prize (an actual decorated door) kept the crowd engaged and, in between musical acts, Pit River council members explained their grievances. Most of the proceeds went to the Pit River arrestees' defence." (p.168)<br />So that provides a little background to Garcia's comment that the show "was a pretty good example of how it was three or four years ago."<br /><br />In the end, though, the land was not returned to the Indians.Light Into Asheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06943335142002007213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-64647752093377666192012-03-06T22:25:16.117-08:002012-03-06T22:25:16.117-08:00There's a brief mention of this show in the Ch...There's a brief mention of this show in the Chronicle, in one of John Wasserman's first columns in the "On the Town" chair:<br /><br />"There will be a benefit for the Pit River Indians at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night at Pauley Ballroom, University of California. Among those scheduled are the Grateful Dead-New Riders of the Purple Sage, Wavy Gravy (formerly Hugh Romney) and the Hog Farmers, Stewart Brand (the Whole Earth Catalog), Sandy Bull, Indian Puddin' and Pipe, Osceola, The East Bay Sharks, and Phananganang. Wavy, who was been suffering from back troubles, announced that he will tap-dance."<br /><br />Wasserman, John L. 1970. On the Town: The Who Is--Just Staggering. <i>San Francisco Chronicle</i>, June 17, 1970, p. 47.Fate Musichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05648291938690043423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-92202682052625175892010-11-10T18:31:10.117-08:002010-11-10T18:31:10.117-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02279366060745694910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-74913624606458454892010-11-10T18:17:12.474-08:002010-11-10T18:17:12.474-08:00nice post!nice post!Walter Tullyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738291447494918638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-5286914390077785472010-10-09T17:51:56.941-07:002010-10-09T17:51:56.941-07:00I went to this show and the circulating tape is mo...I went to this show and the circulating tape is most likely the complete show. The band definitely only played one set. I don't remember anything about the opening acts but remember the Dead's set clearly. Fun gig.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-48450335502272477272010-06-19T23:20:53.671-07:002010-06-19T23:20:53.671-07:00I think the Dead & Wavy Gravy were very close ...I think the Dead & Wavy Gravy were very close acquaintances by this point. <br />The Hog Farm may have traveled with the Dead on part of the May '70 tour - I've seen references from audience members that the Hog Farm was part of the festivities at the 5/2 and 5/3/70 shows. 5/2: "the Hog Farm came off the day-glow buses to do their light show (on overhead projectors with colored water)." (Another witness also remembers, "the Hog Farm denizens including Ken Kesey were in attendance.") 5/3: "the Hog Farm was there providing food for everyone." <br /><br />Of course these might be mistaken memories, but this is a point needing further research! <br /><br />And the Hog Farm also went with the Medicine Ball Caravan in August '70 - presumably in June that was already in the planning stages, with the Dead still thinking of going? <br /><br />So when Wavy Gravy convinced the Dead to play this tiny Berkeley benefit in-between the 6/19 Memphis and 6/24 Port Chester shows, I'm pretty sure they had a close connection with him!<br /><br />Anyway, this adds an extra hint to Garcia's comment that the 6/21/70 show was a lot like a 1966 show - presumably due to the Prankster crowd? (And the small room...)Light Into Asheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06943335142002007213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-77500087733999340752010-06-19T13:59:09.825-07:002010-06-19T13:59:09.825-07:00That's very possible. He mentions doing light...That's very possible. He mentions doing light shows in 1966 in Something Good for a Change.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09893761957668132798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-6546437301665654332010-06-19T12:51:32.656-07:002010-06-19T12:51:32.656-07:00I have a foggy idea that Wavy was working with a L...I have a foggy idea that Wavy was working with a Light Show in the Santa Barbara area in the late 1960s, possibly called something like Dry Paint. I'm not sure if I'm conflating someone else's story, however.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-58103114055541437402010-06-19T12:15:05.240-07:002010-06-19T12:15:05.240-07:00It wouldn't surprise me if this is the first W...It wouldn't surprise me if this is the first Wavy benefit the Dead played. Wavy's first book is best on his activities in this era, and its been a while since I read it. However, IIRC, he didn't really spend all that much time in the Bay Area in the mid to late 60's - the location of the vast majority of Dead benefits. Also I don't think he got that much into the concert biz until after the 69-70 festival circuit, where the Hog Farm often worked in various capacities. Fortunately, he's kept at it. I'll be seeing him next week at the Kate Wolf Festival.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09893761957668132798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-46951604520086909292010-06-19T09:47:22.087-07:002010-06-19T09:47:22.087-07:00Yes, Watts Acid Test, I forgot that one. So Wavy a...Yes, Watts Acid Test, I forgot that one. So Wavy and the Dead were certainly well acquainted. I wonder if this Berkeley show was the first time the band played a Benefit that Wavy helped organize? I can't think of an earlier one.Corry342https://www.blogger.com/profile/08049035074121231425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5493557313410969282.post-67119457860459494592010-06-19T09:44:56.896-07:002010-06-19T09:44:56.896-07:00On the "when did Wavy meet the Dead" mat...On the "when did Wavy meet the Dead" matter, the Watts Acid Test is a decent bet. Tape of the Dead playing that date exists and it includes the "Who Cares" rap identified both by Tom Wolfe and Wavy in their books as coming from that event. How much they stayed in touch after that is an open question. They were, of course, both at Woodstock. Another possible intersection is that Jerry could have crossed paths with Hugh Romney in SF in the late beat era.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09893761957668132798noreply@blogger.com