When I first got into the Grateful Dead back in 1994, a friend of mine gave me three things to get me started on my journey: American Beauty, Skeletons From the Closet (Best of…), and a cassette of their live performance from Barton Hall on May 8th, 1977. Considered by many Deadheads to be the band at their peak, this show is one of the things that legends are made of.
The balls out rocking “New Minglewood Blues” opener, the roof raising 16 and a half minute “Dancing in the Street”, and probably the most epic and loved version of “Morning Dew” that clocked in and over 14 minutes.
Dead and Company (featuring core members Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, and Billy, Kreutzmann along with Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and John Mayer) announced this year that after eight years they would cease touring after seven years of existence. The longest running Grateful Dead project, Dead and Company sold out amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums all of North American. As a long time Deadhead, this has been without a doubt the greatest, most fun Dead project of all of them as they captured the essence just every era of the band to the delight of all of us.
Dead and Company’s final 2023 tour isn’t just going to be epic run but it’s a tour that comes with a really huge surprise. On May 8th, 2023. The concert – brought to campus by Alumni Affairs and Development – will be a fundraiser for Cornell’s 2030 Project, to develop and accelerate tangible solutions to climate change, and MusiCares, a nonprofit established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to support the health and welfare of music industry professionals.
“Cornell 1977 holds a special place in Grateful Dead lore. That magical night lives forever and will always link Cornell and the Grateful Dead,” said drummer Mickey Hart. “On that fateful night in 1977, my wife Caryl was a student at Cornell but missed that performance. Many twists and turns later, we wind up once again at Cornell to celebrate that 1977 performance with a benefit concert at Barton Hall. If anyone finds some of my old brain cells that I lost back in ’77 in Barton Hall, please advise.”
Barton Hall, with around 4,800 seats, is far smaller than the 40,000-seat stadiums and amphitheaters the band will play on its final tour, and demand for the show is expected to far outstrip supply. Discounted tickets for students and tickets for alumni and staff will be released via lottery. More information about tickets can be found at www.cornell23.com.
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