Tonight’s “Don’s Pick” Radio Show Preview!
There are Grateful Dead shows—and then there are the moments etched permanently into the mythology of live music. Halloween 1980 at Radio City Music Hall sits high on that mountain. A venue as grand as New York’s iconic musical palace became the playground for a band that lived and breathed spontaneity.
And here on The Grateful Dead Live, every song is a live performance—raw, unfiltered, and unmistakably filled with the magic only the Dead could conjure.
This wasn’t just a concert—it was a transformation. Halloween became a portal, the crowd became a tribe, and the Dead became sonic storytellers summoning the wild unknown.
🎃 Set One: Trick, Treat, and Total Takeoff
The first set wasted zero time. The band set the tone with “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” (live)—Garcia’s voice full of mischievous spark and every lyric wrapped in warmth and jubilation. Phil and the drummers carved a groovy foundation like only they could.
From there, a classic cowboy tale rolled in—
“Me and My Uncle” (live)—Weir slinging his rhythmic swagger while Brent Mydland folded in that rich organ that would become a cornerstone of this era.
Then came the pairing Deadheads dream about:
“China Cat Sunflower” → “I Know You Rider” (live)
Bright. Cosmic. Limitless.
Guitar lines weaving like neon smoke through the air. The Radio City crowd shouted “I wish I was a headlight…” with the devotion of a congregation.
The walls shimmered. The floor shook. Halloween was officially ignited.
🦇 Set Two: Theatre, Shockwaves, and Sonic Mischief
The second set? Pure Halloween spirit unleashed.
Kicking off with “Samson and Delilah” (live)—a gospel-powered powerhouse that hit like a lightning bolt.
The Dead were locked in, smiling, fearless.
Then “The Music Never Stopped” (live) made the aisles dance. Brent soared into keyboard ecstasy, and you knew—the night was far from done.
With “Estimated Prophet” (live), the Dead dove headfirst into deep psychedelic waters.
Space-bending rhythms.
Hypnotic energy.
The jam grew stranger—in the best way possible.
Finally, a run that would define this show forever:
“Not Fade Away” → “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” → “Johnny B. Goode” (all live)
Radio City turned into a roaring celebration.
Clapping, dancing, shouting—everyone was part of the band.
When the final chords hit, Halloween had officially been conquered by the Dead.
🕸️ Why This Halloween Lives Forever
These shows endure because they showcase everything the Grateful Dead Live stands for:
🔥 Daring improvisation
🎭 Playful unpredictability
🎸 Musicianship that always pushes boundaries
💀 The ultimate celebration of the live moment
Halloween 1980 wasn’t just performed.
It lived.
And thanks to live recordings—it still does.
📻 Tonight: Don’s Pick Radio Show – Saturday Night’s Ultimate Live Listening Experience
Each week, Don’s Pick gives listeners a specially curated journey—every song a live cut, every moment a reminder of why concerts change lives.
Hosted by Don, a master of digging up gems and stitching them into perfect sonic storytelling, tonight’s broadcast will channel that 1980 Halloween spirit—rare tracks, legendary jams, improvisational fireworks, and some surprises tailored for the devoted and the curious alike.
If you love:
✅ The thrill of improvisation
✅ The Dead’s boundless creativity
✅ Live recordings that light up the soul
…then Don’s Pick is your Saturday night destination.
So grab your headphones, dim the lights, and let the music take the wheel.
🎶 The Grateful Dead Live reminds us:
The best music isn’t just heard…
It’s experienced.
Happy Halloween season, Deadheads.
The spirit lives on—loud, wild, and live.
