At Dead Set Live, every song played is the live version. No studio takes, no edits—just the raw, unfiltered magic of the Grateful Dead as it happened. Each performance takes listeners on a journey through the band’s evolving sound, improvisational spirit, and the collective heartbeat of the Deadhead community.
This Saturday night, we’re heading back to August 13, 1975, when the Grateful Dead performed an intimate and historic show at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. This concert isn’t just another date on the band’s timeline—it’s a milestone. A rare performance during a year when the Dead were mostly off the road, it doubled as a private release party for their Blues for Allah album. For the lucky few in attendance, it was nothing short of transcendent.
And tonight, you’ll hear it live on Don’s Pick Radio Show, where Don himself curates one of the most memorable and experimental Grateful Dead performances ever recorded.
🎵 Setlist Breakdown – 8/13/75 Great American Music Hall
Set One
- Help on the Way → Slipknot! → Franklin’s Tower
The show opens with the debut of this legendary trilogy, a seamless journey from intricate compositions into joyous release. Even in its infancy, this three-part suite feels fully formed—tight, radiant, and destined to become a cornerstone of Dead history. - The Music Never Stopped
One of its earliest live outings, glowing with the unpolished excitement of fresh material. Donna Jean’s vocals weave beautifully with Garcia’s fluid guitar lines. - It Must Have Been the Roses
Jerry Garcia in storyteller mode—gentle, aching, and timeless. - Eyes of the World
A 1975 highlight. Jazz-influenced interplay drives the song into new territory, with Phil Lesh pushing boundaries while Garcia floats effortlessly above it all. - Drums → Stronger Than Dirt (King Solomon’s Marbles)
A progressive, instrumental deep dive. The band ventures beyond traditional song structure, experimenting with rhythm, melody, and free-flowing improvisation.
Set Two
- Around and Around / Big River / Sugaree
Rock and roll roots hold strong, but even here, the Dead twist Chuck Berry and Johnny Cash standards into their own psychedelic tapestry. - Crazy Fingers
Tonight’s Don’s Pick highlight—a shimmering masterpiece. The delicate interplay captures the spiritual core of 1975 Dead, as Garcia and Keith Godchaux float in a meditative dialogue. - Drums → The Other One
Cosmic exploration. The Dead stretch time, dissolving into spacey, chaotic beauty before snapping back with fierce energy. - Sage and Spirit
A rare instrumental gem from Bob Weir, delicate and fleeting. It’s the kind of quiet beauty that reminds you why every Dead show holds unique surprises. - Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad / U.S. Blues
Closing the main set with fire, the band reconnects with their Americana roots, sending the crowd home with anthemic joy.
Encore
- Blues for Allah
A mystical rarity as an encore, marking the show as something truly extraordinary. This performance encapsulates the essence of 1975 Dead—progressive, daring, and spiritually charged.
🌟 Why This Show Matters
The Great American Music Hall 8/13/75 show stands out as one of the most important Grateful Dead concerts ever played. It wasn’t a stadium or a massive festival—it was intimate, personal, and experimental. A rare chance to hear the Dead stretch out with brand-new material, mixing fragile beauty with bold improvisation.
For Deadheads, this performance is a crown jewel—a reminder that the Dead were never afraid to take risks and evolve. It’s also one of the best windows into their post-hiatus creativity, balancing fresh compositions with the raw spirit of their early days.
🎧 Tonight on Don’s Pick Radio Show
Every Saturday night, Don’s Pick brings Deadheads closer to the heart of the music. With Don’s deep knowledge and passion for the band, each show is a carefully curated journey into the Grateful Dead’s sprawling live archive.
Tonight’s feature: August 13, 1975 – Great American Music Hall.
The spotlight track? Crazy Fingers → a transcendent performance that captures the spiritual essence of this era.
Tune in at 9PM EST and let the music of August 13, 1975, unfold in real time. Whether you’re reliving the magic or experiencing it for the first time, this is a show that embodies everything Dead Set Live stands for: raw energy, fearless improvisation, and the timeless power of live music.
👉 Dead Set Live: Every Song Played Is the Live Version.
