For fans of the Grateful Dead and the transformative power of live performance, tonight’s Dead Set Live is a celebration of rhythm, improvisation, and musical storytelling. Every track we spotlight here is a live version, capturing the energy, spontaneity, and improvisational magic that only a live setting can deliver. From classic Grateful Dead jams to the percussive landscapes of Apocalypse Now, tonight we explore music that transcends its original context to become something visceral, immediate, and unforgettable.
The Rhythm Devils Take on Apocalypse Now
Few collaborations in rock history bridge the worlds of cinema and live percussion quite like Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann’s work on Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 film, Apocalypse Now. Inspired by a Grateful Dead concert and particularly by the improvisational “Drums > Space” section, Coppola recruited the two legendary drummers to craft a unique percussive soundscape for his Vietnam War epic.
Hart and Kreutzmann, alongside fellow Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and percussion virtuoso Airto Moreira, formed the Rhythm Devils—a project dedicated to free-flowing, experimental rhythm. During ten intensive days in the Dead’s San Rafael, California studio, the ensemble watched rough cuts of the film and improvised music to match the moods, tension, and chaos of the jungle scenes. The sessions yielded hypnotic, atmospheric percussion that became both part of the film and a separate album: The Apocalypse Now Sessions, also released under the title The Rhythm Devils Play River Music.
One of the standout innovations from these sessions was Hart’s creation of “The Beam,” a massive aluminum structure strung with bass piano strings. The instrument generates low-frequency drones that are simultaneously eerie and transformative, a sonic embodiment of the jungle’s oppressive atmosphere. Today, The Beam remains a fixture in Hart’s live shows, both with and without the Dead, and continues to mesmerize audiences with its deep, resonant vibrations.
Apocalypse Now: A Musical Journey
While the percussive explorations of Hart and Kreutzmann form the backbone of Apocalypse Now, Coppola strategically layered additional music to heighten psychological tension and cinematic impact. Key tracks include:
- “The End” by The Doors – Opening the film as Captain Willard lies in a Saigon hotel room, the psychedelic tones merge with the visual of a spinning ceiling fan, which seamlessly morphs into the blades of helicopters. The result is a disorienting, almost hallucinatory entry into the Vietnam War experience.
- “Ride of the Valkyries” by Richard Wagner – In perhaps cinema’s most iconic helicopter scene, Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore blasts Wagner from mounted speakers during an airstrike. The classical grandeur starkly contrasts with the violence unfolding below, creating a hauntingly ironic spectacle.
- “Suzie Q” by Flash Cadillac – The USO show scene features this American rock-and-roll number, juxtaposing wartime tension with the jarring energy of popular music.
- Synthesizer Score by Francis and Carmine Coppola – Throughout the film, synthesizer-driven compositions enhance the psychological descent of the characters, providing an otherworldly backdrop to the jungle and chaos of combat.
Charlie Sheen, who spent time on set while his father Martin Sheen was filming, has shared insights into the music’s role in shaping the film’s surreal atmosphere. You can watch the new Martin Sheen documentary exploring these experiences on Sunset here.
Tonight’s Planet Drum Circle Radio Show
For listeners looking to experience rhythm live and unfiltered, tonight’s Planet Drum Circle on the radio promises an hour-long journey into percussion. Hosted by Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, the show is an exhilarating exploration of global rhythms, tribal beats, and experimental drumming. From tribal drums to The Beam’s deep resonances, the program underscores the universal power of rhythm—a thread that connects the Grateful Dead’s improvisational jams to the sonic textures of Apocalypse Now.
Listeners can expect:
- Live explorations of percussion instruments from around the world.
- Improvised rhythmic journeys that echo the spirit of “Drums > Space.”
- Insights into how percussion shapes both live music and cinematic soundscapes.
Why Live Music Matters
Whether it’s the improvisational genius of a Grateful Dead show, the hypnotic drum textures of the Rhythm Devils, or the tribal pulse on Planet Drum Circle, live music captures an energy impossible to replicate in a studio. Each beat is a moment in time, unrepeatable and electric, inviting listeners to immerse themselves fully in sound.
As we celebrate these live versions tonight, we’re reminded that rhythm isn’t just accompaniment—it is storytelling, atmosphere, and emotion. From the chaos of war to the joy of improvisation, drums and percussion bridge worlds, convey emotion, and transform the listener’s experience.
Tune In, Listen, Feel
Tonight, let your ears travel from the Grateful Dead’s live jams to the hypnotic percussion of Apocalypse Now, and experience the transformative energy of Planet Drum Circle Radio. It’s more than music—it’s a live, breathing testament to rhythm’s power.
