Don’s Pick: Grateful Dead – August 25, 1972 – Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, CA
DJ Don Edwards
For Deadheads and live music lovers, the Grateful Dead’s August 25, 1972 performance at the Berkeley Community Theatre stands out as one of the gems of the band’s golden era. Capturing the Dead in peak 1972 form, this show blends intimate storytelling, extended jams, and the kind of exploratory improvisation that defined an entire generation of live music.
Setlist Breakdown
Set One Highlights
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Cold Rain & Snow opens the night with its familiar rolling groove.
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Black-Throated Wind and He’s Gone showcase the Dead’s ability to move from heartfelt ballads to deep jams.
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Rare treat: “The Frozen Logger” makes an appearance, one of those quirky, crowd-pleasing moments that only the Dead could pull off.
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Staples like El Paso, Jack Straw, and Friend of the Devil shine with the band’s 1972 tightness.
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The set closes on fire with Bird Song and a powerful Playing in the Band jam.
Set Two Journey
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The second set kicks off with Truckin’, rolling seamlessly into an extended, mind-bending The Other One.
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Though the tapes are missing Stella Blue, One More Saturday Night, and the Sugar Magnolia encore, the energy and depth of the existing performance more than make up for it.
Why This Show Matters
This performance is a time capsule of the Dead’s Europe ’72 energy carried into the Bay Area. The interplay between Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and the rhythm section is effortless, while Keith Godchaux’s piano adds rich, jazzy textures to the jams.
The show was so legendary that it earned an official release as Dave’s Picks Volume 24. Collectors prize this recording for its pristine sound and for capturing the Grateful Dead in one of their most creative years.
Essential Listening for Deadheads
Whether you’re revisiting the show or discovering it for the first time, Berkeley 8/25/72 is essential Dead listening. From the tender storytelling of Loser and Black Peter to the sprawling jam of The Other One, it’s a concert that showcases every side of the Grateful Dead’s magic.
👉 Don’s Pick of the Day: Playing in the Band → A nearly 20-minute masterpiece that captures the full force of early-70s improvisation.
