The Grateful Dead Live: November 30, 1979 – Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA

Every Song Played Is the Live Version

The Grateful Dead’s 1979 fall tour captured the band at a unique crossroads — blending the tight, polished sound of their late ’70s era with the expansive improvisation and cosmic exploration that defined their live performances. On November 30, 1979, at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Dead delivered a night that is emblematic of everything The Grateful Dead Live stands for: energetic, inspired, and completely unpredictable. Every song performed is a live version — unedited, unfiltered, and full of the spontaneous magic that only the Dead could create.

Recorded in front of an enthusiastic Pittsburgh crowd, this performance showcases the band in peak form, navigating between propulsive rockers, delicate ballads, and epic jam sequences with an effortless sense of cohesion and flow.

Set I: Opening Sparks and Fluid Storytelling

The first set bursts to life with “Alabama Getaway”, the perfect opener for a night of kinetic energy. Jerry Garcia’s guitar shines, weaving between tight riffs and playful improvisation, while Bob Weir and Phil Lesh hold the rhythm section steady, propelling the band forward with undeniable momentum.

From there, the band dives into “Greatest Story Ever Told”, a storytelling vehicle wrapped in a high-voltage groove. This is followed by “Peggy-O”, a hauntingly beautiful folk narrative showcasing Garcia’s vocals and the band’s ability to reinterpret traditional material with contemporary flair.

“Cassidy” follows, a smooth and melodic highlight of the set, before moving into “Friend of the Devil”, a fan favorite that rides on harmonized vocals and Garcia’s intricate fingerpicking. The mid-set maintains momentum with “Easy to Love You”, leading seamlessly into “El Paso”, a brief but tender nod to Marty Robbins’ classic, sung with warmth and immediacy.

The set continues with “Tennessee Jed”, a narrative-driven ballad balanced with improvisational flair, and a rollicking “Dancin’ in the Street”, which ignites the audience and sets the stage for a concluding “Deal” — a high-energy, infectious number that perfectly wraps up the first set.

Set II: Seamless Improvisation and Cosmic Exploration

The second set is where the night truly soars. Beginning with “Scarlet Begonias”, the Dead immediately showcase their improvisational dexterity. This song flows into “Fire on the Mountain”, a classic pairing that has become synonymous with peak Dead jamming — long, melodic passages intersecting with percussive bursts and dynamic interplay between Garcia, Weir, and Mydland.

“Passenger” provides a brief, melodic respite before the band launches into the centerpiece of the set: “Terrapin Station”, an expansive suite that demonstrates the band’s compositional and improvisational mastery. Within this sequence, the seamless transition into “Playing in the Band” further exemplifies the Dead’s ability to create a continuous, living musical journey.

The show then moves into “Drums” → “Space”, a section where Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann take center stage, exploring rhythm and texture, before Garcia, Weir, and the rest of the band guide the audience back to melodic territory with “Lost Sailor” → “Saint of Circumstance.” The second set concludes with heartfelt performances of “Wharf Rat” and the high-energy “Good Lovin’,” leaving the crowd both exhilarated and emotionally satisfied.

Encore: Don’t Ease Me In

After nearly three hours of continuous music, the band returns for a brief but lively encore: “Don’t Ease Me In.” This traditional closing number embodies the joyful, unpretentious spirit of the Dead’s live shows — a communal celebration of music and shared experience.

The Band – November 30, 1979 Lineup

• Jerry Garcia – Guitar, Vocals

• Bob Weir – Guitar, Vocals

• Phil Lesh – Bass, Vocals

• Keith Godchaux – Keyboards

• Donna Jean Godchaux – Vocals

• Mickey Hart – Drums

• Bill Kreutzmann – Drums

The 1979 Dead: Tight Yet Expansive

By late 1979, the Grateful Dead had refined a sound that combined rock, blues, folk, and psychedelic experimentation. This Pittsburgh show is a prime example — structured yet expansive, tight yet playful, and emotionally resonant throughout. The seamless set transitions, intricate interplay, and inspired improvisations showcase a band fully in command of their craft yet constantly willing to explore new sonic territory.

Don’s Pick Radio Show – Tonight’s Feature

Every Saturday night, listeners tune in to Don’s Pick, the highly anticipated radio show celebrating live music in all its forms. Hosted by the knowledgeable and passionate Don, each episode offers a carefully curated selection of songs, rare live versions, and deep dives into music’s eclectic history.

Tonight, Don’s Pick features the Grateful Dead Live performance from November 30, 1979, at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh. Listeners will experience the full second set, commentary on the band’s improvisational choices, and insights into the significance of this night within the broader tapestry of the Dead’s live legacy.

Turn up the radio, let the music flow, and experience what makes The Grateful Dead Live truly unforgettable: every song played as it happened, every moment alive, and every note a testament to the magic of live performance.

The Grateful Dead Live – November 30, 1979 – Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
Every Song Played Is the Live Version. Every Moment Is Real.