The Grateful Dead Live: Revisiting December 9, 1989 at the Great Western Forum — A Night Where Every Note Still Echoes

There are Grateful Dead shows you listen to, and then there are Grateful Dead shows you feel. The band’s December 9, 1989 performance at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, stands firmly in the second category—one of those rare nights where every song breathes in its purest form, stretching, evolving, and reshaping itself in real time. It’s the essence of The Grateful Dead Live, a world where the studio versions are mere sketches and the stage is where the masterpieces are fully realized.

This late-’89 run found the Dead in a particularly inspired groove. The lineup—Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and Brent Mydland—was locked in, adventurous, and remarkably fluid. What unfolded that night was a spirited, explorative soundtrack that showcased why fans continue to hold these live performances in almost mythic regard.

Set One: A Warm Start, a Deep Stretch, and a Saturday-Night Spark

The show opened with “Touch of Grey,” a crowd-pleaser that energized the Forum right from the first beat. Performed live, the song carries more grit, more joy, and more of that signature Dead warmth than the studio ever captured.

From there, the band dove straight into a fiery “New Minglewood Blues,” before shifting gears into a beautifully carried “Row Jimmy.” The band’s patience during this song was palpable—each lyrical phrase floated over Jerry’s guitar work like a gentle wave.

Weir then steered the group into a classic “Mexicali Blues” → “Cumberland Blues” pairing, turning the arena into a full-scale hoedown without ever losing the band’s psychedelic elasticity. And then came one of the night’s true gems:

“Bird Song.”

Live “Bird Song” performances are their own world—airy, meditative, and improvisationally rich—and this December ’89 version soared. Fans in attendance still cite it as one of the standout journeys of the first set, a performance that seemed to suspend the entire room in a quiet, glowing drift.

The set closed on a burst of energy with “One More Saturday Night,” an ideal choice for the evening and a high-octane sendoff before intermission.

Set Two: Deep Exploration, Tight Transitions, and a Finale Born to Shine

If the first set set the table, the second set was the feast. The Dead launched into “Foolish Heart,” carried by Garcia’s expressive guitar voice and Mydland’s rich textures. But the magic really began with the sequence that followed:

“Playing in the Band” → “Crazy Fingers” → “Uncle John’s Band” → “Playing in the Band”

This kind of circular flow is where the Grateful Dead’s live identity truly comes alive. “Playing in the Band” expanded like a cosmic bloom before melting into a delicate, perfectly phrased “Crazy Fingers.” The transition into “Uncle John’s Band” was seamless, full of warmth and three-part harmonies that felt like a communal embrace. And just when the crowd thought the journey had settled, the band curved right back into “Playing in the Band,” completing the loop with a flourish.

From there, the night ventured into the ritual of “Drums” and “Space,” one of the band’s most defining and unpredictable live explorations—percussive, atmospheric, and unbound by structure.

Then came one of the most celebrated moments of the night:

“Dear Mr. Fantasy” → “Hey Jude Finale.”

Brent Mydland shined here, pouring raw soul into every bar of “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” before lifting the entire Forum with a triumphant “Hey Jude” vocal finale. It was a moment of pure collective release, a combination that fans still reminisce about decades later.

The set closed with a powerful, blues-heavy “Turn On Your Love Light,” a full-tilt finale that carried all the swagger and spirit of the band at their best.

As an encore, the group offered a heartfelt “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” a gentle and emotional capstone that sent the audience home riding the last soft echoes of Garcia’s guitar.

Tonight on Don’s Pick Radio Show: Reliving This Legendary Night in Full

Every Saturday night, fans tune in for one of the most anticipated radio traditions in the region: Don’s Pick, a curated musical deep-dive hosted by Don, whose passion, knowledge, and ear for detail bring each episode to life in a way few shows do. Don doesn’t just play music—he creates an experience, weaving historical context, rare recordings, and carefully curated live tracks into a seamless journey.

Tonight’s Don’s Pick is a special one.

Don is featuring The Grateful Dead’s December 9, 1989 performance at the Great Western Forum, a show that embodies everything The Grateful Dead Live stands for—every song performed in its true live version, untouched, unfiltered, and vibrant with improvisation.

Listeners can expect:

• Long-form live cuts presented exactly as they were played

• Contextual notes on the band’s late-’89 touring energy

• Insights into the improvisational structure of the second set

• Commentary that highlights why certain moments—like the “Bird Song,” the “Playing in the Band” sequence, and the “Hey Jude Finale”—remain fan favorites

Don’s Pick has always been a celebration of music in its purest and most expressive form, and tonight’s showcase of this 1989 Grateful Dead gem is tailor-made for fans who want to relive the magic or discover it anew.

Why This Show Still Matters

The December 9, 1989 Grateful Dead performance endures for one reason: the band was fearless. They stretched songs into new shapes, brought emotional depth to quiet moments, and delivered explosive energy when the night called for it. It’s the kind of show that reminds fans why the Dead’s live catalog holds a special place in American music history.

And thanks to tonight’s edition of Don’s Pick, that magic returns—loud, alive, and ready to fill the room once again.