Rejoice Deadheads! To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead the “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead ” concert that will take place at Chicago’s Soldier Field over three nights on July 3, 4, and 5. The four original members – Micky Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir – have reunited for this farewell and will be joined by Trey Anastasio, Jeff Chimenti, and Bruce Hornsby.
“I have a feeling this will come out just right,” said Mickey Hart. “Can’t wait to find out…HERE WE GO!”
Bill Kreutzmann added, “The Grateful Dead lived an incredible musical story and now we get to write a whole new chapter. By celebrating our 50th, we get to cheer our past, but this isn’t just about history. The Grateful Dead always played improvisational music that was born in the moment and we plan on doing the same this round.”
“It is with respect and gratitude that we reconvene the Dead one last time to celebrate – not merely the band’s legacy, but also the community that we’ve been playing to, and with, for fifty years,” commented Phil Lesh. “Wave that flag, wave it wide and high…”
“Lookin’ forward to this one, oh boy, you bet,” commented Bob Weir. “Let’s see just how much fun we can have this 4th of July.”
“Jerry Garcia was a great American master and the Grateful Dead are not just a genuine piece of musical history, but also an important part of American history,” said Trey Anastasio. “This is a band, born right at the beginning of electric rock, that took the American tradition and moved it forward. They really embodied the American concept of freedom, rolling around the country with a ginormous gang of people and the mindset that ‘you can come if you want, you can leave if you want. We don’t know what’s going to happen. All we know is we’re not looking back.’ What could be more American?”
“The great thing about these shows happening in Chicago, not only is it the amazing Americana of Chicago – the central location for all Dead Heads to come gather – but it’s also the last place the Grateful Dead played together in 1995,” said Trixie Garcia. “Being able to get everyone back together – the fans and the band members – for this special weekend, is a really big deal.”
“This is such an important moment for the band, their fans, and for everybody that loves live music,” said producer Peter Shapiro. “This is the band that caused so much to happen, that led to the creation of so many bands that have been influenced by what they achieved, both musically and culturally. The Grateful Dead truly are the great American Rock & Roll band so to have their final shows take place July 4th weekend in Chicago creates a lot of potential for magic to be made.”
This is all great news indeed! Find out how to get tickets to this one-of-a-kind event and watch the video below of their final concert to get yourself ready for the return of the Grateful Dead!
