Fourth of July 1989

It was the summer of 1989 and I was working in Myrtle Beach cleaning a motel's pool twice a day in exchange for a small apartment in the rear, that I shared with the maintenance man. I had met this chick from Canada and we ran together while she was on vacation there. When she left, she invited me up to Toronto and a few days later, I was there.

After a week hanging with her and checking out Toronto, We went to see The Who on July 3rd. A very cool show right by the shores Lake Ontario. The next morning I woke up and told her I was leaving. I was leaving for only one reason.

I made my way into downtown Toronto and caught a bus for Buffalo. After a brief hassle at the border, I made it to the station in buffalo and it was packed with Dead Heads. I bought a ticket for that night's show for $20 and a ride in the back of a pick up to Orchard Park and Rich Stadium for $5.

10,000 Maniacs opened up the show and at the end of their set, I started working my way toward the stage. By the time the Dead took the stage, I was hanging on it in the front row. They opened with Bertha, the video above. I had snuck in a disposable camera and got some excellent close ups of the whole band. Of my 20+ shows, this was by far the best.

At the end of the first set, they played Looks Like Rain and almost on que, it began to drizzle. I started peaking during the intermission and the 2nd set was just as awesome. Closed with a long US Blues that was common for the Fourth of July.

I hung out in the lot for a few hours later and caught a ride back to NC from a couple that was headed to Florida.

Good Times!