On September 3rd, 1977, the Grateful Dead played one of their most legendary concerts at Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. The show drew an astonishing crowd of approximately 150,000 people, creating the largest audience the state had ever seen for a concert. This event wasn't just a show; it was a monumental gathering that would become a defining moment in the history of the Grateful Dead and rock music.

The Scene and The Crowd

Another year rolls by, and as the calendar flips to August 31st, we at Grateful Web pause to celebrate a man whose music has traversed the decades with the grace of a river winding its way through a lush, timeless landscape. Van Morrison, the Belfast Cowboy, has been at the forefront of the musical journey, from his early days with Them to his expansive solo career, which has made its mark on generations of listeners.

On this day, August 26th, we gather our thoughts and pay tribute to Branford Marsalis, a master of sonic alchemy, whose notes whisper like wind through the reeds of the saxophone. His playing is a flight of shadows and light, twisting through the mind like the architecture of dreams. Branford's style moves with fluid grace, a river of jazz and soul, interwoven with the ghostly echoes of those who came before.

Ah, Donna Jean Godchaux—her voice a soft ribbon threading through the air, dancing alongside the sweet chaos of the Grateful Dead’s sonic journey. Born on this day, August 22nd, she’s more than just the woman who wailed with the Dead; she’s living proof of the unexpected twists life can take when music's in the driver's seat. But let’s wind the clock back a bit before she was harmonizing in the Dead’s kaleidoscopic storm.

On August 13, 1975, The Grateful Dead played a show at the ridiculously small and distinctively decorous Great American Music Hall (GAMH) in San Francisco. This was one of only four concerts the band played that year, all of them in San Francisco. The setlist was mostly comprised of songs from the album Blues for Allah, which had not yet been released. Many Deadheads revere the GAMH performance as an all-time favorite.

After an incredible, sold-out experience on the water last month, the Dead Set On The Bay cruise is back by popular demand! On Sunday, October 20th, fans of the Grateful Dead will once again embark on an unforgettable journey around the Bay Area aboard the luxurious Fume Blanc, setting sail from Alameda for an epic evening of live music, stunning views, and classic vibes.

The ‘Days Between’ mark the nine days that separate Jerry Garcia’s birthday, August 1, and his death date, August 9. Doug Hagman, frontman for Terrapin Flyer, felt compelled earlier this year to do something to commemorate this special time. "I was in Italy, and I just had to play to celebrate," Hagman told me. "So I called up Martyrs and asked, 'What dates do you have open?'" And so, this year's celebration began to take shape.

Grateful Dead fans and classic rock enthusiasts will have one final chance to see legendary pianist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tom Constanten perform live as he embarks on his highly anticipated farewell tour this fall. Constanten, whose pioneering keyboard work was a cornerstone of the Grateful Dead’s sound during their most transformative years, will join forces with the supergroup Live Dead & Brothers for an unforgettable series of performances in September and October.