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Nice thread subject pivot, JohnA. Got me to thinking about openers I had personal experience with, and the first that came to mind, while not an all timer, blew the doors off out of the gate. The 90/03/14 CRS/Stranger tour opener at the Cap Centre left our group gasping for air and mouths agape. Little did we know what we were in for at that three show run. Praise DSO.

The problem with anything trumping 5-9-77 is that we have one of the greatest versions of Help Slip Frank and it actually occurs right out the gate - insane to comprehend. It's like the Louisville '74 encore. You have a just shy of greatest ever level Morning Dew. In the freaking encore slot! How do you top that?!? A super cool opener is 6-8-80 Boulder - Uncle John's -> Playin' -> Uncle John's in celebration of the 15th anniversary. And you gotta love Halloween '85 in Columbia, SC.... Space -> Werewolves after Billy supposedly announced backstage that he wouldn't come out and play if Garcia didn't open with Werewolves. Jerry was game, although he hadn't done it since '78 and didn't remember the words. I really groove on that story and hope that it's true!

3.28.85 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale Truckin> Smokestacks lightening High Time

Well....not so fast. I live in KY, right outside Lexington. Last year the schools delayed announcing when graduation would be, so I purchased tickets to Dark Star Jubilation. A few weeks prior to the event, the schools decided graduation would be on the same weekend. I had the same thought: who in their right mind would schedule a graduation on a three day weekend? Well, they did. and my wonderful son was graduating. So I did what any loving father would do. I did both! Woke up around 3 am on the first night, drove like a bat out of hell, showered & changed in truck stop, and arrived early, clean, and suited up in Lexington where the ceremony was. Afterwards, celebrated with lunch and a celebration at home, and much joy was to be had. Then I immediately jumped back in my car and made the 4 hour trek in record time and pulled back into Legend Valley, back to my tent, grabbed a couple of beers, and walked into the bowl as DSO took the stage again. It was a whirlwind, but I did successfully manage to attend a much needed festival after covid and also celebrate my Son's awesome achievement. Win win. But yes, even in KY, graduations are planned for Memorial Day Weekend.

Gimme three steps.

Unannounced. Think this was a special treat for hometown of lexington because theyre booked in louisville through April. I missed the bat signal. Of course its the best show that will happen for years since it was raining and cold and very few lucky ducks got soaked in psychedelia.

I have 3 floor tickets isle seats for Saturday January 1st Albany palace theater awesome tix who wants them please let me know just want cost of tixs

3/31/87, Jack Straw/ Franklin’s.

Let's change the discussion from best theoretical opener to best actual opener and ask what is the greatest opener ever.... My vote is Buffalo 5-9-77 Help>Slip>Franklin's. With honorable mention to the 1st Terrapin San Bernardino '77.

How did they play the Steely Dan tunes? Representative of the Dan or the Dead? Or C, none of the above?

Hold up. AC missed a dead show within a 2 hour drive???? I assume your car didn’t start or you had multiple flat tires b/c of some punk kids.

I heard a bunch of peeps who missed a bunch of jubilees for these high schoolers in weird states who graduate this weekend will be here this year. I may be in a bottom 10 educated state but we are smart enough to not graduate people on a 3 day weekend. I’d say we have better education based on the fact we don’t ruin holiday weekends with something as dumb as a ceremony for graduating high school. Like what else would you do at 17 besides showing up for school. We didn’t have middle school graduation but now they have that nonsense too.

Damn, I’m gonna have to fly to Lexington.

VIP bought...... but if you don’t get this band, I’m burning my email tickets!!!!