Here comes sunshine, and humidity. A day with the Grateful Dead in 1977

Deadheads

What a long strange trip

Chris Wild

1977

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Fans of the Grateful Dead have their favourite songs or favorite shows. Many have their favorite years, and for them, 1977 often stands out. The band had left behind their cosmic, psychedelic shows of the 60s, and were putting together more crafted sets that mixed songs from their growing repertoire of folk, country, blues and rock music.By the time they reached Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey, on Sept. 3, they had finished one of their most successful tours and played what many fans consider the best Dead show, ever, Barton Hall at Cornell University, on May 8, 1977.At Raceway Park, 100,000 fans showed up to soak up the heat and the Grateful Dead.

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A new Dead Era is upon us - Grateful Dead record company ad, 1977

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If you want to pick a year where everything was working well, that year stands out - Steve Parish, Grateful Dead roadcrew, 1977

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1977 was as close to a flawless Grateful Dead tour as I've ever heard - David Lemieux, Grateful Dead Archivist

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We had all this new material we were excited about playing - Donna Jean Godchaux, singer with the Grateful Dead

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We're having fun again. - Jerry Garcia, 1977

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Everyone was healthy and partying full blast, every day - Steve Parish, Grateful Dead roadcrew, 1977

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Jerry was in a creative zone, and his health was OK. Yes, there was a lot of pressure. But that didn't interfere with Grateful Dead music. Music was the only way any of us could deal with pressure. - Richard Loren, Grateful Dead manager, 1977

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The Raceway show put the Dead up there with anybody else who was performing: 'Yeah, the Allman Brothers are a big band, but they're not the Grateful Dead.' The industry stood up and said, 'Holy mackerel!' - RICHARD LOREN, GRATEFUL DEAD, 1977

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Promised Land They Love Each Other Me and My Uncle Mississippi Half-Step Looks Like Rain Peggy-O New Minglewood Blues Friend of the Devil Music Never Stopped Bertha Good Lovin' Loser Estimated Prophet Eyes of the World Samson and Delilah He's Gone Not Fade Away Truckin' Terrapin Station - Grateful Dead Setlist, Raceway Park, September 1977

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It was hot as holy hell. I was stuck with a friend down in front of the stage, and we couldn't get out for water. Every once in a while a bucket of water would be passed around, which may have saved people from dehydration or even death. Great show. - Mike Jarboe, Deadhead, Raceway, 1977

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When the music played, everything made sense. When the music stopped, things started getting weird - Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead percussionist, 1977