Tune In, Turn On
Surprisingly, one of the world’s most popular rock bands, the Grateful Dead, never played in Atlantic City. However, one of its founding members, Bob Weir – rhythm guitarist/vocalist for the Dead, who went on to form several groups, including Bobby and the Midnites, and more recently, Dead & Company – was a regular performer in Atlantic City in the past, albeit in bands that did not include Jerry Garcia.
In June of 1982, Weir brought his main “side project,” Bobby and the Midnites, to Atlantic City, where they performed on the Boardwalk at Garden Pier in a show promoted by jazz musician, Michael Pedicin Jr.
“What a concert it was!” Pedicin told Tune In Turn On recently, when I asked him about the show. “A storm forced us to cancel the performance. The ‘Dead Heads’ (Grateful Dead followers) spent the night on the Boardwalk waiting until the next night and we did the concert, and it sold out.”
Also memorable to anyone in attendance was Weir’s unplanned slip on stage, due to the wet weather conditions (He was OK).
Weir’s Midnites were different from the Grateful Dead, playing a jazz/rock fusion mix. They included two of the best jazz musicians of their time: the great Billy Cobham on drums, and Alphonso Johnson (formerly of Weather Report) on bass.
Bobby and the Midnites set list from Garden Pier, 1982, included: “Young Blood,” “Big Iron,” “The Little Red Rooster,” “Easy to Slip,” “Bahama Mama,” “Rock in the ’80s,” “Book of Rules,” “Festival,” “Drums,” “Me Without You,” “Salt Lake City,” “I Found Love,” “Minglewood Blues,” “This Time Forever,” “Shade of Grey” and “Heaven Help the Fool.”
Weir also performed several times in Atlantic City as part of the band Furthur, another Grateful Dead members side project, formed by Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and Weir. They boasted an eclectic band lineup including John Kadlecik, formerly of stellar Grateful Dead tribute group, Dark Star Orchestra.
Other Furthur members included Jeff Chimenti (from Ratdog) on keyboards, Jay Lane on drums and Joe Russo of the Benevento/Russo Duo also on drums.
Named after the famous touring bus used by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in the 1960s, Furthur was an improvisational jam band that performed music primarily from the extensive Grateful Dead songbook, as well as their own original music and that of several other well-known artists.
Atlantic City shows that Furthur played include Etess Arena (now called Hard Rock Live) in 2010, Boardwalk Hall in 2011 and 2013.
Furthur set lists from Boardwalk Hall, 2013, include Set 1: “Jack Straw,” “Crazy Fingers,” “Bird Song,” “Cumberland Blues,” “Doin’ That Rag,” “Cosmic Charlie” and “In the Midnight Hour”
Set 2: “Space,” “Mountains of the Moon,” “St. Stephen,” “Dark Star,” “Let It Grow,” “Days Between,” “Help on the Way,” “Slipknot!” and “Franklin’s Tower”
Encore: “Touch of Grey”
Today in South Jersey, the spirit and memory of both Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead remain as strong as ever. Dark Star Orchestra, renowned for playing complete Dead shows meticulously and in their entirety, are a big draw in A.C., playing every year at Hard Rock Live.
There’s also numerous popular Grateful Dead tributes in the New Jersey/Philadelphia area including Foolish Heart, Splintered Sunlight, Be5D, Cosmic Jerry Band, American Beauty Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Crickets & Cicadas, Dead Reckoning, Big Foot Country and many others.
It’s safe to say that the musical magic created in our area by Bob Weir, who passed away Jan. 10 at 78, as well as the musical influence and love for the Grateful Dead, will live on here in South Jersey forever.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
