I saw the Dead 34 times at Winterland. The closing of Winterland was so hyped, the demand so great that a lottery was installed whereby being in the front of the line did not guarantee you could buy a ticket. You had to wait several hours after being handed a ticket to hear the winning numbers, who could then get in line and buy a ticket. So, any old bozo had the same chances as someone who really, really wanted to go.
I met Larry, who would become a friend for the rest of my life, in line on Polk Street waiting to get tickets for the lottery. Although we had just met for the first time, we agreed to team up and drove around to several different ticket outlets in S.F. to get lottery tickets to improve our odds. Even then I didn’t win the lottery. I had to scare up a ticket in other Deadhead ways.
The billboard outside on the side of Winterland was really cool, with Bill Graham’s iconic statement about the Dead. By this time, I had been to Winterland so many times, it seemed like my rock ’n ’roll home. I knew its space, its hallways, the room.
When the Dead grew really quiet, and Jerry played so beautiful, it was a certain kind of heaven.
The Blues Brothers were kind of cool, but a little loose. The New Riders were good, but I kept getting anxious to see the Dead. I was pretty close to the stage, maybe 20 people back. I had my Canon F-1 camera with a power winder and an 80-200 zoom lens and shot photos of the band. It was pretty hot and sweaty and there were a lot of people really high. I probably was, too. When the Dead grew really quiet, and Jerry played so beautiful, it was a certain kind of heaven.
Bill Graham riding a giant joint at midnight was quite a funny stunt! It even had a burning light at the front. He had a ton of roses and joints that he threw to the crowd. Whee! Huge balloon-drop at midnight, balloons were all over the stage, I love the NYE balloon drop, it’s so crazy fun! I loved the mirror ball spinning lights during Sunshine Daydream, it was magical.
This was a marathon night, the second set didn’t get going until after 2 a.m., and I thought they were playing way too slow; come on guys, pick it up! It was cool when John Cipollina sat in for a few tunes. I was a big fan of Cipollina. I remember being surprised when Bobby came out for the We Bid You Goodnight encore wearing glasses.
It was a long show, maybe 5 hours. They had a bag breakfast for those who made it to the end. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was losing a 5,000-attendance general admission hall. I live in San Francisco, and when I drive by Post and Steiner, I have fond memories.
~ Scott Wiseman