At 5 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 31, 1978, still wide awake after the Pauley Pavilion show the night before, my friends and I headed to LAX for the first flight to SFO. Immediately upon landing, we made our way to the Fillmore District to wait outside the Winterland Ballroom. We had a prime spot in line amongst the first group of hardcore Deadheads. Taking shifts, we took turns saving our space, making food runs and exploring the area.
When the doors opened, we sprinted to the foot of the stage. Four of us were able to spread out a blanket and miraculously hold the space all the way through Animal House as a dozen of our LA friends showed up with supplies.
Finally, at dawn, Bill Graham treated us all to a breakfast buffet. I hadn’t slept, or had a real meal, since the morning of December 30
Though our blanket was lost in the crowd, our gang stayed together over the next eight hours of dancing, laughing, hugging and welcoming in the New Year. Finally, at dawn, Bill Graham treated us all to a breakfast buffet. I hadn’t slept, or had a real meal, since the morning of December 30, so bacon, eggs, orange juice and apples were a wonderful way to usher in the next 17 years of amazing shows.
~ Michael “Spock” Fasman