The Deadpod

The Dead have a long history of great Spring performances, and 1980 was no exception. This week we go to Nassau for the May 14, 1980 show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. This was the first night of a three‑show run, with the last two nights later compiled on the 2002 "Go To Nassau" release, leaving this opening show as the odd one out from the official catalog.

This show comes shortly after the "Go To Heaven" release, so they open with "Alabama Getaway." Jerry gives us a fine reading of "Candyman," and the arrangements on Weir's "country" tunes—"Mexicali Blues" and "El Paso"—are rockin'. "Tennessee Jed" follows, with Brent providing a lovely counterpoint to Garcia's leads. "Let It Grow" then leads into a still‑new "Althea." Another "Go To Heaven" tune follows, Brent's "Easy to Love You," which leads into a rocking, set‑closing "Music Never Stopped."

Let's settle in at Nassau Coliseum, May 14, 1980, on this week's Deadpod.
Grateful Dead
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Uniondale, NY 5/14/1980 - Wednesday

One    

Alabama Getaway [4:10] >
The Promised Land [4:08] ;
Candyman [7:32] ;
Mexicali Blues [4:33] >
El Paso [4:22] ;
Tennessee Jed [9:25] ;
Let It Grow [9:00] >
Althea [8:15] ;
Easy To Love You [3:49] >
The Music Never Stopped [7:38] 
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050826.mp3  
As always my sincere thanks for your kind support.

This week's Deadpod takes us back to Pasadena, California, and the Rose Palace on May 10, 1969. This is a fierce, high-energy slice of early Dead, complete with a few rough edges from the road. "Hard To Handle" and "Morning Dew" both run into technical trouble, with the band's frustration coming through loud and clear, but the real centerpiece here is the long psychedelic run from "Dark Star" into "Saint Stephen," "The Eleven," and a nearly half-hour "Turn On Your Love Light."

It's primal Dead, unpredictable and powerful, with all the danger and electricity of 1969 still crackling through the tape.
Grateful Dead
Rose Palace
Pasadena, CA 5/10/1969 - Saturday
One 
Hard To Handle [5:33];[1:05] 
Me And My Uncle [3:31];[0:57] 
Morning Dew [8:06] 
Yellow Dog Story [1:51];[0:23] 
Doin' That Rag [6:32];[0:31] 
Dark Star [20:59] >
Saint Stephen [6:08] >
The Eleven [15:56] >
Turn On Your Love Light [29:31]
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
 https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod050126.mp3  
This was originally recorded by Bear on an Ampex C90 cassette on a Concord F-400 Cassette Deck

Saturday night in Chi-town brings us a second set that opens with the soon‑to‑be‑released "Touch of Grey," delivered in a tight, confident reading. A funky "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" follows, with Jerry and Brent locking into some lively interplay that keeps the energy high. "Terrapin Station" then unfolds and the band shows their trademark virtuosity, taking us on a vibrant, narrative‑driven ride. From there they drop into a deep, heavy Drums and Space segment—one of the real highlights of the set—before slamming into a powerful "Truckin'."

That sets up the ballad slot, and Jerry turns in an outstanding "Wharf Rat," rich with emotion and dynamic nuance. Bobby then leads the band into "Throwing Stones," complete with some fiery Garcia solos, and "Not Fade Away" closes the set in classic call‑and‑response fashion. The crowd, clearly feeling that extra X‑factor in this post‑drums stretch, keeps the "NFA" chant going until the band returns for a heartfelt and moving "Black Muddy River" encore
 
Grateful Dead
UIC Pavilion - University of Illinois
Chicago, IL
4/11/1987 - Saturday

Two     

Touch Of Grey [6:00] >
Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [7:39] >
Terrapin Station [11:29] >
Drums [7:47] >
Space [6:48#] >
Truckin' [7:14] >
Wharf Rat [8:40] >
Throwing Stones [8:48] >
Not Fade Away [6:18]

Encore     
Not Fade Away [ 0:52] >
Black Muddy River [6:16]  
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod042426.mp3   
"hold onto the memories, they will hold onto you"

This week's Deadpod takes us to the first Midwestern stop since Garcia's coma, and it seems clear that Jerry is determined to show the fans that he is back and kicking! Following the 'Hell In A Bucket' opener, Jerry delivers a resounding 'Sugaree' with plenty of sparks and flourishes. Bobby's 'New Minglewood Blues is nicely paced - especially brimming with Brent's B3 contributions. The 'Loser' that follows however could well be the highlight of the set - the crowd is really into it and Jerry delivers a masterful reading. Brent's 'Tons of Steel' follows - Brent gives this track a real emotional reading. Bobby next takes us to 'Desolation Row' - somehow remembering all those verses. Jerry ramps it up again with a strong 'Big Railroad Blues' and the ensemble delivers a resounding 'Music Never Stopped' to close this first set. 
  
Grateful Dead
UIC Pavilion - University of Illinois
Chicago, IL
4/11/1987 - Saturday

One    

Hell In A Bucket [5:55] >
Sugaree [9:27] 
New Minglewood Blues (1) [6:54] 
Loser [7:02] 
Tons Of Steel [5:08] 
Desolation Row [10:25] 
Big Railroad Blues [4:29] 
The Music Never Stopped [7:18]
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod041726.mp3 
 
Hope the sun is shining in your backdoor! thanks for your kind support!

They open with a bouncy "Man Smart (Woman Smarter)" before Jerry brings out one of his more poignant ballads, "To Lay Me Down." The introspective mood continues as Bobby rolls into "Lost Sailor," but things pick up speed as he moves into "Saint of Circumstance." Drums and Space follows, slowly building momentum until Phil drops a huge bass bomb leading into "The Other One" — the jamming, psychedelic rendition here is the highlight of the set. They then drift into the haunting "Stella Blue" before "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" carries us toward the close, punctuated by a high-energy "Satisfaction" led by Bobby and Brent Mydland. The "Brokedown Palace" encore is always a favorite sendoff.
 
Grateful Dead
Community War Memorial Auditorium
Rochester, NY 4/9/1982 - Friday

Two    

Man Smart (Woman Smarter) [6:54] ;
To Lay Me Down [9:00] ;
Lost Sailor [6:21] >
Saint Of Circumstance [7:19] >
Drums [2:34#] >
Space [7:28] >
The Other One [7:08] >
Stella Blue [7:32] >
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad [6:11] >
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction [6:37]

Encore    
Brokedown Palace [5:14]
You can listen to this week's Deadpod here: 
 https://deadshow.blogspot.com/2026/04/dead-showpodcast-for-41026.html
thanks for the love and support!