"on the evening of August 21, 1969, the Dead, the NRPS, and Sanpaku each played a set in front of a moat in what proved to be the last gig at the Aqua Theatre"
The Aqua Theater was/is a legendary venue in Seattle - it wasn't exactly a 'moat' in front of the staqe - the stage was actually built in the water near the edge of Greenlake (a large public swimming lake, still very popular) with concrete bleachers built on the shore facing the stage. The venue was partially demolished in the early '70s, but one bank of those bleachers still exists.
The venue hosted a few rock shows in the late '60s, with the Dead's performance well known and the most famous probably being Led Zeppelin opening for Three Dog Night in May '69. I have long sought a tape of this Zep show with no luck (it probably doesn't exist), but have spoken with people who were there, including some friends who didn't have tickets but floated in the lake on inner tubes behind the stage!
These photos show the venue & LZ onstage, to give you an idea of the setup. Maybe there are photos of the Dead show out there somewhere. . . ?
Thanks for posting, Hugh. I've read a number of pieces about the Aqua Theater, including a few about the Led Zeppelin show w/photos. No photos of the Dead have surfaced. I've looked, believe me!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>keepon doin that rag<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"on the evening of August 21, 1969, the Dead, the NRPS, and Sanpaku each played a set in front of a moat in what proved to be the last gig at the Aqua Theatre"
The Aqua Theater was/is a legendary venue in Seattle - it wasn't exactly a 'moat' in front of the staqe - the stage was actually built in the water near the edge of Greenlake (a large public swimming lake, still very popular) with concrete bleachers built on the shore facing the stage. The venue was partially demolished in the early '70s, but one bank of those bleachers still exists.
The venue hosted a few rock shows in the late '60s, with the Dead's performance well known and the most famous probably being Led Zeppelin opening for Three Dog Night in May '69. I have long sought a tape of this Zep show with no luck (it probably doesn't exist), but have spoken with people who were there, including some friends who didn't have tickets but floated in the lake on inner tubes behind the stage!
These photos show the venue & LZ onstage, to give you an idea of the setup. Maybe there are photos of the Dead show out there somewhere. . . ?
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qnd8fnynabadtd8mofnvi/ANtSR1IIzDjbA3FCzHl25wY?rlkey=f3k5vewsnz2jzfujg0ywfy2yb&st=fznde1ms&dl=0
Thanks for posting, Hugh. I've read a number of pieces about the Aqua Theater, including a few about the Led Zeppelin show w/photos. No photos of the Dead have surfaced. I've looked, believe me!
Cool looking joint, for sure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lake_Aqua_Theater#/media/File:Naval_Air_Cadet_Choir_at_Aqua_Theatre,_August_2,_1954_-_DPLA_-_6b3b09aa6a540c446924cbdf16712885.jpg