53 years ago this week, the Dead made their first trip across the pond to play at the Hollywood Festival. The two-day outdoor event was packed with a variety of local and national talent, which included the likes of Traffic, Ginger Baker’s Airforce, Mungo Jerry, The Flaming Groovies, Tony Joe White, a very young Black Sabbath, and Jose Feliciano. The Dead performed a fine electric set despite the tiny stage, crowded press arena, and a PA and monitoring system that they weren't able to hear. No problem, the boys played full tilt for three hours straight to the delight of the Newcastle-under-Lyme freaks and adventurous locals. The British press were unanimous in their positive appraisal of the Dead’s showing at the festival: Mac Garry (in Zigzag 13) said that they were "…totally magnificent.” His description of Jerry’s performance was compelling: “…the solid red Gibson looked so flimsy in Garcia’s hands that it looked like it would break like balsa if he squeezed it—but it seemed like every time he touched it, beautiful, clear ringing notes poured out—and on Me and My Uncle he was just fucking fabulous.” Dick Lawson (‘What would be the answer to the answer then?’ Friends 12) completely gushed over the show, describing their set as "The most ecstatic exploratory music ever witnessed in England."
Grateful Dead—Hollywood Festival, Ted Askey’s Lower Pig Farm, Staffordshire, England, May 24, 1970
Grateful Dead—Hollywood Festival, Ted Askey’s…
Grateful Dead—Hollywood Festival, Ted Askey’s Lower Pig Farm, Staffordshire, England, May 24, 1970
53 years ago this week, the Dead made their first trip across the pond to play at the Hollywood Festival. The two-day outdoor event was packed with a variety of local and national talent, which included the likes of Traffic, Ginger Baker’s Airforce, Mungo Jerry, The Flaming Groovies, Tony Joe White, a very young Black Sabbath, and Jose Feliciano. The Dead performed a fine electric set despite the tiny stage, crowded press arena, and a PA and monitoring system that they weren't able to hear. No problem, the boys played full tilt for three hours straight to the delight of the Newcastle-under-Lyme freaks and adventurous locals. The British press were unanimous in their positive appraisal of the Dead’s showing at the festival: Mac Garry (in Zigzag 13) said that they were "…totally magnificent.” His description of Jerry’s performance was compelling: “…the solid red Gibson looked so flimsy in Garcia’s hands that it looked like it would break like balsa if he squeezed it—but it seemed like every time he touched it, beautiful, clear ringing notes poured out—and on Me and My Uncle he was just fucking fabulous.” Dick Lawson (‘What would be the answer to the answer then?’ Friends 12) completely gushed over the show, describing their set as "The most ecstatic exploratory music ever witnessed in England."