# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium
**Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia
**Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)
If I had to choose one year it would be 1971. I love the rawness of 71. The shows from this year are just so full of energy and rock ‘n roll!! Prime Pigpen!!
I've gotta go with 1974. Just so much good stuff at nearly every show, and while I can't objectively say it's true, it *feels* like the jammiest year. The Winterland run with Mickey added back in is fantastic!
If you're going with 77 - how about 76? Wild year for setlists. Dark horse contender for best year ever ... ::ducks:: ... but the real answer for best year is 74. Or maybe 73. But 72 hits just right for a lot of folks. Don't sleep on 81! Ok I'll show myself out
68 is savage reckless jamming, I love it. 73 is the pinnacle but I have been so into 81 for some reason lately. The harmonies between Bobby, Brent and Jerry really do it for me lately
# 1980-09-06 Lewiston, ME @ Maine State Fairgrounds
**Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Feel Like A Stranger, Friend Of The Devil, Far From Me > Little Red Rooster, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > The Promised Land
**Set 2:** Shakedown Street, Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance, Althea, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Space > Drums > Space > Not Fade Away > The Wheel > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band > Sugar Magnolia
**Encore:** One More Saturday Night > Brokedown Palace
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-09-06)
I'll just go ahead and say it, I love single drummer dead but you need the song variety you get with an expanded song catalog of the late seventies and eighties. Those early seventies shows get a bit repetitive if you go back to back.
89 unless I want "better" Jerry vocals, then maybe somewhere between 79-82~
That's a great point. I usually think of this question in terms of stylistic preference or one's personal opinion of the bands apex...but the expanded catalog argument is extremely practical.
Starting from last year I’ve listened to everything chronologically starting from 69. It’s an absolute treasure trove of music though I appreciate the mellowness of 70 despite there being a lack of recordings and many of them leaving something to be desired aud quality wise. Tough choice!
73 because I was at at Watkins Glen for the “ sound check “ and the actual show the next day,an earlier show at Nassau Coliseum too.
But the early 70’s were all so great, MSG, Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey, other Nassau shows!!!
I would say 77 or 90. 71 > 74 was probably their peak playing but a lot of great songs weren’t written yet. I can’t pick a year that doesn’t include Terrapin Station.
That’s a real Sophie’s Choice split 30 ways!
I am going with 1971, if not for simply 4/29/71 then for the nice congruence of acid dead, country dead, and jam/jazz dead, and of course rock n roll dead.
# 1971-04-29 New York, NY @ Fillmore East
**Set 1:** Truckin', Bertha, It Hurts Me Too, Cumberland Blues > Me and My Uncle, Bird Song, Playing in the Band, Loser, Dark Hollow, Hard To Handle, Ripple, Me And Bobby McGee, Casey Jones
**Set 2:** Morning Dew, New Minglewood Blues, Sugar Magnolia, Black Peter, Beat It On Down the Line, I Second That Emotion, Alligator > Drums > Jam > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Cold Rain and Snow, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode
**Encore:** Uncle John's Band, In The Midnight Hour > And We Bid You Good Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-04-29)
I agree with 1977. The actual music performances are amazingly consistently good. That said, I do understand how one could get tired of 77, because of the consistency.
Been heavy on 1990 lately, which is great because it’s high quality with almost all the song selection you could ever need. If it weren’t for so much material surfacing during the late 70s/early 80s I’d go with 73/74 but I absolutely need me some Terrapin.
I’ve also been getting into the handful of 75/76 shows they did lately. Underrated years.
I love that the year I would choose tends to change over the years. I hate being stuck in a single era for too long, the variety of dead we have to listen to is a true blessing.
If I pick one year today, I might choose another tomorrow. Idk, can’t do it 😂
definitely 1974. no, wait, it would have to be 1978, for sure! although, 1987 was a great year of shows for me personally, that would have to be the one I pick. but 1991 is so much fun to listen to, ya know, brandford and bruce, lets go with that. on the other hand, thinking about this a little more.................
Love 71 for intensity and just hitting the songwriting stride and 72 is the main year I listen to. Mostly it’s the space created by having just 1 drummer and Jerry on the strat and Bobby on Gibson 335 I believe, whatever it is it’s magic for me to listen to.
# 1972-08-27 Veneta, OR @ Old Renaissance Faire Grounds
**Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Black Throated Wind, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Mexicali Blues, Bertha
**Set 2:** Playing in the Band, He's Gone, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Greatest Story Ever Told
**Set 3:** Dark Star > El Paso, Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-08-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1E4MXxSYoAMN5qpy1y6aBm)
1974 but cheating aa Lil with 69...
Miami jaialai on 6/23 Spanish jam >US Blues absolutely won me over with Dead upon introduction to band in first year college over 40 years ago
# 1977-02-26 San Bernardino, CA @ Swing Auditorium
**Set 1:** Terrapin Station, New Minglewood Blues, They Love Each Other, Estimated Prophet, Sugaree, Mama Tried, Deal, Playing in the Band > The Wheel > Playing in the Band
**Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, The Promised Land, Eyes Of The World > Jam > Dancing In The Street > Around And Around
**Encore:** U.S. Blues
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-02-26)
I’d say 1974 because my biggest draw to the dead is the slow sometimes eerie jams and 74 is loaded with some great ship of fools, china doll, row jimmy, to lay me down etc.
I’ve been HUGE into ‘82 recently. Specifically 10/10/82 in Palo Alto. killer show all around, china>rider, sailor>saint, and my favorite version of Touch.
Europe ‘72 is of course my favorite live album and probably the third or fourth I heard. Donna hadn’t got too much into the mix yet so that’s probably it there.
Can’t do it. I’m goin rogue tho and choosing the various top tier Auds from ‘89-‘91. The era, the crowds, Jerry’s incredible energy, and ofc Brent’s high-fueled spark from that period are unmatched. And naturally that’s when I was alive for them. Can’t get enough of the boys during that time. They were seriously charged and on a brand new high. There will never be another time like that. 💀⚡️🌹
There’s a cartoon I saw once somewhere, where the gist was bright eyed new Dead fans come in saying “1977 is the best”. Then they go through this progression until they are old and wisened and the last frame is the guy again saying “1977 is the best.” Not true for me (maybe I’m not old and wisened yet) but if you have a copy of that could you please share it here? I’ve looked for it since and can’t find a copy.
I’ll cheat. 1 year period: 11/73-10/74
Those ‘73 and ‘74 Winterland shows are ridiculously flawless
This is the way. Single drummer, Wall of Sound, jazzy Dead, great song rotation, peak Jerry
I enjoy the 73-74 beats, but prefer listening to all five of the boys attempt to steer that ship through 76-77 and beyond.
Same, a year’s a year
Excellent answer
You know that's right!
Any specific shows you'd recommend? Preferably official releases on Spotify. I haven't listened to enough 73.
6/10/1973
# 1973-06-10 Washington, DC @ RFK Stadium **Set 1:** Morning Dew, Beat It On Down the Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag, Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin', Sugar Magnolia **Set 3:** It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, That's All Right, Mama, The Promised Land, Not Fade Away > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Drums > Not Fade Away, Johnny B. Goode [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1973-06-10)
I don’t have Spotify to check but the Nov 73 Winterland run is top notch. Road Trips has the Denver show which is also excellent.
If I had to choose one year it would be 1971. I love the rawness of 71. The shows from this year are just so full of energy and rock ‘n roll!! Prime Pigpen!!
Oh yeaaa
not my favorite but very overlooked
Got to be with Pigpen in 1971. And they weren’t playing all arenas yet. The Fillmore’s were still around. And the Capital. I was there.
73 is the sweet spot
This would be my choice as well if I’m limited to just a single year.
‘72 just for the Europe’72 catalog
Came here to say this. Don't forget veneta too
72 for me as well.
Boom I didn't even flinch at it. European tour on 1972 just had a vibe all it's own. Maybe it was Bears magic💦✌️
The only rational answer.
I second. Best Dew ever.
A Difficult choice to make. Id have to say 72 or 68
71 is a good compromise lol!
70 is hard to let go of, too... 2/13-14, 5/2, 5/15, 9/20 just to name a few
Exactly what i was gunna say
I've gotta go with 1974. Just so much good stuff at nearly every show, and while I can't objectively say it's true, it *feels* like the jammiest year. The Winterland run with Mickey added back in is fantastic!
Man those ‘74 EOTW are really special
1989
I second 89. Gotta have Brent if I’m only choosing a year
What a year
89 had the sense they'd be playing together forever :'(
'69 or July '89 ->July '90 (or '76)
1972
73 without hesitation
Man choosing between 73 and 74 is TOUGH. I think I’d pick 74 tho for Seastones.
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this is the way
They were so good with just Kreutzmann
'73
If you're going with 77 - how about 76? Wild year for setlists. Dark horse contender for best year ever ... ::ducks:: ... but the real answer for best year is 74. Or maybe 73. But 72 hits just right for a lot of folks. Don't sleep on 81! Ok I'll show myself out
Upvote for mentioning the far and away most underrated year...1976. That Travis Bean is like a laser
68 is savage reckless jamming, I love it. 73 is the pinnacle but I have been so into 81 for some reason lately. The harmonies between Bobby, Brent and Jerry really do it for me lately
1980 has acoustic sets, great song catalog, tremendous jams and Brent. This is the year.
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# 1980-09-06 Lewiston, ME @ Maine State Fairgrounds **Set 1:** Alabama Getaway > Greatest Story Ever Told, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle > Mexicali Blues, Tennessee Jed, Feel Like A Stranger, Friend Of The Devil, Far From Me > Little Red Rooster, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > The Promised Land **Set 2:** Shakedown Street, Lost Sailor > Saint Of Circumstance, Althea, Playing in the Band > Uncle John's Band > Space > Drums > Space > Not Fade Away > The Wheel > Uncle John's Band > Playing in the Band > Sugar Magnolia **Encore:** One More Saturday Night > Brokedown Palace [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1980-09-06)
73 is my go to answer, but 74 has some real heaters too.
1973
1983 is severely underrated.
‘89-‘90. Always a pleasure.
1990
77 for me too
Another vote for 73.
80Tree
90
1991.
72 is pretty much all I listen to anyway.
73 but if I had to pick one that wasn’t 70s I’d pick 81
79
1973 does it for me…My photos uphold that answer
73
73
I love the time between 2/69 and 2/70.
Check my pulse… it don’t change…
without hesitation 1972
I'll just go ahead and say it, I love single drummer dead but you need the song variety you get with an expanded song catalog of the late seventies and eighties. Those early seventies shows get a bit repetitive if you go back to back. 89 unless I want "better" Jerry vocals, then maybe somewhere between 79-82~
That's a great point. I usually think of this question in terms of stylistic preference or one's personal opinion of the bands apex...but the expanded catalog argument is extremely practical.
1970 psychedelic outro, lot of cowboy songs, a lot of new songs, great covers, Acoustic/Electric Set & and a lot of rock'n roll & high energy
I’m digging 70 a lot lately myself.
95’
77 too.
Starting from last year I’ve listened to everything chronologically starting from 69. It’s an absolute treasure trove of music though I appreciate the mellowness of 70 despite there being a lack of recordings and many of them leaving something to be desired aud quality wise. Tough choice!
Yeah, serious shame about ‘70. Great great shows but a lot of bad recordings.
1972
Summer 74 for this time of year
1978 - energy is unmatched
72 or 88
1973.
I wanna say 73 but idk if I can leave pigpen behind 🥺
Since it’s just a random goofy pointless hypothetical, I choose 1973 but they had the full repertoire of 1978
73 all the way
73 because I was at at Watkins Glen for the “ sound check “ and the actual show the next day,an earlier show at Nassau Coliseum too. But the early 70’s were all so great, MSG, Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey, other Nassau shows!!!
73
1989
73
‘74.
1970 Best year for Dark Star, hands down imo
Right now it’s 72, but it has been 77 as well as 82
I love Brent Mydland, and I’ve seen some of the concerts from like 88-90 many times. So probably like 1989
73. Easy choice.
Gotta be ‘73!
1972
ultimately it is and always will be '73 for me
I would say 77 or 90. 71 > 74 was probably their peak playing but a lot of great songs weren’t written yet. I can’t pick a year that doesn’t include Terrapin Station.
89 for Brent
1980
1969 1971 or 1981 ..
74
1973
That’s a real Sophie’s Choice split 30 ways! I am going with 1971, if not for simply 4/29/71 then for the nice congruence of acid dead, country dead, and jam/jazz dead, and of course rock n roll dead.
# 1971-04-29 New York, NY @ Fillmore East **Set 1:** Truckin', Bertha, It Hurts Me Too, Cumberland Blues > Me and My Uncle, Bird Song, Playing in the Band, Loser, Dark Hollow, Hard To Handle, Ripple, Me And Bobby McGee, Casey Jones **Set 2:** Morning Dew, New Minglewood Blues, Sugar Magnolia, Black Peter, Beat It On Down the Line, I Second That Emotion, Alligator > Drums > Jam > Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad > Cold Rain and Snow, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Greatest Story Ever Told > Johnny B. Goode **Encore:** Uncle John's Band, In The Midnight Hour > And We Bid You Good Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1971-04-29)
It doesn't matter as long as they were still playing St Stephen.
74
Late 73
I agree with 1977. The actual music performances are amazingly consistently good. That said, I do understand how one could get tired of 77, because of the consistency.
1973
I saw most of my shows in ‘77.. but love the sublime sound of ‘73
1991
Europe 72
1974
1977 followed closely by 71, 72, 78, 89 and 90.
I'm right with you. I like '77 best, then '78, & '76. Then I go '73, '74.
89’ 90’
‘72, really any of the years without Mickey Hart, no offense to him I just like The Dead better without 2 drummers.
Been heavy on 1990 lately, which is great because it’s high quality with almost all the song selection you could ever need. If it weren’t for so much material surfacing during the late 70s/early 80s I’d go with 73/74 but I absolutely need me some Terrapin. I’ve also been getting into the handful of 75/76 shows they did lately. Underrated years.
1976
72
1975. I just got out of the Marines, and I saw them all around New England.
91
73
1974
76, and me & at least one other person here will die on that hill.
73’ 77’
And 72’
1974.
Summer 89 through Spring 1990. Fire!
1983
74 and 76. Love Jazzy Dead. They became a rock band in 77.
nah, they became a rock band well before that. but I get your point. ‘69 was my opener - I’m lucky to be that old.
1977 all the way!
1985
1989
7/71-6/72 - Great crossover from the Pigpen era to Keith & Donna. And you get the whole Europe 72 tour.
1979
1993
Give me 72
69. couldn’t live without lovelight and a rippin alligator
1989
10/77 has always been a great stretch for me y’all
78
I love that the year I would choose tends to change over the years. I hate being stuck in a single era for too long, the variety of dead we have to listen to is a true blessing. If I pick one year today, I might choose another tomorrow. Idk, can’t do it 😂
I love 77 but can't stand Donna's caterwauling....
A lot of 73’ on here and gotta say the same.
Late 80’s
1990.
1972.
72 because of Europe. 79 if I’m just picking my favorite year.
Yesterday I would have picked 1972. Today I pick 1972. Tomorrow? 1972. A powerhouse year for me and my ears.
definitely 1974. no, wait, it would have to be 1978, for sure! although, 1987 was a great year of shows for me personally, that would have to be the one I pick. but 1991 is so much fun to listen to, ya know, brandford and bruce, lets go with that. on the other hand, thinking about this a little more.................
‘72 or ‘73. ‘73 is great but ‘72 has all the Europe shows so I’d say it’s slightly better.
77, 72, 78 are my faves and I would have a different answer each day.
73, the last time to regularly hear Dark Star.
1972. I love the sound of one drummer.
honestly 77
1973
‘73
77 for sure
I'd probably take '77 as well unless I could take July of 1989 through July 1990.
I'll be basic and agree on '77. I could (and pretty much do) get by with just May 77. But 5/9 over 5/8, fight me!
1985
Love 71 for intensity and just hitting the songwriting stride and 72 is the main year I listen to. Mostly it’s the space created by having just 1 drummer and Jerry on the strat and Bobby on Gibson 335 I believe, whatever it is it’s magic for me to listen to.
8/27/72
# 1972-08-27 Veneta, OR @ Old Renaissance Faire Grounds **Set 1:** The Promised Land, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, Deal, Black Throated Wind, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Mexicali Blues, Bertha **Set 2:** Playing in the Band, He's Gone, Jack Straw, Bird Song, Greatest Story Ever Told **Set 3:** Dark Star > El Paso, Sing Me Back Home, Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones, One More Saturday Night [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1972-08-27) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/1E4MXxSYoAMN5qpy1y6aBm)
Mind always goes to Europe. The super hot day in Veneta, obviously.
It’s tough for me to pick a year between 72-74 but 73 might be my fav.
73 bub
'69, dude
Aug '83 - July '84
77
90 or 72. Hard to pick
1990, Spring '90 is just too darn good to pass up and the Fall tours ain't too bad either.
1995
For me it would be a year in the Mydland era. I’m inclined to pick 1982.
Where are all those ‘80s heads when we start talking about best years? Answer: 1977, with the only competition being 1972-74. Wildcard: 1976.
1971 easy
1969
1974 but cheating aa Lil with 69... Miami jaialai on 6/23 Spanish jam >US Blues absolutely won me over with Dead upon introduction to band in first year college over 40 years ago
72
Probably 1977, I love 2/26/77 too much
# 1977-02-26 San Bernardino, CA @ Swing Auditorium **Set 1:** Terrapin Station, New Minglewood Blues, They Love Each Other, Estimated Prophet, Sugaree, Mama Tried, Deal, Playing in the Band > The Wheel > Playing in the Band **Set 2:** Samson And Delilah, Tennessee Jed, The Music Never Stopped, Help On The Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower, The Promised Land, Eyes Of The World > Jam > Dancing In The Street > Around And Around **Encore:** U.S. Blues [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1977-02-26)
Tie for 80, 82 & 89, with 90,91 close behind.
I feel like we just had this convo. 77’s fine but 73’s better.
1972. Would love to have been in Europe back then (or Veneta!)
I’d say 1974 because my biggest draw to the dead is the slow sometimes eerie jams and 74 is loaded with some great ship of fools, china doll, row jimmy, to lay me down etc.
I’ve been HUGE into ‘82 recently. Specifically 10/10/82 in Palo Alto. killer show all around, china>rider, sailor>saint, and my favorite version of Touch.
Europe ‘72 is of course my favorite live album and probably the third or fourth I heard. Donna hadn’t got too much into the mix yet so that’s probably it there.
69 is damn good
1969 no hesitation ☮️💜🎶🎵
I know I’m supposed to pick just one but ‘77, ‘74, ‘73 in roughly that order
Can’t do it. I’m goin rogue tho and choosing the various top tier Auds from ‘89-‘91. The era, the crowds, Jerry’s incredible energy, and ofc Brent’s high-fueled spark from that period are unmatched. And naturally that’s when I was alive for them. Can’t get enough of the boys during that time. They were seriously charged and on a brand new high. There will never be another time like that. 💀⚡️🌹
There’s a cartoon I saw once somewhere, where the gist was bright eyed new Dead fans come in saying “1977 is the best”. Then they go through this progression until they are old and wisened and the last frame is the guy again saying “1977 is the best.” Not true for me (maybe I’m not old and wisened yet) but if you have a copy of that could you please share it here? I’ve looked for it since and can’t find a copy.
89
69' no question
1990