31 years ago today I may have seen one of the last great Dead shows. This show was the fourth night of a six night run at the old Boston Garden. My friend JC scored tickets to the shows on the 1st and 2nd of October. He managed to get us seats center stage about 12 rows back. The were the best seats I ever had for a Grateful Dead concert. The night after, we were behind the stage! The Dead ticket folks must have figured since they gave us top tier seats for the first night, we could rough it behind the stage for the next show.

This was my first time on the east coast, too. A good friend that I had known since middle school was attending law school at Boston College so we had a free floor to crash on. When we got to our seats, we were blown away. Little did we know that the show would be top notch as well. Not only was the set list packed with great tunes, but the So Many Roads was one of the best performances of the song ever, with Jerry singing his heart out at the end. His passion was made all the more poignant because he looked so frail and old and 1994 was not a very good year overall for the Dead’s playing. Jerry, typical of that era, flubs some lyrics throughout the night, but his guitar sounded crisp and clean and being so close, the night was one I won’t ever forget.

The next night was super fun too. It was the first time we’d ever seen a show from behind the stage and we got to have fun watching the audience, which was extremely entertaining. Another high school friend was there with her future husband, and if memory serves we saw them briefly before the show. Pretty sure that was their only Dead show.

From the land of the midnight sun

Where the ice blue roses grow

Along those roads of gold and silver snow

Howlin' wide or moaning low

So many roads I know

So many roads to ease my soul