Grateful Dead to Bid Farewell with 50th Anniversary Shows at Chicago's Soldier Field

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Dead 50

Few bands can claim the legacy that the Grateful Dead has enjoyed since it was founded in 1965, and now fans will have three final opportunities to witness the iconic group on stage together. Over Fourth of July weekend 2015, the remaining “core four” Grateful Dead members will convene at Chicago’s Soldier Field for the final three concerts of its 50-year career from July 3-5.

 

 

For the three-night event, which has been dubbed “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead,” co-founders Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann and longtime drummer Mickey Hart chose Soldier Field for sentimental reasons, according to Billboard. The stadium was the final venue where the group performed with Jerry Garcia back in summer 1995, so these Grateful Dead Soldier Field concerts will allow the band to come full circle with the memory of one of rock’s most revered guitarists.

 

Joining the “core four” for their final shows will be frequent collaborators Jeff Chimenti (of The Dead, RatDog, and Furthur) and Bruce Hornsby, who was an unofficial touring member of the band in the early ‘90s. In an announcement that’s surely a dream come true for many jam band fanatics, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio will also be a major player at this summer’s Grateful Dead Soldier Field concerts. The celebrated guitarist has carried the torch of improvisational rock into the new millennium through Phish, as well as with his own solo work. He’s also collaborated with members of the Grateful Dead via the side projects SerialPod and Phil Lesh and Phriends.

 

Aside from the music, perhaps the most exciting part of the upcoming performances is the chance for fans across generations to enjoy the music together. The early “Deadheads” helped to define the counterculture of the ‘70s, and the band’s fervent following helped to change fandom for rock music lovers around the world. With these upcoming Grateful Dead Soldier Field shows, longtime fans can relive those memories of years past, while young fans can finally experience beloved songs like “Scarlet Begonias” and “Casey Jones” in person. During these three concerts, some parents, and dedicated fans, will finally be able to introduce their children to the quintessential live music experience of the 20^th century for the first time.

 

Whether you’ll be bridging the generation gap or just want to see this iconic band one last time, don’t hesitate to secure Grateful Dead tickets for what’s sure to be an emotional, whirlwind weekend of live music from this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame outfit.

 

DATE	GRATEFUL DEAD FINAL CONCERTS 2015
July 3, 2015	Grateful Dead Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
July 4, 2015	Grateful Dead Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
July 5, 2015	Grateful Dead Soldier Field – Chicago, IL