GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST
Episode: Europe ‘72: Prelude
Date: April 7, 2022

Episode Overview

This episode launches Season 5 of the official Grateful Dead podcast with an in-depth exploration of the legendary Europe '72 tour—setting the scene for one of the band's greatest adventures. The hosts, Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarnow, weave together archival interviews, new conversations, and musical analysis to illuminate the origins, logistics, cultural context, and legacy of the Grateful Dead’s ambitious 1972 European odyssey. With contributions from band members, road crew, family, historians, and special guests like Elvis Costello, the episode offers history, humor, and heartfelt memories for Dead Heads old and new.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

The Genesis and Significance of Europe ‘72

• Origins and Planning

  • The tour was a long-held dream for the Grateful Dead—a chance to introduce their distinctly American sound to European audiences who were mostly unfamiliar with the band.
  • The idea persisted since the late ‘60s but was delayed by canceled tours in ‘68, ‘70, and ‘71, hindered by logistics, finances, and circumstances. (20:15–24:10)
  • Sam Cutler (tour manager) is widely credited for finally making it happen, orchestrating a financially viable and well-organized tour with Warner Bros. support. (23:28, 24:18)
  • Alan Trist’s connections in the UK and Europe were instrumental in laying the groundwork for promotion and press. (25:39, 27:14)
  • Venues were chosen for their acoustic qualities and historical significance, like the Lyceum in London and Tivoli in Copenhagen. (29:32–31:39)

• The Band and the Family on the Road

  • The Grateful Dead traveled as an extended family, bringing along 43–52 people: musicians, crew, office staff, drivers, and family members. (38:26, 38:53)
  • “Whenever we go anywhere, that's how we go.” – Phil Lesh (11:29)
  • The inclusion of so many contributed to the irrepressible “family affair” vibe of the Grateful Dead, setting a precedent for future tours.

“We managed to get round Europe with 52 people and we didn’t lose one of them.” —Sam Cutler [38:53]

• Innovations on Tour

  • Alembic provided cutting-edge sound and recording equipment, including a custom-converted Ampex MM1000 for live 16-track tape recordings. (42:19–47:09)
  • Modified instruments, lighting by Candace Brightman, and technical crew like Janet Furman ensured the show could meet American standards abroad. (46:51, 65:33)

• Substance Use and Counterculture Context

  • The episode candidly discusses the band and crew’s use of marijuana and LSD, both sourced from the US and locally in Europe, where underground chemists were brewing up their own. (53:50–56:32)

The Music of Europe ‘72

• Setlist and Songwriting Evolution
  • The tour doubled as a live laboratory for a wave of new songs: "He's Gone," "Jack Straw," "Brown Eyed Women," "Ramble On Rose," "Mr. Charlie," "Tennessee Jed."
  • Robert Hunter describes the album as a companion piece to "Workingman’s Dead" and "American Beauty," representing the peak of his songwriting with Garcia. (08:09)
  • Elvis Costello marvels at the timeless Americana, ragtime, and shuffle influences of the new material, likening the Dead’s work to “weird time travel music.” (06:40–10:18)

“If you only took those songs, they belong in the Great American Songbook… To me, that's more extraordinary—that ability to summon another time in relatively simple chords.” —Elvis Costello [06:40, 08:43]

• Performance Excellence
  • Multiple guests and hosts describe the band as creatively and musically at their zenith.
  • “No fatigue, no burnout, no staleness to the repertoire. It was fresh every night.” —David Lemieux (15:13)
  • Sam Cutler: “That was probably, to me, the highlight or the highest point of the Grateful Dead music.” (16:10)
  • Mention of specific peaks within the tour at Wembley, Lyceum, and the German runs. (15:26–15:59)

Building the European Touring Circuit

• Pioneering a New Model
  • John Morris and the European Promoters’ Alliance coordinated venues and infrastructure for American acts, making tours more feasible. (35:08–37:25)
  • The Dead’s tour inadvertently helped establish a model adopted by acts like Paul McCartney’s Wings, creating a sustainable European touring circuit. (37:25)

The Extended Grateful Dead Family: Voices & Reflections

• Donna Jean Godchaux

  • Joined the band just before the tour, bringing fresh energy (and sharing recollections of her “otherworldly” first New York shows with the Hell’s Angels). (13:09, 62:43)
  • Emphasizes the innocence, fun, and camaraderie of the early ‘70s Grateful Dead scene: “There was such an innocence, a quality, purpose, passion that was so pure, really, that it was endearing and absolutely irresistible.” (12:13)

• Big Steve Parish

  • Recounts the group’s cowboy Americana image and brash confidence: “We were conquering that continent… Our attitude was a lot like that. As big as all outdoors… Hey, nothing’s gonna stop us.” (13:09)

• Crew and Tech Perspectives

  • Rosie McGee reflects on old promises and the sense of family fulfillment: “I was brought along as part of the promise that was made to all of us in 1967...” (40:09)
  • Janet Furman and Dennis "Wizard" Leonard give behind-the-scenes insights into the technical mastery and last-minute challenges of prepping for the tour. (42:57–50:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[Europe 72] is a fine, fat album of songs… I feel that in those three albums I hit kind of the peak of my songwriting.” —Robert Hunter [08:20]
• “We’re making a record… Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be all right. You betcha.” —Jerry Garcia & Bob Weir, Hamburg (Crowd banter quoted at [04:48])
• “The music was born out of the sociology because I don’t think they could have possibly had the emotional, spiritual and mental freedom if they didn’t have the support structure of a family.” —Dennis Leonard, aka Wizard [53:40]
• “It was Grateful Dead brand chaos.” —Mountain Girl, on NY Hell’s Angels show [60:42]
• “Everyone stayed high, ma’am. Of course, that was a given.” —Sam Cutler [55:17]

Key Timestamps

• Tour Origins, Early Plans, and Sam Cutler’s Role: 20:15–24:10, 23:28, 29:32–31:39
• Alembic and Technical Innovations: 42:19–47:09
• America to Europe – Family Vibe, Pigpen, Promises: 38:26, 40:09
• Musical Analysis: Europe 72 Songs, American Songbook: 06:40–08:43
• Peak Performances & Tour Highlights: 15:13–15:59, 16:10
• Lighting, Logistics, and More Innovations: 65:33–70:02
• Substance Use & Tour Culture: 53:50–56:32
• Donna Jean Godchaux’s Reflections: 12:13, 62:43
• Mountain Girl and the Hell’s Angels in NY: 60:42

Conclusion

The “Europe '72: Prelude” episode immerses listeners in the context, personalities, ingenuity, and mythology of the Grateful Dead’s historic European adventure. It frames the tour as a culmination of creative growth and communal spirit, setting up a season-long journey through each legendary show. With humor, deep archive, and fresh storytelling, the episode captures both the cultural significance and the enduring magic of the Dead’s “perfectly executed” pilgrimage across the pond.

For deeper stories, music samples, and archival images, visit the podcast webpage.