Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast: Episode Summary – “Friend Of the Devils: West Virginia, 4/78”
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Introduction
In the October 24, 2024 episode of “The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast,” hosts Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarno delve deep into the newly released Grateful Dead box set, Friend of the Devils. This comprehensive 19-CD collection showcases eight unreleased concerts from the band’s vibrant Spring 1978 tour, highlighting the rise of drum space and second set traditions. The episode primarily focuses on the April 16, 1978, concert at Huntington Civic Center in Huntington, West Virginia, a standout performance within the box set.
Unpacking the Friend of the Devils Box Set
Rich Mahan opens the discussion by introducing the Friend of the Devils box set, emphasizing its limited edition status and rapid sell-out due to the Grateful Dead’s exceptional performances in Spring 1978. The set includes complete shows from various venues, including:
- Curtis Hickson Convention Hall, Tampa, FL (04/06)
- The Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, FL (04/07)
- Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL (04/08)
- Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA (04/10 & 04/11)
- Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University (04/12)
- Castle Coliseum, Virginia and Blacksburg (04/14)
- Huntington Civic Center, West Virginia (04/16)
The focal point of this episode, the Huntington show, is celebrated as a breakout performance, set to be released separately in multiple formats.
Notable Quote:
Rich Mahan [00:05]: “...Today’s episode on 416, the concert at Duke is the breakout show from this box and will also be released separately.”
The Huntington Civic Center Concert: A Historic Performance
The April 16, 1978, show at Huntington Civic Center is lauded as a “heater,” with numerous testimonials from attendees underscoring its significance. Guests like David Lemieux and Bob Wagner provide firsthand accounts, highlighting the venue's unique atmosphere and the band's electrifying performance.
Notable Quote:
Bob Wagner [04:45]: “Huntington again. I had to look on a map like Blacksburg. These are places that... This is Huntington, West Virginia. Cool venue.”
Attendees reminisced about the high-energy drum sequences, the full band’s involvement during the Rhythm Devils segment, and the overall supercharged sound of the Dead during this period.
Deadhead Culture and the Evolution of Fan Identity
A substantial portion of the episode explores the Deadhead community's cultural and aesthetic evolution in the late 1970s. Annabel Walsh, a designer and researcher, discusses the transformation of Deadhead fashion, noting the shift from inconspicuous clothing to distinctive tie-dye and homemade shirts.
Notable Quote:
Annabel Walsh [10:37]: “At photographs from the Spring 78 tour, people are dressed in fairly inconspicuous fashions, right?... You see a lot of denim...”
Jesse Jarno and David Lemieux delve into the origins and significance of Deadhead fashion, emphasizing the role of artists like Ed Donahue in pioneering t-shirt designs that blended fine art traditions with counterculture aesthetics.
Notable Quote:
Jesse Jarno [07:12]: “There is a kind of a minority group... that can dig what we're doing.”
Annabel highlights how Deadhead fashion began to flourish in this era, influenced by the broader counterculture's embrace of handmade and repurposed clothing. This period saw the emergence of iconic Deadhead symbols and the proliferation of unique t-shirt art, which became a cornerstone of the community’s identity.
LSD Distribution and Its Impact on the Grateful Dead Scene
The episode transitions into a discussion on LSD distribution methods prevalent among Deadheads in the late 1970s. Contributors like Bob Wagner and Eric Davis provide insights into the transition from earlier forms of LSD (“orange sunshine” and microdots) to blotter, which became the dominant medium during this time.
Notable Quote:
Bob Wagner [20:42]: “All the acid I did mid late 73, 74, was either like little tiny pills like that or like window pane...”
Eric Davis elaborates on how the shift to blotter facilitated broader distribution and influenced the cultural landscape of the Deadhead community. He connects this evolution to the creation of a new iconography that blended playful and artistic elements, aligning more with Andy Warhol’s pop art than the original San Francisco psychedelia.
Notable Quote:
Eric Davis [23:42]: “It was kind of a cleaner... the act of naming each design... reflects a connection to the fine art tradition of titling works.”
Furthermore, the discussion touches on how LSD was intertwined with the Grateful Dead’s touring circuit, serving both as a social glue and a form of currency within the community. The hosts note that as LSD became more mainstream, its cultural significance shifted, impacting the spiritual and revolutionary ethos that originally fueled the Deadhead movement.
Musical Innovations and Jerry Garcia’s Guitar Techniques
A segment of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Jerry Garcia’s evolving guitar techniques during the 1978 tour. Jesse Jarno shares his personal approach to playing, highlighting the influence of banjo techniques and rhythmic ingenuity inspired by Garcia.
Notable Quote:
Jesse Jarno [47:41]: “I have about maybe four or five different kinds of vibrato...”
David Lemieux and Jesse provide a technical breakdown of Garcia’s performances, particularly focusing on the intricate jam sequences and synchronous guitar rhythms that defined the Dead’s sound during this period. They discuss how Garcia’s experimentation with rhythm and melody contributed to the band’s ability to continuously innovate and push musical boundaries.
Notable Quote:
Jesse Jarno [54:04]: “I have a certain amount of rhythmic and idea habits in addition to technical habits...”
The episode also features insights from John Stevert’s interviews with Garcia, revealing the latter's dedication to practicing and his relentless pursuit of musical excellence.
Personal Anecdotes: Stories from the 1978 Shows
Listeners are treated to vivid personal stories from attendees like Scott White and Bob Wagner, who recount their experiences at the Huntington show and other concerts from the Friend of the Devils tour.
Notable Quote:
Scott White [35:29]: “My buddy Mark had driven over from Williamsburg, Virginia, where he'd seen the dad on Saturday night...”
These narratives paint a picture of the communal and sometimes chaotic atmosphere surrounding Grateful Dead shows in 1978, including encounters with law enforcement and the challenges of traveling to lesser-known venues. Bob Wagner shares his experiences with LSD usage and the intricacies of the Deadhead community's social dynamics during the tour.
Notable Quote:
Bob Wagner [63:17]: “If you don't know the best way to Huntington by now you haven't been paying enough attention...”
The Legacy of the 1978 Tour and Beyond
As the episode draws to a close, the hosts reflect on the broader impact of the 1978 tour on the Grateful Dead’s legacy. They discuss how this period marked a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution, leading to subsequent projects like Shakedown Street and collaborations with artists such as Hamza El Din.
Notable Quote:
David Lemieux [70:07]: “Francis Ford Coppola would only draw sparingly on the music Mickey Hart and Billy Kreutzman contributed to Apocalypse Now...”
The episode underscores the enduring influence of the 1978 performances on both the band’s musical direction and the cultural fabric of the Deadhead community. The introduction of electronic elements and the institutionalization of Rhythm Devils segments are highlighted as key developments that kept the Grateful Dead at the forefront of musical innovation.
Notable Quote:
David Lemieux [72:47]: “Oprah up the Runner because it was such an intimate venue...”
Conclusion
“The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast” wraps up its exploration of Friend of the Devils with a comprehensive look at one of the most iconic tours in Grateful Dead history. Through expert analysis, personal stories, and rich historical context, the episode offers both new fans and lifelong Deadheads a deeply engaging and informative narrative of the band’s enduring legacy.
Notable Quote:
Rich Mahan [81:45]: “Thanks very much for tuning in to the good old Grateful Deadcast...”
Listeners are encouraged to explore more episodes and engage with the Deadhead community through the podcast’s online platforms, ensuring that the spirit and stories of the Grateful Dead continue to resonate.
Credits:
Special thanks to guests Kathy Sublette, Rob Blitzstein, Bob Wagner, Bob Minkin, Jay Blakesburg, David Lemieux, Steve Silberman, Eric Davis, and Annabel Walsh. Executive producer Mark Pincus and creative team members at Rhino Entertainment and Rich Mahan Promotions contributed to the episode’s production excellence.
For more detailed discussions and to listen to past episodes, visit dead.net/deadcast.