2-14-70 - When dinosaurs ruled the Earth

When February 14th rolls around, my first thoughts are not the hearts, cupids and overpriced flowers that signify the Hallmark Holiday. Instead, I think of February 14, 1970, in an era when the dinosaurs ruled the earth.

At the Fillmore East in New York City, the Grateful Dead were in the midst of conquering the tough east coast crowd with mammoth shows, marathons ranging from sweet acoustic music to the depths of sonic deep space and improvisational brilliance. The 2-13 and 2-14 shows rank very highly in the deadheads voting for all time best Grateful Dead performances. 2-13 contains a particularly great Dark Star, the vehicle which transported the band and the audience into the far reaches of euphoria (OK, there may have been other vehicles at work too). It was performed in the wee hours of February 14th, as the Dead played long sets (after the Allman Brothers and Love). The highlights are immortalized in Dick’s Picks Volume 4.

Meanwhile, across the pond, the Who was in Leeds, performing one of their best shows, and recording arguably the best live rock album of all time. Live at Leeds still gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. It’s the only album I’ve purchased 4 times (a vinyl copy in the early 80’s, the first CD, the second remastered and extended copy, and finally the Deluxe version including the entire concert and full performance of Tommy). The power of this recording is undeniable, and thank God we have it (legend has it that most tapes of the 1969 US tour were destroyed to discourage bootlegging. Pete, say it ain’t so!). 1970 marks the end of the early of the Who, one that predates the ambitious music of Who's Next and Quadrophenia. In this performance you can hear the lethal stage presence and frenzied energy of this band (some have even suggested that the Who might be the first punks). What ever they were, this album will get your heart pumping.

Go buy your loved one some candy or flowers. Then go buy yourself these discs if you don’t already have them.

Is there anybody out there lucky enough to have been in attendance at these shows? I’d love to hear about it.

Listen: Casey Jones

Shakin' All Over


Buy: Dick's Pick's Volume 4

Live at Leeds