Garcia and Dead manager Rock Scully walked outside where they found Pete sitting alone on a bench. His mood was black as Pete told them The Who were finished and he couldn’t face going on with all the problems in the group. Doing what anyone from the San Francisco 60s scene would do, Jerry and Rock took some acid with Pete. As the effect of the drug started Pete’s mood seemed to lift when he looked around and said “nature, bloody hell, it’s still out here.”
Back inside the hotel’s two bars were almost completely destroyed by the crew members of both bands. The floor was carpeted with broken glass, the video games were smashed and if there was a single glass that had not been thrown against the wall it was because somebody had not seen it.
Next morning I was walking down the hall with one of the Dead’s girlfriends who asked if I was going to catch the early van to see The Who’s show. Saying no, the man in front turned and questioned: “You’re not going to go and see The Who?” Years later I recognized that he was Richard Barnes and got to thank him for convincing me to go to the show.
The Who’s set blew me away that night. From the laser lights during “Who Are You” to the sheer power of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” As they watched “Pinball Wizard” on the monitors backstage my dad told the Dead’s sound mixer that they really needed to play into the vocal and get as much punch as possible so they wouldn’t sound flat compared to The Who. After The Who’s encore they walked into the backstage area as Garcia was going into his dressing room. When Townshend sees him he yelled “GARCIA!” and then followed him inside his room.
Later during the Grateful Dead’s part of the show Pete came into our dressing room and sat down next to me. Pete looked edgy as he looked around and realised he was in the wrong room before walking out again. Towards the show’s end Pete got on-stage with the Dead and played three songs. Unlike most musicians who sit in, Townshend didn’t just stand to the side but got in the middle of the stage and jumped around. I was watching from the side and I thought he looked cool even when Pete was just lighting a cigarette and dancing to parts of the songs he didn’t know.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
justin, these stories are fantastic.
seriously.
2 - justin Kreutzmann
Thank you. I has been an entertaining life so far. More (life and stories) to come...
3 - Bill B
Once again, good stuff Justin. I remember seeing either the same interview where Jerry spoke about being sandwiched between The Who and Jimi Hendrix at Monterey, or maybe just another occasion when he related the story. Very very funny.
I have a vhs tape of some of that Rockpalast show. One of my favorite versions of Sugaree that night. Off hand I don't remember much else, maybe Mexicali and Althea I think and with Townshend on Not Fade Away.
Interesting comment from Garcia about Townshend. I hadn't heard that.
4 - Bennett
Great stuff Justin. Thanks for bringing these "behind the scenes" writing to blogcritics.
More please!
5 - justin Kreutzmann
Bigger and better things to come.
Just cleaning out the closet of the old rock 'n' roll stories.
Exciting things in the works that will produce new stories.
6 - Doug Smith
Geez!! You've got a great blog going here. Seriously fantastic stories.
7 - CC joe
grate stories! my old lady love's the stuff about the Who! and it is always cool to hear about two cool bands hanging out! thankx!
8 - toast
I just pulled out my recording of the Rockpalast show (which I'd never finished) last night and saw the segment with Pete. Wanting more info, here I am- thanks soooo much for your stories!
9 - absoluteabsence
I remember reading a quote from Jerry where he was talking about musicians he really loved & he said "Thank God for Pete Townshend". I can't find the interview the quote was from but wholly agree with it
10 - Sam
I was at the shows in London. I stood right in front of Jerry for all three shows.