600,000 People See Grateful Dead, Allmans & The Band At Summer Jam At Watkins Glen In 1973

It’s been 49 years since over 600,000 descended upon Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway in Watkins Glen, New York for the Summer Jam concert featuring The Allman Brothers Band, The Band and the Grateful Dead. In honor of the anniversary, here’s a look back at the massively-attended single-day event in upstate held on July 28, 1973.

Promoter Bill Graham only planned on one day of music when he planned Summer Jam but the mass of concertgoers already on site on July 27 led to a now legendary soundcheck that saw all three bands warming up in front of many lucky fans. The Dead’s extensive soundcheck is a highly sought out recording among the band’s followers.

The proper day of music on July 28 started with “Bertha” opening the first of two Grateful Dead sets. Other highlights included “Box Of Rain” and the prophetic “Looks Like Rain” in the first set, as well as set two renditions of “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” and “Eyes Of The World.”

Heavy rains disrupted The Band’s subsequent performance. Before the storm they played favorites like “The Weight,” “I Shall Be Released” and” Don’t Do It,” returning after the delay with “Chest Fever,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and several others.

The Allman Brothers Band were the last act to take the stage at Summer Jam there first set kicked off with “Wasted Words” and featured “Southbound,” “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed,” “Blue Sky” and a closing cover of “One Way Out.” The Allmans’ second set was started by “Statesboro Blues” with “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica,” “Midnight Rider,” “You Don’t Love Me,” “Les Brers In A Minor” and a ripping “Whipping Post” making up the rest of the dream setlist. For the encore, the ABB was joined by members of The Band and the Dead on extended takes on “Not Fade Away,” “Mountain Jam” and “Johnny B. Goode.”

Below is a video that mixes audience-shot footage – including a clip of The Band’s performance – with archival photos from Summer Jam paired with a narration about the historic concert event. After the video is audio that’s available from the two days in Upstate New York.

[Grateful Dead July 28, 1973]

[Grateful Dead July 28, 1973 & The Allman Brothers Band With Guests Encore]

[The Band July 27 & July 28, 1973 (And other portions the Dead & ABB at Summer Jam)]

[Originally Published: July 28, 2016]