Grateful Dead Drummer Bill Kreutzmann Performs 45-Minute ‘Dark Star’ With Daniel Donato

Daniel Donato hosted a guest-filled late-night show on Friday at Republic NOLA in New Orleans. Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, Doom Flamingo vocalist Kanika Moore and The Meters bassist George Porter Jr. were among those who sat-in at Daniel Donato’s Cosmic NOLA 2023 concert.

Bill Kreutzmann, who was in town for Billy & The Kids' Fleur De Dead concert at the Saenger Theatre one night earlier, advised fans he would be swinging by Donato’s show. “I’ve played the room now known as Republic NOLA since it was the Howlin’ Wolf and tonight it’s Daniel Donato’s turn,” Bill The Drummer wrote on social media on Friday afternoon. “He happened to have an extra drum kit so I told him to set it up, just in case I feel like dropping in on a couple tunes, early on.”

Kreutzmann emerged towards the middle of Donato’s first set and wound up joining the guitarist’s Cosmic Country ensemble for three songs. Billy took up a spot on a set positioned next to Cosmic Country drummer Noah Miller and added to “Dire Wolf,” “Dark Star” and “Cumberland Blues.” It was on “Dark Star” when the outfit and their guest went deep in delivering a 45-minute version of the Grateful Dead jam vehicle.

Kanika Moore’s time on stage included leading Cosmic Country through Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and the Dead’s “They Love Each Other,” while George Porter Jr. helmed Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman.” Branden Lewis of Preservation Hall Jazz Band also sat-in with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country on Friday night/Saturday morning.

Volume.com offered a free live broadcast of the concert. The archived stream can be viewed on-demand here. Check out the start of “Dark Star” via Volume below:

Watch fan-shot video from Kreutzmann’s appearance below: