Dead & Company Perform Jerry Garcia Band Staple Cover ‘Dear Prudence’ At Penultimate Sphere Show

Dead & Company delivered the penultimate show of their 30-date Dead Forever Las Vegas Sphere residency on Friday. Show 29 came exactly 29 years after the untimely death of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. As was the case on what would have been Garcia’s 82nd birthday on August 1, the love for Jerry was evident in several of the song selections.

Dead & Company — Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Mickey Hart with guitarist John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti and drummer Jay Lane — kicked off the concert inside the vault by jumping into one of Bobby and John Barlow’s best tunes, “Cassidy,” with Mayer still nimbly working around an injured index finger of his left hand. The band then launched from 710 Ashbury and into space via a well-jammed “Truckin.”

Sponsored By

The American Beauty classic gave way to “They Love Each Other,” a 1970s Dead staple and Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter composition Jerry included on his 1976 album Reflections. Sung by Mayer, “They Love Each Other” came with the Stealie iconography and billowing psychedelic clouds.

“Jack Straw” followed and featured microscopic sea life before the mighty Dead ship set sail. “Cold Rain and Snow” capped the first set, framed by the adventures of Uncle Sam Skeleton.

Set two began with psychedelic Dead favorite “Dark Star.” After the first verse and exploration, the band found their way into Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” giving Bobby a chance to don his cowboy persona. D&C played “El Paso” at the Sphere once before early in the residency.

The sextet then finished up “Dark Star” and jumped into the classic Dead pairing of “Scarlet Begonias,” complete with flower petal motif, and “Fire On The Mountain,” which transported the Sphere to the pyramids of Giza. Lane and Hart then worked out on “Drums” with Mickey throwing down a Beam session heralding “Space.”

From the improv emerged a cover of The Beatles’ “Dear Prudence.” If one had to pick a song that was a pretty clear nod to Jerry, “Prudence” was it. The White Album cut was a Jerry Garcia Band staple from 1980 to 1995 with JBG clocking 190 plays in that time, as per JerryBase.

Dead & Company’s performance of “Dear Prudence” on Friday marked the song’s third appearance at the Sphere. Bobby handled lead vocals and Mayer delivered a soaring solo in a jubilant rendition. Watch Dead & Company perform “Dear Prudence” below:

“Sugaree” came next. The song originally appeared on Garcia’s 1972 self-titled solo debut album. “Morning Dew,” a song on which Jerry shined, saw the descent from the cosmos back to Haight Ashbury. Sung by Weir, Mayer turned in an inspired solo on the Bonnie Dobson number. The band wrapped up with a fitting “Not Fade Away,” which featured the Grateful Dead photo album visuals.

Dead & Company conclude their Dead Forever residency tonight (August 10). Scroll down for the August 9 setlist via The Skinny.

Want more Dead & Co stats?

Visit JamBase’s The Skinny Hub

More Skinny

---

CashorTrade, is the leader of the face value ticket movement. Tickets are listed at face value or below right now for the Sphere run. By choosing CashorTrade you are supporting real fans not brokers trying to unload inventory. Head over to CashorTrade and make an offer. Who knows, you might even stumble upon a miracle. Going to see Dead & Company at Sphere or any other concerts in Vegas? Book your stay at the newly-renovated Rio Las Vegas using this link and receive 40% off your accommodations!

---

Additional Videos