Grateful Dead Pull Off Instrument Switch On April Fools’ Day 1980

When the Grateful Dead took the stage April 1, 1980 at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey the show opening “Promised Land” gave a nod to their (merry) prankster past. In grand April Fools’ Day fashion, the opening tune featured guitarist Bob Weir on keyboards, keyboardist Brent Mydland and guitarist Jerry Garcia on drums, drummers Bill Kreutzmann on rhythm guitar and Mickey Hart on bass and vocals, and Phil Lesh on lead guitar.

The crowd certainly seemed to dig the gag, and in case anyone was feeling cheated out of a proper rendition of the Chuck Berry cover, the band immediately delivered a second performance of “Promised Land” with everyone back in their normal roles.

Have a listen to the April Fools’ Day hijinx and the entire show below thanks to an soundboard recording courtesy of the Live Music Archive and remember: Never trust a prankster.

Setlist (via Jerrybase.com)

Set One: Promised Land [1], Candyman, Me And My Uncle > Big River, Friend Of The Devil, It’s All Over Now, Don’t Ease Me In, Looks Like Rain > Deal

Set Two: Feel Like A Stranger [2], China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Estimated Prophet > He’s Gone > The Other One > Drums > Space > Stella Blue > Around And Around

Encore: Shakedown Street

• [1]April Fool’s Promised: Bobby on keyboards, Brent & Jerry on drums, Billy on lead guitar, Phil on rhythm guitar, and Mickey on bass
• [2] First performance (by GD) in Set 2

[Originally published April 1, 2016]