Grateful Dead Performs Final ‘Blow Away’ In 1990

The latest installment of the Grateful Dead’s All The Years Live video series features previously unreleased footage of a song showcasing late keyboardist Brent Mydland. Brent shines on “Blow Away,” a song he wrote with lyricist John Perry Barlow, on the version of the tune from July 16, 1990 at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

“This Brent Mydland song, debuted in 1988, was a show-stopper whenever it was played through the summer of 1990, and this was the final live version by the Grateful Dead,” wrote Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux. “All 23 versions feature something very special.” The band recorded “Blow Away” for their final studio album, 1989’s Built To Last. Sadly, Brent Mydland died 10 days after the last “Blow Away.”

Last week’s installment of All The Years Live featured a performance of “Touch Of Grey” from July 4, 1990. Previous installments include “Box of Rain” from July 7, 1989 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, “China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider” from July 6, 1990, “Morning Dew” from October 18, 1974, “Sugar Magnolia,” “Scarlet Begonias” and “Fire On The Mountain” from December 31, 1978, “Reuben & Cherise” from June 6, 1991, “Estimated Prophet” from July 8, 1990 and “Wang Dang Doodle” from June 14, 1991.

Watch “Blow Away” from July 16, 1990 below: