Hear Grateful Dead’s Previously Unreleased RFK ‘73 ‘Box Of Rain’ Featuring Impassioned Phil Lesh Vocals

The Grateful Dead unveiled “Box Of Rain” audio from their June 10, 1973 concert at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Sung with grace and beauty by bassist Phil Lesh, the track is latest preview of 17-CD boxed set Here Comes Sunshine 1973 as well as the accompanying RFK Stadium, Washington D.C. (6/10/73) collection, which are each due out through Rhino on June 30.

June 10, 1973 was the finale of a two-night stand at the massive stadium the Dead played with The Allman Brothers Band. Official audio from both shows are among the five previously unreleased Spring 1973 concerts that make up Here Comes Sunshine 1973. The huge boxed set also features the Grateful Dead’s shows in Des Moines, Iowa on May 13, 1973; Santa Barbara, California on May 20, 1973 and San Francisco on May 26, 1973.

RFK Stadium, Washington D.C. (6/10/73) arrives as a 4-CD set and digitally on June 30. A limited-edition 8-LP vinyl edition follows on July 28. “The RFK 6/10/73 rendition [of ‘Box Of Rain’] demonstrates Phil’s powerful yet nuanced and sweet vocal treatment of his song that opened the Dead’s American Beauty album in 1970,” explained Grateful Dead archivist and legacy manager, David Lemieux, who produced both upcoming releases. Only four versions would follow before the band shelved Lesh’s signature song for nearly 13 years.

Stream the Grateful Dead’s “Box Of Rain” performance from June 10, 1973 below:

Setlist (via JerryBase.com)

June 10, 1973 @ RFK Stadium, Washington DC

Set One: Morning Dew, Beat It On Down The Line, Ramble On Rose, Jack Straw, Wave That Flag [1], Looks Like Rain, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, The Race Is On, Row Jimmy, El Paso, Bird Song, Playing In The Band

Set Two: Eyes Of The World > Stella Blue, Big River, Here Comes Sunshine, Around And Around, Dark Star [2] > He’s Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin’, Sugar Magnolia

Set Three: It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry [3][4][5], That’s Alright Mama [3][4], Promised Land [4], Not Fade Away [4] > Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad [4] > Drums [4] > Not Fade Away [4], Johnny B. Goode [4]

• [1] Final known performance
• [2] Includes Philo Stomp and Phil 6/8 Time Jazz Jam.
• [3] First known performance (by GD) last known performance 1973-05-30 by JGMS
• [4] with Butch Trucks on drums, Dickey Betts on guitar, and Merl Saunders on organ
• [5] released on Postcards of the Hanging