Watch Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir Teach Carlos Santana ‘Stella Blue’ Chords Onstage In 1993

Bay Area rock legends Grateful Dead and guitarist Carlos Santana joined forces onstage for the last time 30 years ago today. Santana sat-in with the band for the back half of their second set and encore at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland including a memorable version of “Stella Blue.”

The concert on January 26, 1993 ended a three-night run at the venue and came on Chinese New Year’s. A parade of dragon structures and flags honoring the occasion was staged during “Drums” with Carlos Santana emerging as “Space” began. The guitarist stuck around for the rest of the night adding to “The Other One,” “Stella Blue,” “Turn On Your Love Light” and the “Gloria” encore.

While Carlos was tight with the Dead through their roots in the San Francisco rock scene and numerous collaborations, Santana was unfamiliar with “Stella Blue.” GD guitarist Bob Weir guided Carlos Santana throughout the performance of the Hunter/Garcia ballad. Weir leaned into Carlos numerous times to fill him in on what to expect. Santana gained his bearings towards the end of “Stella Blue” and unleashed a flurry of potent riffs.

See the full second set from the Dead’s January 26, 1993 show below including Carlos Santana on “Stella Blue” and more:

Setlist (via JerryGarcia.com)

Set One: Picasso Moon, Row Jimmy, Wang Dang Doodle, Brown Eyed Women, Desolation Row, Ramble On Rose > The Promised Land

Set Two: Man Smart (Woman Smarter), Eyes Of The World > Estimated Prophet > Terrapin Station, Jam > Drums* > Space > The Other One^ > Stella Blue^ > Turn On Your Lovelight^

Encore: Gloria^

• * – w/ Dragon Parade
• ^ – w/ Carlos Santana