Grateful Dead Delivers Memorable ‘Dark Star,’ ‘NFA’ & More At Fillmore East In 1970

Performing the third show of a four-night stand at the Fillmore East in New York City, the Grateful Dead played one of the most memorable renditions of “Dark Star” on this date 46 years ago. The legendary band’s performance on September 19, 1970 is noteworthy not only for the standout delivery of the beloved jam vehicle but also the remarkable versions of a pair of often played covers that followed.

The Bill Graham-promoted concert began with an acoustic Grateful Dead first set that saw Jerry Garcia play keys on “To Lay Me Down” and David Nelson of The New Riders Of The Purple Sage sitting-in on “Rosalee McFall” and the set closing “Cold Jordan” > “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” with fellow New Rider John Dawson also joining in. The stage was then turned over to the NRPS for a performance ahead of an electric second set played by the Dead.

A psychedelic explosion of sound erupted during the 25+ minute “Dark Star” that twisted and turned through segments of deep group improvisation touching on various melodic passages and landing on a typical-for-the-time jam on Simon & Garfunkel’s “Feelin’ Groovy.” Out of “Dark Star” came a straightforward take on “St. Stephen” before they dove into and stretched out “Not Fade Away.” Not known as a common source of jams, the Buddy Holly cover performance from 46 years ago lasted over nine minutes, incorporating themes of The Youngbloods’ “Darkness, Darkness” and “China Cat Sunflower” into the improvisation.

Ron “Pigpen” McKernan took the spotlight on the subsequent “Turn On Your Lovelight” that developed out of the end of “NFA.” Inciting attentive call-and-response from the audience, Pigpen worked the crowd, getting them involved as the song ebbs and flows through tension building and release. The wild night ended with “Lovelight” as bassist Phil Lesh and Pigpen returned to the stage to address the audience as The Youngbloods’ “Get Together” played over the PA, informing the crowd that Garcia had cramps in his hand and Bob Weir had lost his voice and they should “go home and fuck somebody.”

The “Dark Star” through “Lovelight” portion of the show can be streamed in below featuring a matrix of soundboard and audience sources transferred by Chris Chappell, listen here:

Setlist (via JerryGarcia.com)

Set One: Don’t Ease Me In, Candyman, Silver Threads And Golden Needles, Friend Of The Devil, Deep Elem Blues*, The Rub, Rosalee McFall*, Cumberland Blues, New Speedway Boogie, To Lay Me Down, Cold Jordan** > Swing Low (Sweet Chariot)**

Set Two: Morning Dew, Me And My Uncle, Good Morning Little School Girl, Cold Rain And Snow, Easy Wind, Sugar Magnolia, Dark Star > Saint Stephen > Not Fade Away > Turn On Your Lovelight

Notes:

• Jerry plays piano on “To Lay Me Down”
• * w/ David Nelson
• ** w/ John Dawson and David Nelson