Watch Bob Weir Join Joe Russo’s Almost Dead’s 10th Anniversary Concert

Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir helped Joe Russo’s Almost Dead celebrate their 10th anniversary last night at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City. The concert took place at the same venue where JRAD played their first show 10 years to the day prior and also featured a guest appearance from frequent collaborator Stuart Bogie, a fitting jam on Led Zeppelin’s “Ten Years Gone,” heartfelt speech from drummer and namesake Joe Russo and other highlights.

Weir emerged towards the end of Thursday’s first set to a huge roar from the capacity crowd. Russo and bandmates guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton, bassist Dave Dreiwitz and keyboardist Marco Benevento had just started “Jack Straw” after opening the evening with “Tennessee Jed” and “Till The Morning Comes” when Bobby joined the fray. Hamilton handled the parts originally sung by Jerry Garcia in dueting with Weir on “Jack Straw.”

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead built “Jack Straw” to a strong peak via an emotion-laden solo from Tom Hamiton ahead of a return to the lyrics. Hamilton then let it rip once more as Weir found the perfect spots to weave in his rhythmic work. Bobby stuck around for the ensuing “The Music Never Stopped.” Metzger, who usually sings Weir songs in JRAD, starred in the “Music Never Stopped” jam with an authoritative solo and call-and-response with Hamilton.

Weir had previously teamed with JRAD at Oakland's Fox Theater in 2016, at the 2017 LOCKN' festival and at the 2019 LOCKN' festival. The latter was a literal sit-in as Bobby appeared while sitting on a couch.

Check out Bobby’s performances with JRAD from last night via video captured by Monica Hampton below:

JRAD went sans Bobby to end last night’s first set with a 25-minute “Let It Grow” helmed by Scott Metzger. The five-piece returned to get their second set at Brooklyn Bowl underway with extended versions of “Shakedown Street,” “Truckin'” and “Viola Lee Blues.” Hamilton was then featured on an “Althea” featuring the aforementioned “Ten Years Gone” interlude. Next, Stuart Bogie came out to add saxophone to a wild “The Other One” including a bit of “How Many More Times,” a spacey take on Pink Floyd’s “Breathe” and set-closing “Terrapin Station.”

Joe Russo took a few minutes to address the crowd at the start of the encore. “Two weeks ago today 10 years ago was people trying to convince me to play Grateful Dead songs with these guys at a party at the Freaks Ball. I thought it was a terrible idea,” Russo quipped. “Aaron Stein and Pete Costello said ‘just take [Led Zeppelin tribute act] Bustle and play Grateful Dead.’ That’s now how it works!”

Russo explained Tommy was the only one besides him who knew the songs. “We came up with a dumb name and here we are,” Russo added before thanking everyone who made JRAD’s first ten years possible. The band punctuated the evening by covering Bob Dylan’s “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” as their encore.

Stream an audience recording taped by Jeff Travitz below:

Setlist

Set One: Jam > Tennessee Jed > Till The Morning Comes > Jack Straw* > The Music Never Stopped*, Let It Grow

Set Two: Shakedown Street > Truckin’ > Viola Lee Blues > Althea** > The Other One^ > Breathe^ > Terrapin Station^

Encore: Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

• * – with Bob Weir on guitar and vocals
• ** – with “Ten Years Gone” interlude
• ^ – with Stuart Bogie on saxophone