Tom Constanten’s Final Grateful Dead Show In 1970

Former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten made his final appearance as an official member of the band on this date in 1970. The now infamous night is notorious for not only being the TC’s last gig, but it was also the night the band was arrested in New Orleans following their show at The Warehouse – the events of which would be retold as part of the “busted down on Bourbon Street” lyrics in “Truckin.’”

Constanten first worked with the Dead on their 1968 album Anthem Of The Sun and became a full-time member of the group that year. He was brought on in part to help the ailing Ron “Pigpen” McKernan with whom he befriended and shared keyboard duties. TC and Pigpen escaped arrest on January 30, 1970, but the former was not around for the performance at the same venue the following evening having decided to amicably part ways with the band.

Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead, TC remains as active as ever, including touring with Jazz Is Dead last year. More on what he’s been up to and his thoughts on his long career can be read in his recent Art Of The Sit-In interview.

Though he’s low in the mix, give a listen to TC’s final show with the Dead from 46 years ago today below:

[Hat Tip – Heads News]