That intensity would rear its head several times throughout that show, and the results left an audible impact on the recordings, most of which stem from an FM broadcast that the band administered themselves, a frequent tactic they employed on the 1995 tour dubbed “Monkeywrench Radio.” That guitar wouldn’t survive the end of this show, a result of Vedder destroying it mid-set across his mic stand in the midst of another high-intensity freakout. This was one that got a special designation, a cover that represented the height of my photoshop powers at the time, a mashing of a rough typewriter font with an era-appropriate photo of Vedder and his “SKATEBOARDING IS NOT A CRIME” bumper sticker tattooed across the pickguard of a worn black telecaster.
Simple, white, Helvetica font, the picture of efficiency.Įxcept for this show. Before I moved over to a binder to handle the sheer heft of that many CD-Rs, I was in the habit of printing purposefully minimalistic cover art for each show, detailing the venue, city and date on the front with the setlist on the back for the two- and three-CD jewel cases. This show was always something of a beacon in a collection that has more Pearl Jam recordings than should be considered healthy. And that night, Pearl Jam played their longest show to date, a raging evening where the only goal, it seemed was “to play as long as they do.” And from “Release” until the closing “Yellow Ledbetter” nearly three hours later, Pearl Jam delivered what should rank among their finest nights as a band. The Dead left their stage behind that night as they packed up and moved on, a favor to a band who, because of venue cancellations, were forced to move their show to the uncomfortable confines of a football stadium. It’s particularly palpable during “So Many Roads,” where Garcia was struggling to reach some notes but straining so much as to be unloading everything that was left within him. There are recordings of it that have traded hands via cassette and CD-R and now on the internet, and what’s preserved is a stirring, albeit uneven, Jerry Garcia giving it his all on the final night of their summer tour. On July 9, 1995, the Grateful Dead played what would be their final show at Soldier Field.
BOOTLEGGING Pearl Jam left everything on the Dead's stage at Soldier FieldĮditor’s note: This is the first in a series that is intended to shine a light on some loved recordings that are readily available, if not necessarily for sale.