Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-05-07
Photo: Courtesy of Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame / Rhino Records
Fifty years ago, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Keith Godchaux, and Donna Jean Godchaux took the stage at the Boston Music Hall — today’s Boch Center Wang Theatre — and delivered a performance that has lived in the hearts and ears of Deadheads ever since. Now, exactly 50 years later, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame and Rhino Records are honoring that legendary night with Shakedown at Boston Music Hall: Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary Celebration 6/11/76 - 6/11/26 inside the grand lobby of that same historic theatre.
The June 11 celebration will feature a live performance by Playing Dead, Grateful Dead-themed food and beverages, exclusive merchandise opportunities, and much more. Tickets are on sale now at FolkAmericanaRootsHallofFame.org.
The original 6/11/76 concert marked the fifth show of the Grateful Dead’s celebrated comeback tour and showcased fresh arrangements of many early-era classics. Grateful Dead archivist and historian David Lemieux once said of the performance, “The perfection they achieved on this tour is on full display on June 11, 1976, in Boston.”
Playing Dead will recreate the spirit of that historic night by performing the Grateful Dead’s second set from the show, featuring classics including “Sugar Magnolia,” “St. Stephen,” “Stella Blue,” and more. The tribute band includes former members of Dark Star Orchestra, Slipknot!, and Uncle John’s Band, and is known for marathon sets that dive deep into the entire Grateful Dead catalog.
“The Dead played here more than a dozen times, but this show, 50 years ago, stands out as one of the absolute highlights of the Wang Theatre’s 100-year history,” said Casey Soward, President and CEO of the Boch Center. “We have hosted some incredible acts from Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith to Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga, and the Dead show remains an all-time fan favorite. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this historic theatre in partnership with Rhino Records as we pay homage to one of the greatest shows in the Dead’s extensive catalog.”
The evening will also include special offerings from Rhino Records, which recently reissued the complete 6/11/76 performance as a special 5LP Record Store Day release. Fans can enjoy Dogfish Head Brewery’s Grateful Dead Citrus Daydream and Juicy Pale Ale on tap alongside Dead-themed food and commemorative merchandise, including a special event poster.
The David Bieber Archives will curate a special exhibit exploring the Grateful Dead’s rich history in Boston, adding another layer of historical significance to the celebration.
The event takes place inside the Boch Center Wang Theatre Grand Lobby at 270 Tremont Street in Boston. A limited number of tickets are currently available, including VIP packages offering early access, backstage tours of the theatre, photo opportunities, and commemorative lanyards.
The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame — often referred to as FARHOF — is a cultural and educational initiative housed within the historic Wang Theatre, which itself celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Curated in partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music, FARHOF honors the legacies and future of Folk, Americana, and Roots music through exhibits, artifacts, educational programming, and live events.
Recent FARHOF exhibits have included This Wheel’s Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm, Joan Baez: A Life of Music, Art, and Activism, Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon, Arlo Guthrie: Native Son, and The Wang Theatre: A Century of Great Music, among many others.
For updates, information on tours, upcoming events, and exhibits, visit www.FARHOF.org.
