Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-08-18
Dead Drops Tuesday visits The Spectrum for the first time, and what better year than 1987? Jerry is back, “Touch of Grey” is everywhere, and the band arrives in Philadelphia to close an incredible Fall Tour out East.
“September 22 starts with Brent firing up ‘Hey Pocky Way,’ a beautiful ‘Althea’ and ‘Cassidy’ > ‘Deal’ highlights the first set. The second set delivers a Spencer Davis sit-in, ‘China’ > ‘Rider,’ a huge ‘Terrapin,’ then ‘Two Soldiers Jam’ leads to ‘Playin’ tease > ‘The Wheel’ > ‘Truckin’’ > ‘Stella Blue.’ ‘Sugar Magnolia’ rocks the Spectrum before Jerry closes with ‘Baby Blue.’
“September 23 comes roaring out with ‘Stranger’ > ‘Franklin’s’ for the home of Ben Franklin, ‘Desolation Row’ and ‘Music Never Stopped’ highlight the first set before ‘Bertha’ > ‘Cumberland’ > ‘Playing’ > ‘Uncle John’s’ gets the second rolling. Out of ‘Drums’ > ‘Space,’ Brent shines on ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy,’ and the party erupts with ‘Around & Around’ > ‘Good Lovin’’ > ‘La Bamba’ > ‘Good Lovin’.’ ‘U.S. Blues’ sends Philadelphia home.
“With the Philly faithful roaring back, the remarkable Fall ’87 delivers to a crowd primed for one more. Enjoy!” - Martin Knott
Curated by David Lemieux and mastered from the original Grateful Dead cassettes, both shows are now available to stream in Hi-Res, and only on Play Dead.
9/22/87 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
SET I:
Hey Pocky Way, Althea, Little Red Rooster, When Push Comes To Shove, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Ramble On Rose, Cassidy > Deal
SET II:
Gimme Some Lovin’*, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider > Samson & Delilah > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > Two Soldiers Jam > The Wheel > Truckin’ > Stella Blue > Sugar Magnolia
ENCORE:
It’s All Over Now Baby Blue
* with Spencer Davis
9/23/87 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
SET I:
Feel Like A Stranger > Franklin’s Tower, Walkin’ Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Tons Of Steel, Desolation Row, Big Railroad Blues, The Music Never Stopped
SET II:
Bertha > Cumberland Blues > Playin’ In The Band > Uncle John’s Band > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Around & Around > Good Lovin’ > La Bamba > Good Lovin’
ENCORE:
U.S. Blues
