GD60 Recap: A Weekend to Remember Forever
Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco | August 1-3rd, 2025
I’m still buzzing. GD60 was one of the most unforgettable weekends of my life — the music, the community, the energy — it was all magic. My heart is so full.
Golden Gate Park: A Historic First
Dead & Company had never played Golden Gate Park before, and this landmark moment — right in the Dead’s hometown — felt sacred. I feel beyond lucky to have been there, surrounded by fellow fans, friends, and family, living this piece of history together.
A BIG shout out to the City of San Francisco and Golden Gate Park for hosting us and this amazing event. Also to my beautiful Deadhead family for capturing and sharing these amazing pics – thank you
The Music
Friday: Jerry’s Spirit Was Everywhere
The weekend began on what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday. You could feel the love in the air.
Trixie Garcia introduced Billy Strings, who opened with pure gospel soul. You could feel Jerry’s presence from the very first note.
Later, Grahame Lesh — Phil’s son — delivered an emotional performance of Box of Rain on Phil’s “Big Brown Bass.”
Then came Wharf Rat — hands down the high point of the night for me. John Mayer and Billy Strings shared a stunning guitar duo, with Bobby joining in. Possibly the best version I’ve ever heard.
The encore? Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door, with images of Jerry on the venue screens. I cried. Jerry has shaped so much of who I am, and that moment hit me hard.
Saturday: The Bear Pack Came Out to Play
We brought the bears; the band brought Sturgill Simpson. Saturday’s setlist was a time capsule to longtime fans — Jack Straw, Bertha, Passenger — all classics.
Grahame returned for St. Stephen and Cumberland Blues. Bobby’s Days Between tribute to Jerry was soul-stirring — one of the last ballads Garcia and Hunter wrote before Jerry passed in ’95.
My moment of the night? Morning Dew, with Simpson on lead vocals. Chills. The band closed with Brokedown Palace — a true bucket list song for me. It was beautiful.
During set break, interviews with Bobby, Mickey, Billy K, and archived clips of Jerry, Phil, Brett, Pigpen & Bill Walton aired. Bobby’s was classic, he said:
“I’ve got 10 more years in me. I’ve got nothing else to do.” -Bobby Weir
Let’s all manifest GD70, please.
Sunday: Touching the Sky
Trey Anastasio Band opened the day and absolutely brought it — their horn section and backup singers were fire.
Dead & Co kicked off with Good Times, and it was. Trey performed “Mission in the Rain” a very special song about Jerry and Mission Street. Trey also joined for Fire on the Mountain, which featured the now-legendary Mickey Rap.
Grahame Lesh returned for Broken Arrow, again on his dad’s bass. At one point, Bobby dropped his guitar pick, and John bent down, picked it up, and handed it to him. That little gesture — ten years of friendship and respect all in one moment.
Bobby’s Standing on the Moon was breathtaking. As he sang “A lovely view of Heaven, but I’d rather be with you,” his voice cracked. I’m pretty sure he was thinking about Jerry — I know I was. I teared up again.
The weekend ended with Touch of Grey. The perfect send-off. I could almost feel Jerry smiling down on us.
The People
There is truly no place else I’d rather be than at a Dead show with this community.
Yes, the crowds were huge, but the vibes were golden. We locked in our spot in the pit every night, around 15–20 rows back. It was a team effort, and I’m grateful and thankful to everyone who contributed — waking up early, braving the cold, standing in line for hours. That’s what family does. We show up for each other.
The love, the unity, the shared joy — it was the magic that makes the Dead family what it is. My heart is overflowing.
Let’s Keep the Love Going
I’ll be posting photos all week long. If you were there — please share your favorite moments with me. Let’s keep celebrating this unforgettable weekend together.
Here’s what’s coming up:
In theaters:
The extended version of The Grateful Dead Movie is screening in select cities →
Find showtimes near you
Mickey Hart’s exhibit:
Art at the Edge of Magic at Haight Street Art Center runs through September 21, it is super cool and worth checking out →
www.haightstreetart.org
Add to your collection:
Browse some great Jerry, Dead, Billy, Sturgill and Trey picks on Amazon:
→Shop Billy Strings Live Vol 1 & Highway Prayers CD Set
→Shop Trey Anastasio Burn it Down Orange Vinyl
→Shop Trey Anastasio Canvas Art Print
→Shop Sturgill Simpson Metamodern Sounds CD/Vinyl
→Shop Sturgill Simpson 5″ Sticker
→Shop Sturgill Simpson T-Shirt
→Shop Here beside the rising Tide – Book about Jerry
→Shop Garcia – (Hardcover) An American Life Book
→Shop JGB 1990 Hawaii Tour T-Shirt
→Shop Grateful Dead Jim Marshall Book
→Shop Blues for Allah – 50th Anniversary CD/Vinyl
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and love.
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Coming Next Week
Next week I’ll be writing about Ozzy Osbourne — and how the “Prince of Darkness Brought Light Into My Life” — I’ll also be sharing some upcoming OneLove festival recommendations you won’t want to miss.
Stay tuned and stay forever grateful until our next strange trip friends!
-Pink Bear
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