Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, CA (12/30-31/82)

Ahh, New Years!! I had always wanted to see a New Year's show, and the circumstances leading up to these shows were part of the adventure. I sailed up the coast from San Diego to Moss Landing on the Merlin still the Trans-Pac record-holder from 1977. They had just finished a race down to Mexico, and needed some people to make the return delivery trip. So, it was Ernie, Bryan & Lois, Don, and I can't remember who else. We were very lucky to get good weather and wind for this journey, as this was a very stormy winter, but not for these few days. Even with the working sails, we were able to make speeds up to 14 knots.

After that journey, my crew-mates rented a car and drove south after dropping me off to catch a BART to Wheelo's house in Piedmont. When I got to Wheelo's, he asked me if I was interested in skiing for the day. Why not? I had plenty of warm clothes from the boat trip, so we headed up to Sugar Bowl for the day. The skiing was a nice start to the long day. As we were leaving, Wheelo realized that he lost his keys while skiing. We had to call a locksmith and barely made it back for the show. We just made it as they were playing Alabama Getaway

For New Year's Eve, Wheelo didn't plan on going, but I wanted to, even though I didn't have a ticket. He dropped me off with my I Need A Miracle sign and I waited. Eventually, a guy from Bill Graham Productions came up to me and said he could sell me a ticket.
"How much?"
"What do you have?"
For $30, I was in there. After I was inside, I saw a big mob try and rush the doors, but were repelled by the cops. I felt lucky, and enjoyed the new year festivities. I had a great view as I was able to climb on a video platform and see over the crowd. As we left around 3AM, they gave us a nice little bagged breakfast. It was a nice way to end 1982, my biggest Dead-Head year.


12/30/82

Alabama Getaway
Promised Land
Loser
Little Red Rooster
Big Railroad Blues
Feel Like a Stranger
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Music Never Stopped
Don't Ease Me In

Touch of Grey
Throwin' Stones
Franklin's Tower
Lost Sailor
Saint of Circumstance
He's Gone
drums
Truckin'
Stella Blue
Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad
Johnny B. Goode

Hard to Handle
Tell Mama


12/31/82 --> 1/1/83

Cold Rain and Snow C.C. Rider Cumberland Blues Far From Me Cassidy Ramble on Rose Looks Like Rain Day Job (Happy New Year) Sugar Magnolia Sugaree Man Smart/Woman Smarter Ship of Fools Playin' in the Band drums Not Fade Away Deal Sunshine Daydream Turn on Your Love Light Tell Mama Baby What You Want Me to Do Hard to Handle Midnight Hour Brokedown Palace