*Update 3/23 2:30PM PST*
Bill Walton’s Official Twitter page:
https://twitter.com/BillWalton/status/580117293117493248
Is the Dead’s 50th Anniversary Celebration getting some much needed West Coast love? A few weeks ago The Chicago Tribune interviewed promoter Peter Shaprio who said “There’s no extra dates planned. For Chicago or anywhere else” but that’s apparently all changed in a very short period of time. Chatter from fans began in the morning and now Billboard has jumped on board and cites their own sources adding that the venue could be the 68,500 capacity Levi’s Stadium or San Francisco’s AT&T Park. Fans have been wondering how California, especially the Bay area that was the home to The Grateful Dead could be overlooked on the 50th Anniversary year. It looks like they may have an answer. No matter what if this event is planned with the four core members playing together it will send a shock throughout the community especially those who cleared their calendars and their wallets for the July 4th weekend in Chicago. If the event does come to fruition it will be interesting to see if Phish’s Trey Anastasio will take part or will they ask another guitarist like Warren Haynes or Steve Kimock?
*UPDATE 3/13 9:25pm PST*
On Friday evening rumors began to swirl that the West Coast event may feature an entirely different roster of musicians than Chicago and will not include Phil Lesh. The list of potentials include Mike Gordon, Steve Kimock and John Mayer. John Mayer and Bob Weir just recently played together on The Late Show with David Letterman so there is already an established relationship. Will Phil Lesh stick to his guns and not play an event with the core four besides Chicago? We’ll have more as it develops.
