Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead Acoustic Performance of 'Dire Wolf' and 'Deep Elem Blues' on The Tomorrow Show
In May 1981, during the broadcast of their performance on Tom Snyder's "The Tomorrow Show," the Grateful Dead were coming off a period of significant activity and transformation. Their prior studio album, "Go to Heaven," was released in April 1980 and marked a transition, incorporating a more polished sound compared to their earlier work. By this time in their career, they were well-established in the music scene, renowned for their improvisational skills and extensive live performances. The acoustic segment featured in the video showcases their versatility, highlighting a stripped-down version of their sound, which resonated with the bohemian and countercultural ethos they were associated with. Notably, the presence of writer Ken Kesey during the interview segment underscores the band's connections to the 1960s counterculture, further emphasizing their influence and legacy in the American music landscape.