Grateful Dead Unveils 'Viola Lee Blues' from Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (7/3/66) Live Album
Grateful Dead is giving fans a taste of their upcoming live album, Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (7/3/66). The band has just unveiled a rendition of the song "Viola Lee Blues" from their 1967 self-titled debut album. This follows the release of "Cold Rain and Snow" from the same concert. According to Dead archivist David Lemieux, "Viola Lee Blues" was a key jamming track for the band, known for its psychedelic peaks during live performances.
The Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (7/3/66) album will be available digitally and as a two-CD set on July 3, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the concert. This show took place shortly after the band changed their name from the Warlocks. Additionally, a limited edition three-LP vinyl set, with only 6,600 copies, will be released exclusively on Dead.net, marking the first time this performance is available on vinyl.
The Fillmore concert was part of Bill Graham's Independence Ball and featured the lineup of Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, and Bob Weir. Previously included in the 50th-anniversary boxed set, 30 Trips Around the Sun, this release offers fans a chance to experience the band's early live performances in a new format.
In conclusion, Grateful Dead fans can look forward to the upcoming release of Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, CA (7/3/66), which captures the band's iconic performance from 1966. With tracks like "Viola Lee Blues" showcasing the band's improvisational prowess, this album is a must-have for any Deadhead.