WAVE THAT FLAG

remaining GRATEFUL DEAD ROCK FOR OBAMA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Tie-dyed T-shirts and political slogans made for a heady mixture as the four surviving members of the rock band GRATEFUL DEAD put on a concert in support of BARACK OBAMA.

Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart hit a Penn State University stage Monday night to play for about 15,000 people.

It was the quartet’s first show together since a 2004 reunion tour. Hart, Weir and Lesh had already jammed together in support of Obama in February in California.

Before his set Monday, Hart said in an interview backstage that he was most impressed with Obama’s views on climate change.

“I believe him enough to be able to get up in front of my constituency, these people out there,” Hart said, pointing out the door to his dressing room, “and tell them ‘I believe.’ That’s really important. The Grateful Dead does not take this lightly. We’ve never really done something quite like this.”

Andrea Mead, spokeswoman for the Obama campaign in Pennsylvania, said Monday night the main goal was to stir up voter outreach efforts in a critical battleground state.

After Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band opened the show, Obama supporters including Penn State assistant football coach Jay Paterno and cornerback Lydell Sargeant took to the stage to endorse him. A taped video message from Obama himself also was projected on a scoreboard.

Then it was on to the main attraction as the lights dimmed and the Dead opened with their classic, “Truckin.”’ Minutes later, fans were tipping balloons in the air and the arena floor filled with an earthy aroma.

The Dead officially dropped “Grateful” from its name to honor the memory of its lead singer, Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995. Mead said the Dead approached the campaign earlier this year offering help in a battleground state with a large fan base.
THE DEAD 10.13.08 Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
Truckin' > U.S. Blues, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower Playing In The Band > Dark Star > St. Stephen > Unbroken Chain > The Other One > Throwing Stones > Playing Reprise
E: Phil Donor Phil Rap > Bobby Rap > Touch of Grey > Not Fade Away

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND 10.13.08 Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
Revival, Statesboro Blues, Who's Been Talking, Midnight Rider, One Way Out, And It Stoned Me, Dreams (w/ Ron Holloway, sax), Don't Think Twice (w/ Susan Tedeschi, guitar & vocals; Ron Holloway, sax; James van der Bogert, drums) Anyday (w/ Susan Tedeschi & Oteil, vocals), Melissa, Trouble No More, Ain't Wastin' Time No More, Jessica
E: Whipping Post