In message , bob_jacob...@comcast.net writes
Any thoughts on this poster?
<http://uptownhistory.compassrose.org/2008/04/grateful-dead-at-aragon-ba
llroom.html>
Although the Dead never played the Aragon, the likeliest year, from the
tour schedule, artist, and supporting acts has got to place this as
1969,
The Art Of Rock book dates this as 1970.
From most information I can find, Rare Bird (assuming it to be the band
of "Sympathy" fame) formed in October 1969 and issued their debut album
the following month.
If it is from 1970, then it would be a show cancelled because of the
Festival Express tour.
Is it perhaps my imagination, or do I remember hearing that the Festival
Express (or at least the Dead's participation in it) was relatively last
minute, and caused them to cancel a couple of shows already arranged?
but it appears the Dead were at Reed's Ranch in Colorado Springs,
CO on July 3rd.
Wikipedia says the Aragon was hosting shows in 1969 -
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragon_Ballroom_%28Chicago%29>
Interestingly the venue's own "about - history" page (directly at
http://198.66.140.20/freedomweb/index.php?src=gendocs&link=aragon_history
or indirectly at www.aragon.com then click on About then scroll down and
click on "read more" at the end of the "Aragon history" parag) says that
"In 1970, promoter Michael Butler of American Tribal Productions, the
creator of the theatrical production "Hair", introduced "monster" rock
concerts to the Aragon. They were more like marathons lasting six or
seven hours, sometimes until 3:00 am. Top name rock performers such as
the Grateful Dead, Joe Crocker, Sha-Na-Na, B.B. King, the Bryds, Jethro
Tull, Steppen Wolf and many others appeared." - sounds like somebody saw
the poster or something in their archives and didn't know the whole
story...
There's also a comment at the end of the deadlists entry for 7/3/70
saying that "Dwight Holmes reports that he waited in line for a show at
the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago on 7/5/70, where it was announced around
5:00 PM that the Dead had cancelled."
Is it possible the show was scheduled and canceled?
Looks like it.
Jelly.
--
Adrian Johnson
