2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Grateful Dead and the band’s surviving members plan to mark the occasion by reuniting for a trio of shows at Chicago’s Soldier Field in July.
Taking place July 3rd – 5th, the shows will come nearly 20 years to the date of the band’s final performance with late singer Jerry Garcia, which also occurred at Soldier Field. In place of Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann have enlisted Phish frontman Trey Anastasio to lead the band. They’ll also be accompanied on piano by Bruce Hornsby.
(Read: Taping the Dead: The Origins of Live Recording Legend David Lemieux)
The Dead reportedly had several other opportunities on the table, including a $3 million offer from Bonnaroo to headline this year’s festival, but ultimately opted for the Chicago shows. The band says it’s unlikely they’ll embark on a tour: According to Weir, “These will be the last shows with the four of us together.”
A fan-club ticket pre-sale will take place February 12th and 13th with a public on-sale following on the 14th.
Below, watch footage of Grateful Dead performing at Soldier Field in 1995.
