This was a landmark show for me for many reasons. Touted as the highest Dead show ever, it was nice to be backstage. 139 years prior, my forebears spent the winter nearby in what is known as the Donner Party. Patrick Breen Jr is my second great grandfather; his father kept the now famous diary.

We drove up from SF to Truckee, staying at Nurse Barbie's which was quite the social gathering in and of itself.

I came back to this location (roughly) 11 years later in 1996 to deliver the key note speech to the crowd gathered for the Donner Party's sesquicentennial, reading the lyrics to Big Head Todd's Monument in Green.

As for the show, I have fond memories. There were technical difficulties and it was bloody hot. But I'm glad I was there among so many friends.

I drove up the mountain and camped on the back side, bedded down at dark - probably 10. Woke to all the travelers everywhere who had drove through the night to get there from the desert. The local store was foraged over and empty. It was a rushed show at a high altitude in the brutal heat. Friend of the Devil was magic and I stayed the night in Reno. The attitude of the crowd was great, fun show.

30 years ago today. Not every Dead show was a bowl of cherries. I dig this shows Minglewood, FOTD, West L.A. and Stranger. Any show with Jerry and Brent is good enough for me.

Yeah it was a weird couple of days... Most of the local shops restaurants ran out of food/supplies by the day of the show. A buddy of mine were low on funds and eating at a local place, the coolest waitperson gave us a huge plate of fries to share. Never forget that...
Yeah Bobby was kicking the heck out of his amp... What was more impressive though, he was wearing a super thin set of sneakers, dang tuff feat from all that running I guess!!
It was a hot weird day, so-so show but nothing but good memories for me!!

I had a ticket for this show. Decided on not going, cuz I had transportation issues. After reading accounts of this show, glad I didn't. Therefore, as a result of my accidnental intuition, I hereby give myself 5 stars!

Wow...that Day Tripper performance is something else. I don't think I've ever heard them sound more out of steam and out of sync with each other than that performance. What's going on with the drums?! Sounds like they couldn't get out of that rolling loops :(

This show was terrible. The sound from the tapes don't tell the true story. It was blazing hot. About 98℉. Dusty and the sound system never got 'dialed in'. Bobby kicked his amp so hard it flew across the stage! Show started in the middle of the afternoon and was finished before darkness set in. Just a weird day all around.

Good show. Nice sound.

The person usuing the screen name Charlie Miller is not the same C Miller that remasters these shows. His screen name is skb archives because he is the archivist for The Steve Kimmock Band.

mixed well, always a fan of Alabama Getaway as a opener
typical 85 sound band is fast, jerr is slow.

lacks JG's engery

the he's gone >>truckin' says it all...they were off this night, even if there were a few bright moments, they can't save this stinker...

i'm off to some '68 land now...

I wasnt there, I saw Alpine through Ventura, but I always thought this show got a bad rap. Is it the Fix or Greek or second night Richmond or 4.7? No. Worst show ever? No. I thought 4.6 first night Philly was worse. I know a couple of people who went and anything negative I heard from them was more about the venue, not the show itself, i.e. the dust, the traffic, one road, etc. Which were perhaps valid since everyone said the same thing and the band never went back.

A must-stream from a great, well-played and consistent ytear. Thanks to Charlkie for his fantastic ear and efforts, all us mid-'80's Heads appreciate it very much.

Charlie beat me to the punch...I have heard those same words about this show. I have been pumping this particular Stranger->China-> Rider through my speakers since I was like 16 or 17 years old-so soooo wish I was on a ski lift in the middle of the summer up to Grateful Dead peak in the summer of '85. My experience has always been a low gen. audience-as ALWAYS I am very very psyched to have a Miller delivery of another solid board!

I don't know why anyone would call this the worst show ever. It's a good show.