Courtesy of The Grateful DeadThe surviving Grateful Dead members have confirmed a rumored plan to play a pair of concerts in Santa Clara, California, prior to their three previously announced "Fare Thee Well" shows at Chicago's Soldier Field on July 3, 4 and 5. The newly announced performances will take place on June 27 and 28 at Levi's Stadium.
As with the Chicago shows, the California concerts will feature Grateful Dead singer/guitarist Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart performing with Phish's Trey Anastasio, one-time Dead keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and Rat Dog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.
Ticket requests for the Santa Clara shows are being accepted now through Tuesday, April 14, at 11:59 p.m. ET at Dead50.net.
Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann and Hart have issued a lengthy joint statement to fans in which they discuss a number of topics, including why they decided to schedule the new concerts in their hometown Bay Area.
"Since we made the decision to go back to Chicago to say our final goodbye," the band members write, "it has become clear to us that we first need to return to our beginnings, where we first said hello -- to each other and to all of you…And so it is that we have decided to plug in for two additional shows…in Santa Clara."
The message also states the band "will not be adding any more Fare Thee Well performances. The three Chicago shows will still be our final stand." The Dead members also explain that they have set up an online mail order system for tickets that they hope will minimize the amount of scalping with regard to the Santa Clara shows.
In closing, the Dead band mates note, "We love you guys more than words can tell, and hope to see you in the Bay Area or Chicago. They add, "If you can't make it to the shows, we are working on ways for you to still experience our Fare Thee Well, from wherever you might be."
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