The eyes of the world

Hypnotica Studios Infinite from Toms River, New Jersey, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It was a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago. On December 4, 1965, the Grateful Dead's first gig playin' in the band as the Dead took place in a large house that once stood on the current footprint of San Jose City Hall. On December 4, 2025, a commemorative plaque will be placed to mark this legendary site. Public welcome; rings on your fingers and bells on your shoes appreciated. Thanks to SJRocks.org.

The event is officially on! San Jose officials have greenlit this milestone celebration, and we’re inviting everyone to be part of it—whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or a local history buff. While we continue raising funds to add even more fun and festivity to the celebration, the ceremony is confirmed and we can’t wait to see you there.

This plaque will permanently denote the location where Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Bill Kreutzmann played their first musical notes as the Grateful Dead—after ending their stint as The Warlocks and adopting the band name that would become globally famous.

Read the whole thing here.

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