All the talk surrounding the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" concerts in hometown Santa Clara was the rainbow that appeared vividly over Levi Stadium over the weekend. Many suggested that the weather event was more than coincidental, and that perhaps the high price of tickets to the show was used to create a miraculous special effect. Music Times reported on the event this week and suggested that perhaps the band would play alongside a hologram of deceased founding guitarist Jerry Garcia when the concert series moves to Chicago this weekend. Trixie Garcia, his daughter, told Billboard this week that the idea was, in fact, considered.
"We came very close to making the Jerry hologram," Garcia said. "I met with people and was very interested in trying to make the Jerry hologram where he appears for a couple seconds-like a rainbow...It just didn't work out. It was too much."
Apparently the idea was considered a little too late, not allowing enough time for the creation of such a hologram. The licensure required to use the hologram for more than one show also became cost-prohibitive.
So should we expect anything "special" from the trio of concerts scheduled to take place this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago. You know...more special than the remaining members of the Grateful Dead coming together to play three sold-out shows at a football stadium?
Apparently not. She did offer some advice to Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio—who's appearing in place of her father—for the performances. She agreed with general consensus that he seemed a little held-back during the Santa Clara shows...not that she blames him. Her father is the most legendary performer in jam-band history (expect maybe Duane Allman) so he had a lot to live up to. She encouraged Anastasio to go ahead and "start being a little pushier" with his playing.
The concerts will be broadcast on HBO and SiriusXM this weekend.
