Tonight on Dead Set Live, we take the long, strange trip back to one of the most celebrated performances in Grateful Dead history — Dick’s Picks Volume 29: Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia – May 19, 1977. This show isn’t just a fan favorite; it’s a masterclass in what made the Dead a transcendent live band. From soulful ballads to sprawling jams, this night in Atlanta was everything a Deadhead could ask for and more.

And don’t forget — tonight’s “Don’s Pick” at 9:00 PM features this very show, so tune in, turn it up, and relive the magic.

🎶 A Night to Remember at the Fox Theatre

A Legendary Night in Atlanta: The Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks Volume 29 (Fox Theatre, May 19, 1977) – Full Setlist & Spotlight on One of the Dead’s Greatest Shows

On May 19, 1977, the Grateful Dead delivered a performance for the ages at the iconic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, and we’re reliving the magic this weekend on Dead Set Live. Captured in Dick’s Picks Volume 29, this show has gone down in Deadhead history as a high-water mark of precision, creativity, and emotional power.

Whether you were spinning it on cassette back in the day or discovering it anew on vinyl or stream, this show still shimmers with that unmistakable Spring ’77 glow. And tonight, it’s Don’s Pick—a full feature on Live Jam Radio at 9 PM EST, bringing the Fox Theatre back to life, one song at a time.

🎭 The Venue: Fox Theatre, Atlanta – A Regal Setting for a Psychedelic Sermon

Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre provided the perfect backdrop for one of the Dead’s most celebrated performances. With its Moorish design, plush interiors, and near-perfect acoustics, the Fox gave the band’s intricate jams and vocal harmonies room to breathe and bloom. Combine that with the electric energy of a Spring ’77 crowd, and you’ve got a show that’s nothing short of legendary.

🎶 Setlist Breakdown: May 19, 1977

Set One Highlights – A Warm Southern Breeze of Americana & Soul

Promised Land (Chuck Berry cover)
A rock ‘n’ roll kickoff that immediately sets the tone. Tight and punchy, with Weir leading the charge.
Sugaree (Jerry Garcia)
Stretching over 10 minutes, this version is dripping with Garcia’s emotive licks and dynamic phrasing—classic slow-burn energy.
El Paso (Marty Robbins cover)
Weir’s cowboy ballad hits with clean harmonies and a storytelling flow. A tour favorite.
Peggy-O (Traditional)
Garcia’s tender vocals make this one shine. Keith Godchaux’s piano work adds extra depth to this traditional folk tune.
Looks Like Rain (Bob Weir)
Atmospheric and heartfelt. Donna Jean’s background vocals and a gentle storm of emotion make this one a sleeper standout.
Row Jimmy
Lazy-river Dead at its finest. Slower tempo, but soulfully rich with layers of melody and warm harmonics.
Passenger
One of the few ‘hard rock’ moments of the night. Short, sharp, and thunderous.
Loser (Jerry Garcia)
One of Garcia’s most poignant storytelling songs—dark and brooding but beautifully played.
Dancin’ in the Street (Martha Reeves & The Vandellas cover)
The real gem of the first set—funky, disco-inflected grooves with a jam that slips effortlessly into a cosmic breakdown. Spring ’77 Dancin’s are legendary for a reason—and this one is top tier.

Set Two – Lift-Off to the Outer Cosmos

Samson and Delilah (Traditional)
Drum-heavy, thumping, and always a crowd-pleaser. Kreutzmann and Hart set the room ablaze.
Ramble On Rose
Playful and sharp, with great lyrical delivery from Garcia and infectious call-and-response moments.
Estimated Prophet
Weir’s mystic reggae rhythm and prophecy-soaked lyrics come alive with wah-heavy jamming and deep bass from Lesh.
Terrapin Station
One of the earliest live versions—delivered with elegance and reverence. This version is cinematic, with that iconic build-up exploding into pure euphoria.
Playing in the Band > Uncle John’s Band > Drums > The Wheel > China Doll > Playing Reprise
This sequence is what makes this show such a crown jewel.
- Playing in the Band — hypnotic grooves, winding improvisation, and seamless segues.
- Uncle John’s Band — sweet harmonies and a feeling of home.
- Drums — tribal and exploratory, a percussive portal to another dimension.
- The Wheel — rising like a phoenix, filled with spiraling rhythm and hopeful melody.
- China Doll — tender, melancholic, and exquisitely performed.
- Playing Reprise — tying it all together like only the Dead can do.

🧠 Why This Show Still Resonates

The May 19, 1977 show is more than a good night—it’s a masterclass. It shows how far the Dead had come musically by this point in their journey: the harmonies tighter, the jams more mature, and the transitions seamless.

Whether it’s Garcia’s fiery soloing, Weir’s rhythm mastery, Lesh’s melodic bass flourishes, or the way Keith and Donna Jean elevate every tune—they’re all locked in. And the soundboard quality on Dick’s Picks Volume 29 makes you feel like you’re right there in the sixth row, eyes closed, soaking it all in.

🎧 TONIGHT on Dead Set Live: Don’s Pick – Dick’s Picks Vol. 29 (5/19/77)

Don’t miss tonight’s Don’s Pick—a full tribute to Dick’s Picks Volume 29. Tune in at 9 PM EST on Live Jam Radio as we let the Fox Theatre flow through the airwaves once again.

🌌 Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or just taking your first ride, this show is an invitation to dance with the past and revel in the timeless energy that only the Grateful Dead can conjure.

📻 Tonight’s Don’s Pick (9:00 PM)

Catch Don’s Pick tonight at 9:00 PM on Dead Set Live, where we’ll be spinning Dick’s Picks Vol. 29 in full. Don has chosen this show not just for its historical weight, but for its ability to connect listeners across generations. Whether you were there in ’77 or you’re discovering it for the first time, this show will move you.

🎂 The Countdown to the Grateful Dead’s 60th Anniversary

As we dive into the summer of 2025, the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary is just around the corner, and Dead & Company are getting ready to celebrate in a BIG way — with three epic shows in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Long considered sacred ground for Deadheads, the park was the site of some of the band’s earliest historic performances.

These anniversary shows will feature Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and a host of special guests, honoring the past while celebrating the future of the Dead’s enduring legacy. And yes — Dead Set Live will be covering every beat of it!

🌹 Don’t Miss “Fare Thee Well” Every Thursday

And if you haven’t yet, make sure to tune in every Thursday night for Fare Thee Well, our weekly show dedicated to the post-Garcia era. We explore the music of Dead & Company, Phil Lesh & Friends, Furthur, The Other Ones, and beyond — all carrying the torch lit by Jerry Garcia and kept burning by the surviving members.

🚀 Final Thoughts

Dick’s Picks Volume 29 is more than a live album — it’s a time capsule from one of the Grateful Dead’s most magical years. As we celebrate the band’s incredible legacy through Don’s Pick tonight and look ahead to their 60th anniversary celebrations, it’s clear: the music never stopped, and it never will.

Tune in. Turn it up. Let it grow.

👉 Explore more Grateful Dead content and music stories here

🌀 Dead Set Live – Where the Music Never Stops