San Jose Rocks: Commemorating the Grateful Dead's Historic First Show
The Grateful Dead, a legendary psychedelic rock band, is often associated with San Francisco, but their first official show actually took place in San Jose on December 4, 1965. To commemorate this historic event, the City of San Jose will unveil a plaque at City Hall on the 60th anniversary of the concert. The plaque will celebrate the connection between San Jose and the iconic band, recognizing the city's pivotal role in music history. The dedication ceremony will take place outside the City Council Chambers building, where the first Grateful Dead show occurred at 38 S. Fifth Street. The event, organized by San Jose Rocks, will feature speakers and entertainment, starting at 4:45 p.m. and open to the public.
San Jose Rocks, led by Dan Orloff and Mark Purdy, has been working on this project for a decade to highlight the contributions of cities like San Jose to the Bay Area music scene. Many famous bands, including Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Doobie Brothers, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, and Moby Grape, have ties to cities outside of San Francisco. The Grateful Dead, originally known as Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions, started in Palo Alto before adopting their iconic name and playing their first show in San Jose. The band's debut in San Jose also marked the first public "Acid Test," a series of LSD-fueled parties hosted by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters.
The Grateful Dead's connection to San Jose and the significance of their first show in the city will be celebrated with the unveiling of a plaque at City Hall. This event not only commemorates a historic concert but also recognizes San Jose's role in shaping music history. Join the City of San Jose on December 4 to honor the legacy of the Grateful Dead and their ties to the Bay Area music scene.