Brent Mydland Arrival
A nimble soloist and tenor vocalist anchored the Dead's first European shows of the 1980s.
The Grateful Dead entered a new chapter with the arrival of keyboardist Brent Mydland, whose nimble solos and aching tenor vocals became a fixture in their live sets. This transition is prominently featured on Dave's Picks Volume 56, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London during March 1981. These shows marked the band's first performances in Europe since Mydland joined, showcasing how his presence revitalized the group's sound as they established their '80s style. The album captures this era with two nearly complete concerts, highlighting the energetic interplay between Mydland and the rest of the lineup.
- Role
- Keyboardist and Vocalist
- Affiliation
- Grateful Dead
Lore & Background
Dave's Picks Volume 56 documents the Grateful Dead's March 1981 European tour, their first in Europe since Brent Mydland joined the band. The album features nearly complete concerts from March 20 and 21 at London's Rainbow Theatre, though 'Drums' and 'Space' segments were shortened by a few minutes on both nights. Notably, the encore of the first show, 'U.S. Blues,' was excluded from the release. Critic Timothy Monger noted that Mydland's contributions defined these sets, describing his solos as nimble and vocals as an aching tenor fixture. The band played five European dates that month: four at the Rainbow Theatre on March 20, 21, 23, and 24, plus one in Essen, West Germany, on March 28 alongside The Who.
In Their Own Story
On March 20, 1981, the Grateful Dead opened their London residency at the Rainbow Theatre with a first set featuring 'Feel Like a Stranger,' 'Friend of the Devil,' and 'Althea.' Brent Mydland's keyboards wove through tracks like 'Candyman' and 'Looks Like Rain,' while his vocals supported the ensemble. The second set included 'Scarlet Begonias' and 'Fire on the Mountain,' though the 'Drums' and 'Space' segments were cut short by minutes. The following night, March 21, brought another full performance starting with 'Alabama Getaway' and ending with an encore of 'Don't Ease Me In.' These recordings, released in a limited edition of 25,000 copies on October 31, 2025, capture the energy of Mydland's first European shows with the band.
Reader's Guide
Fans exploring Brent Mydland's tenure can start with Dave's Picks Volume 56, which documents his first European performances with the Grateful Dead in March 1981. The album includes two nearly complete concerts from the Rainbow Theatre in London, recorded on March 20 and 21. Listeners should note that 'Drums' and 'Space' were shortened by a few minutes on both nights, and the first show's encore, 'U.S. Blues,' is absent. Critic Timothy Monger praised Mydland's nimble solos and tenor vocals as defining features of these sets. The release, limited to 25,000 copies, offers a clear snapshot of the band establishing their '80s sound with Mydland at the keys.
Did You Know?
- Dave's Picks Volume 56 was released on October 31, 2025, in a limited edition of 25,000 copies.
- The album features concerts from March 20 and 21, 1981, at the Rainbow Theatre in London, England.
- 'Drums' and 'Space' segments on both nights were shortened by a few minutes for the release.
- The encore of the first show, 'U.S. Blues,' was not included on the album.
- In March 1981, the Grateful Dead played five European concerts: four in London and one in Essen, West Germany.
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