By Herb Greene – Billboard, page 9, 5 December 1970, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27041998
As the Grateful Dead are honored at the Kennedy Center Honors broadcast on Sunday (airing December 22 at 8:30pm ET on CBS & streaming), we’re celebrating their legacy with a look at the top ten most popular recordings in the Internet Archive’s Grateful Dead collection. Home to over 17,000 live recordings spanning decades of performances, this collection reflects the band’s rich history, their loyal taper community, and the boundless creativity of their legendary shows. From mesmerizing jams to unforgettable setlists, these recordings represent the enduring magic of the Dead—and the timeless connection between the band and their fans. Listen in and rediscover the music that has kept the Grateful Dead’s spirit alive for generations:
Top Ten Grateful Dead Live Recordings at the Internet Archive
- Grateful Dead Live at Barton Hall, Cornell University on 1977-05-08 (1.3M views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on 1973-06-10 (1.2M views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Dane County Coliseum on 1973-02-15 (1.0M views)
- Grateful Dead Live at The Centrum on 1987-04-03 (782k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Boston Garden on 1977-05-07 (772k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Swing Auditorium on 1977-02-26 (741k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on 1977-05-09 (704k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Hollywood Palladium on 1971-08-06 (555k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Soldier Field on 1995-07-09 (551k views)
- Grateful Dead Live at Barton Hall – Cornell University on 1977-05-08 (545k views)
Eagle-eyed viewers will notice that the legendary concert at Barton Hall, Cornell University, on May 8, 1977 appears twice on the list. The collection often features multiple recordings of the same show by different tapers from different vantage points in the crowd. A note on #10 indicates that recording was made “10 Feet From Stage=Great Instrement [sic] Pickup.”