Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 "Some folks trust to reason, others trust to might..." ~ “Playing in the Band", first played live February 18, 1971 at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester New York. Words by Robert Hunter, music by Bob Weir and Mickey Hart. Donna Jean Godchaux made her Grateful Dead debut singing harmonies on “Playing in the Band” — a song that became her calling card and a touchstone of the band’s evolving sound. As the music world says farewell to her this week, it feels right...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 "Let there be songs to fill the air..." ~ “Ripple", first played live February 18, 1970 at the Fillmore East in New York City. Words and music by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia. A fitting line for this issue — Jerry was the drop that started the ripple in the water, and as it continues to ripple outwards, the music and fan base continues to expand. ❤️ The Weeks Flew By, and We’re Back It’s been a busy month, and we missed a couple of issues—but the ripple never...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 "It's a rainbow full of sound, It's fireworks, calliopes and clowns, Everybody's dancing..." ~ “The Music Never Stopped", first played live August 13, 1975 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. The words were written by John Perry Barlow, while the music is credited to Bob Weir. A fitting line for this issue — even though the Grateful Dead aren’t on stage and longer, the music never stops. Tribute bands and offshoot projects are proof that the river...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 “While the firelight’s aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow.” ~ Lady with a Fan (from the Terrapin Station suite), First played live: February 26, 1977, at Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA, Written by: Jerry Garcia (music), Robert Hunter (lyrics) 🚐 Haight-Ashbury Walking Tour Highlights Before the music even started, we hit the streets of Haight-Ashbury for a self-guided walking tour through Grateful Dead history—complete with vintage murals,...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🎶 “The shoe is on the hand it fits, there's really nothing much to it.” ~ Touch of Grey, first performed live by the Grateful Dead in 1982 and became their only top 10 hit single. Written by Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter, the song is a resilient anthem about enduring life’s ups and downs with a touch of optimism. The song was the opener at Soldier Field, Chicago July 9, 1995 - The Grateful Dead's last show with Jerry Garcia. 🌀 The Wheel Keeps Turning: 6...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe to the Newsletter 🌹 “Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.” ~Box of Rain, Written by Phil Lesh and Robert Hunter, first debuted live on March 23, 1970, during a benefit concert at the Fillmore East in New York City. 🎤 Two Hearts, One Song: Todd & Michelle Some stories are written in the stars. Ours? It was written in the setlists (and maybe in the stars as well). This issue, we're flipping the script and stepping into the spotlight ourselves — interviewing...
5 months ago • 4 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “I woke today, and felt your side of bed. The covers were still warm where you'd been layin’.” ~Looks Like Rain (Written by Bob Weir and John Barlow), first played live March 21, 1972, at Academy of Music, New York City. 🎤 Interview with Alice In this episode of China Cat Chat, we sit down with longtime Deadhead Alice — a tour buddy, friend, and part of our extended show-going family. From Colorado to Mexico, Europe to flag football with Bobby (!), this one’s full of heart and...
6 months ago • 2 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “Summertime done come and gone, my oh my” ~U.S. Blues, First performed live: February 22, 1974 at Winterland, San Francisco A Note from Michelle & Todd Hey Now, friends! Welcome to another issue of China Cat Chat — we’re diving into a summer vibe with a nod to U.S. Blues, that irreverent, red-white-and-true classic. In a time when kindness, compassion, and unity feel more important than ever, we're reminded of the spirit that’s always lived at the heart of this music—and this...
6 months ago • 3 min read
Subscribe 🌹 “Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world.” ~Eyes of the World, first played live February 9, 1973, Roscoe Maples Pavilion, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 🎤 Meet Elizabeth: A Lifelong Deadhead with a Heart Full of Music For our very first China Cat Chat interview, we’re thrilled to introduce someone near and dear to our hearts—Elizabeth, Michelle’s sister and a longtime Deadhead whose life has been shaped by the music, the community, and the joy of dancing in the...
7 months ago • 2 min read