Santa Barbara. A great location to see a show, but a show that didn't overwhelm me. Part of the problem: the first band was Warren Zevon. We didn't seem to like him; he didn't seem to like us, and it made for an inauspicious start to an afternoon. Elvin Bishop and friends were on next, and patched-up the damage, and the Dead did a good job when it was their turn.

After posting this site, I got an email from Vlad, who disagreed with my so-so review for this show: "Elvin played "fooled around and fell..." -- boy that was a psychedelic show! I remember Elvin Bishop Band, and Jerry joined them on stage for "Goin' Fishing". The wind ripped the backdrop and created some very nice visions. I think it may have been a Rick Griffin design. They started a Harley going into Not Fade Away, and Donna did some Yoko-like screams during that space...")

Recently got another email about the show, from Barry Smith, in New York. This one was about Warren Zevon:
"I did finally get a copy of the Warren Zevon set from 6/4/78 (your photos sparked my interest in finding it). Seems like everything was under control until right before he played Werewolves of London. That's when he called the fans 'f*n acid casualties.' The crowd seems annoyed and you can hear boos, catcalls, and chants proclaiming 'we want the Dead.' However Zevon seemed to get through the rest of his show (sans encore) which ends with a blast of feedback. Then Bill Graham announces his set is over, and that the GD will be coming on. This drives the crowd wild."

It's hard to believe that Warren Zevon was asked to open again in 1980 for the Compton Terrace and Folsom Field shows. I wonder if his attitude and audience response was any better than what happened at Santa Barbara.