Ron “Pigpen” McKernan plays his last show with the Grateful Dead on this day in 1972 (Audio)

On 17 June 1972 Gratefully dead returned triumphantly to the States after their European tour in the spring, which was finally immortalized in the form of a classic live album Europe ’72That night the band made their way to the famous Hollywood Bowl and delivered a truly unforgettable performance with many musical highlights, from inspired improvisation to a remarkable song debut. The show was made especially meaningful, however, as the founding singer/keyboardist/harmonica player Ron “Pigpen” McKernan performed with the band before breaking off ties and eventually passing away the following March.

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Although “Pig” did not sing lead vocals or play harmonica during the show, his work on the organ is notable throughout the performance, especially on the second set-opening “Truckin'” and others. The excellent show-opening “Promised Land” > “Sugaree” segment and standout versions of “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” and “Playin’ In The Band” made for a “gold star” in the first set, and set two was packed with improvisational highlights – most notable being a 22-minute monster “The Other One” from “Drums” > “Space” early in the frame.

The emotional highlight of the performance was the debut of a new Jerry Garcia/Robert Hunter tune during the first set: “Stella Blue.” Pigpen’s organ playing is a powerful addition to the wistful ballad, but the performance itself only scratches the surface of the debut’s significance. At the time, Garcia and other band members were struggling to guide Pigpen in the new direction they were beginning to take. Pig, a true blues powerhouse, was the Dead’s founding frontman, the soulful engine that drove the train forward.

But as they moved away from the blues and into the more complex psychedelic sound they are known for today, Pigpen struggled to keep up. His contributions no longer seemed to fit as he struggled with their new sound. In 1971, the band brought in Keith Godchaux to supplement Pigpen’s keyboards, and Ron’s performances had steadily diminished over the following months. As this was Pigpen’s last performance, the wistful lyrics of “Stella Blue” – about a dying blues musician reflecting on the rigors of a busy life on the road – sounded eerily resonant.

Below you can listen to a fully restored audience recording of the Grateful Dead’s 6/17/72 performance at the Hollywood Bowl, courtesy of topen Dave and Jim Melton, transferred from Charlie Miller, uploaded by archive.org user Matthew Vernon:

Setlist: Grateful Dead | Hollywood Bowl | Hollywood, California | 17.06.72

Set 1: Promised Land, Sugaree, Black-Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, Me & My Uncle, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You, Rider, Playin’ In The Band, Loser, Beat It On Down The Line, Stella Blue, El Paso, Casey Jones

Set 2: Big Railroad Blues, Jack Straw, Cumberland Blues, Truckin’ -> drums -> The Other One -> Ramble On Rose, Rockin’ Pneumonia, Sugar Magnolia, You Win Again, Not Fade Away -> Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad -> Not Fade Away

(Cover image via Michael Putland/Getty)

(Originally published on 17.06.19)