grateful dead 04/17/72 copenhagen video upgrade

Pretty cool seeing pigpen. Also, am I missing something? Bob starts out saying Dia de los Muertos, and they wear masks but it says it was 4-17-72? As in not Halloween.

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Pretty cool seeing pigpen.

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Did some research on this on wiki bc I had thought Pigpen had quit playing with them prior to this...

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McKernan's alcohol abuse had begun to affect his health by his mid twenties.[15] By the early 1970s, he also began to experience symptoms of congenital primary biliary cholangitis, a rare autoimmune disease which was unrelated to his use of alcohol. After he was hospitalized in August 1971, doctors requested that he stop touring indefinitely.[50] Pianist Keith Godchaux was subsequently hired and remained a regular member of the Grateful Dead until 1979.[51] McKernan rejoined the band in December 1971[25] to supplement Godchaux on harmonica, percussion, and organ. Although manager Rock Scully alleged that McKernan passed out in front of his Hammond organ at one show during this period, Garcia biographer Blair Jackson has lauded the quality and frequency of his instrumental contributions on the Europe '72 tour.[52][53] However, his health soon deteriorated again to the point where he could no longer continue to perform. He made his final concert appearance on June 17, 1972, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.[54] He subsequently broke off all personal relationships with the band, explaining "I don't want you around when I die."[55]

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This was a couple months before his last performance and less than a year before his death.

Great video OP, thanks for posting

Several weeks ago I was listening to Big Steve Parish who confirmed when Pig came back to the band, he played his Hammond organ while Godchaux played piano. BSP is such a great listen and an incredible historian / orator of actual happenings with the band. He talked about how people stereotyped Pigpen as a badazz because of his biker-looking appearance. In reality, he was a kind soul that wouldn't hurt a flea.

After the shows when other band members were partying, smoking pot, and doing LSD, Pig would go back to his hotel room and drink Southern Comfort until he passed out. BSP stated how Pig basically disappeared after he left the band. BSP has remorse not reaching out to help/support McKernan.