Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recipient, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Stephen Stills, has become the latest musician to sign on and participate in the San Francisco Giants and Relix’s event, The Heart of Town. Known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the guitarist will put his unique talents on display during night one, Thursday, July 31’s program, which will occur at Pier 48. The three-night concert series, which concludes on August 2, celebrates the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary and the city that inspired the band. LIMITED TICKETS remain for Thursday, July 31.
Stills’ initial Dead connection arrived in the late ’60s, joining the band on stage at Los Angeles’ Thelma Theatre, and assisting on multiple tunes, including his own “Black Queen.” His acoustic tendencies and understanding of harmony inspired a seismic shift for the Dead, influencing works like their 1970 outputs, Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. Over a decade later, Sills and the band reunited for a two-night run at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, performing many songs, including Buffalo Springfield’s famed free love anthem, “Love the One You’re With.”
The Heart of Town is led by Grahame Lesh & Friends, and supported by a rotating cast of the jam scene favorites and ad-lib masterminds, who will come together in recognition of the Dead’s abundant influence beginning on Thursday, July 31. Stills joins already announced participants, including Al Schnier, Alex Koford, Andy Frasco, Bill Nershi, Elliott Peck, Eric Krasno, Garrett Deolian, Giffin Goldsmith, Holly Bowling, Ivan Neville, Jeremy Hoenig, John Kadlecik, John Molo, JP McLean, Maggie Rose, Melvin Seals, Nathan Graham, Nicki Bluhm, Pete Seats, Peter Rowan, Roger McNamee, Sam Grisman, Taylor Goldsmith and Tony Hall.
Night one is set to commence at 8 p.m., and the subsequent dates, August 1 and 2, will shift to late-night hours, taking into consideration Dead & Company’s schedule and providing fans with the ability to soak up every bit of music.
The Friday, August 1 schedule will feature the return of Koford, Peck, Graham, and Bluhm, as well as new arrivals on night two, including Cody and Luther Dickinson. Duane Betts, Jake Brownstein, Jason Crosby, Kanika Moore, Karl Denson, Aron Magner Leslie Mendelson, members of BERTHA: Grateful Drag, Neal Francis, Reed Mathis, Scott Law, Tom Hamilton and Trevor Weekz.
On the third and final night, Saturday, August 2, attendees can expect the arrival of Adam Deitch, Cotter Ellis, Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, Erick Coomes, Jackie Greene, Jennifer Hartswick, John Lee Shannon, John Medeski, Karina Rykman, Mikaela Davis, Natalie Cressman, Steve Moltz, Stuart Boogie and Robert Randolph.
In tandem with the initial event announcement, Grahame Lesh shared, “My family has recently talked about the Grateful Dead’s legacy as a grand old tree, still growing after 60 years. Its roots are deep in the earth of America’s musical history. Its trunk is the original members of the band, and its branches and leaves are all the musical offshoots and musicians who were and continue to be inspired by the music of the Grateful Dead. The Heart of Town is a celebration of that 60-year legacy, and I am honored to host this all-star celebration at Pier 48 in Mission Rock with all of these beautiful musicians – all of these branches on the tree.”
“I’m so thrilled to be among the countless Deadheads flocking to beautiful San Francisco to celebrate 60 years of the Grateful Dead – the timeless music of my father Phil and his dear friends – in Golden Gate Park with Dead & Company. And I know that San Francisco will be filled with that music all weekend – I’m honored to contribute to that with all of my friends at The Heart of Town.”
“We’re proud to stand with our partners to present The Heart of Town at Pier 48,” said Larry Baer, President & CEO, San Francisco Giants. “Beyond an amazing celebration of music, it’s a gathering that embodies San Francisco’s enduring spirit. As Mission Rock takes shape as a vibrant destination for culture and connection, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Grahame Lesh, Relix, Terrapin, and Dayglo to bring such an incredible event to the city we love.”
“The Grateful Dead were birthed in San Francisco 60 years ago, and The Heart of Town is about honoring that legacy — bringing people together through music and the spirit of the city where it all began. Having Grahame leading the charge with so many incredible musicians makes it magic— it’s the next generation carrying the torch and keeping the music alive,” shared Dayglo Presents Founder Peter Shapiro.
The Heart of Town is produced by Terrapin Station Entertainment and Dayglo Presents, with a portion of proceeds supporting The Rex Foundation. Jonathan Shank & Peter Shapiro will serve as Executive Producers alongside Producer Molly Billmyre and Musical Director Grahame Lesh.
All passes can be purchased at sfgiants.com/heartoftown. A portion of the proceeds will
Benefit the Rex Foundation.
LIMITED TICKETS remain for Thursday, July 31.
Content shared from relix.com.