Grateful Dead Bird Song live versions: 290 shows
Explore 290 Grateful Dead performances of Bird Song from 1971-1995, with first and last dates, venues, setlists, and listening links.
Use this song page to choose a version, compare eras, and open show pages with listening links.
Start with these Bird Song versions
Best first listen: June 10, 1973 · Robert F. Kennedy Stadium · Washington, DC, US
This long RFK show opens with Morning Dew and grows into a three-set day with Eyes Of The World, Here Comes Sunshine, and Dark Star > He's Gone > Wharf Rat > Truckin'. Set three adds Merl Saunders, Dickey Betts, and Butch Trucks, giving the closing Dylan, blues, and rock-and-roll tunes a bigger jam-band feel.
Another strong choice: August 27, 1972 · Old Renaissance Faire Grounds · Veneta, OR, US
Veneta feels sunstruck, loose, and mythic without losing musical clarity. It is a gateway show because the setting is famous, but the jams still hold up under close listening.
Another strong choice: March 29, 1990 · Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum · Uniondale, NY, US
Complete Nassau Coliseum show from spring 1990 with jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis, who was invited by bassist Phil Lesh and sat in on 'Bird Song' in the first set and the entire second set except 'Drums.'
First catalog performance: February 19, 1971 · Capitol Theatre · Port Chester, NY, US
Last catalog performance: June 30, 1995 · Three Rivers Stadium · Pittsburgh, PA, US
Top shows featuring Bird Song
June 10, 1973 · Robert F. Kennedy Stadium · Washington, DC, US
August 27, 1972 · Old Renaissance Faire Grounds · Veneta, OR, US
March 29, 1990 · Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum · Uniondale, NY, US
December 6, 1980 · Recreation Center · Mill Valley, CA, US
October 17, 1983 · Olympic Center · Lake Placid, NY, US
July 27, 1973 · Grand Prix Racecourse · Watkins Glen, NY, US
November 30, 1980 · Fox Theatre · Atlanta, GA, US
April 29, 1971 · Fillmore East · New York, NY, US
September 12, 1981 · William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley · Berkeley, CA, US
June 18, 1983 · Saratoga Performing Arts Center · Saratoga Springs, NY, US
June 30, 1995 · Three Rivers Stadium · Pittsburgh, PA, US
June 28, 1985 · Hershey Park Stadium · Hershey, PA, US
October 8, 1989 · Hampton Coliseum · Hampton, VA, US
April 28, 1971 · Fillmore East · New York, NY, US
October 20, 1984 · Carrier Dome, Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY, US
August 1, 1973 · Roosevelt Stadium · Jersey City, NJ, US
February 19, 1971 · Capitol Theatre · Port Chester, NY, US
March 9, 1981 · Madison Square Garden · New York, NY, US
October 18, 1972 · Fox Theatre · St. Louis, MO, US
December 31, 1980 · Oakland Auditorium · Oakland, CA, US
October 29, 1985 · Fox Theatre · Atlanta, GA, US
September 9, 1972 · Hollywood Palladium · Hollywood, CA, US
June 22, 1973 · P.N.E. Coliseum · Vancouver, Canada
December 31, 1984 · San Francisco Civic Auditorium · San Francisco, CA, US
April 13, 1984 · Hampton Coliseum · Hampton, VA, US
July 15, 1984 · William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley · Berkeley, CA, US
October 10, 1980 · Warfield Theatre · San Francisco, CA, US
February 20, 1971 · Capitol Theatre · Port Chester, NY, US
March 12, 1981 · Boston Garden · Boston, MA, US
April 17, 1971 · Dillon Gym, Princeton University · Princeton, NJ, US
June 20, 1991 · Pine Knob Music Theatre · Clarkston, MI, US
March 22, 1973 · Utica Memorial Auditorium · Utica, NY, US
April 28, 1991 · Sam Boyd Silver Bowl · Las Vegas, NV, US
October 11, 1983 · Madison Square Garden · New York, NY, US
December 5, 1981 · Market Square Arena · Indianapolis, IN, US
September 18, 1987 · Madison Square Garden · New York, NY, US
February 24, 1971 · Capitol Theatre · Port Chester, NY, US
July 26, 1987 · Anaheim Stadium · Anaheim, CA, US
September 26, 1980 · Warfield Theatre · San Francisco, CA, US
June 30, 1973 · Universal Amphitheatre · Universal City, CA, US
July 9, 1989 · Giants Stadium · East Rutherford, NJ, US
September 3, 1972 · Folsom Field, University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO, US
October 3, 1987 · Shoreline Amphitheatre · Mountain View, CA, US
February 23, 1971 · Capitol Theatre · Port Chester, NY, US
August 18, 1989 · William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, UC Berkeley · Berkeley, CA, US
September 23, 1972 · Palace Theater · Waterbury, CT, US
September 24, 1972 · Palace Theater · Waterbury, CT, US
July 11, 1981 · Alpine Valley Music Theatre · East Troy, WI, US
October 2, 1980 · Warfield Theatre · San Francisco, CA, US
September 7, 1973 · Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum · Uniondale, NY, US
Related songs
Playing In The Band (100) · Sugar Magnolia (100) · Promised Land (99) · The Other One (99) · Truckin' (99) · China Cat Sunflower (97) · I Know You Rider (97) · Me And My Uncle (96)