Grateful Dead Ship of Fools live versions: 224 shows
Explore 224 Grateful Dead performances of Ship of Fools from 1974-1995, 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 Ship of Fools versions
Best first listen: January 11, 1979 · Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum · Uniondale, NY, US
Another strong choice: May 9, 1977 · Buffalo Memorial Auditorium · Buffalo, NY, US
Buffalo opens with one of the sharpest Help Slip Franklin entries of the month and stays taut deep into the second set. It feels slightly less mythic than Cornell on reputation alone, but not by execution.
Another strong choice: July 4, 1989 · Rich Stadium · Buffalo, NY, US
The Independence Day Rich Stadium show was released as Truckin' Up to Buffalo and pairs a Bertha > Greatest Story opener with a second set that moves from Touch Of Grey > Man Smart (Woman Smarter) into Ship Of Fools > Playing In The Band Reprise > Terrapin Station. After Drums/Space, I Will Take You Home leads into All Along The Watchtower > Morning Dew > Not Fade Away and a U.S. Blues encore.
First catalog performance: February 22, 1974 · Winterland · San Francisco, CA, US
Last catalog performance: June 25, 1995 · Robert F. Kennedy Stadium · Washington, DC, US
Top shows featuring Ship of Fools
January 11, 1979 · Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum · Uniondale, NY, US
May 9, 1977 · Buffalo Memorial Auditorium · Buffalo, NY, US
July 4, 1989 · Rich Stadium · Buffalo, NY, US
May 19, 1974 · Portland Memorial Coliseum · Portland, OR, US
April 16, 1978 · Huntington Civic Center · Huntington, WV, US
June 26, 1974 · Providence Civic Center · Providence, RI, US
July 31, 1974 · Dillon Stadium · Hartford, CT, US
February 23, 1974 · Winterland · San Francisco, CA, US
November 30, 1980 · Fox Theatre · Atlanta, GA, US
June 28, 1974 · Boston Garden · Boston, MA, US
September 18, 1974 · Parc des Expositions · Dijon, France
June 23, 1974 · Jai-Alai Fronton · Miami, FL, US
February 24, 1974 · Winterland · San Francisco, CA, US
May 15, 1977 · St. Louis Arena · St. Louis, MO, US
August 6, 1974 · Roosevelt Stadium · Jersey City, NJ, US
October 27, 1991 · Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena · Oakland, CA, US
November 17, 1978 · Uptown Theatre · Chicago, IL, US
December 5, 1979 · Uptown Theatre · Chicago, IL, US
June 22, 1974 · Jai-Alai Fronton · Miami, FL, US
August 4, 1976 · Roosevelt Stadium · Jersey City, NJ, US
December 31, 1979 · Oakland Auditorium · Oakland, CA, US
December 26, 1980 · Oakland Auditorium · Oakland, CA, US
April 15, 1983 · Rochester Community War Memorial · Rochester, NY, US
March 9, 1981 · Madison Square Garden · New York, NY, US
September 19, 1990 · Madison Square Garden · New York, NY, US
July 21, 1974 · Hollywood Bowl · Hollywood, CA, US
June 4, 1977 · Great Western Forum · Inglewood, CA, US
March 23, 1974 · Cow Palace · Daly City, CA, US
October 31, 1985 · Carolina Coliseum Arena, Univ. of S. Carolina · Columbia, SC, US
May 3, 1977 · The Palladium · New York, NY, US
June 16, 1974 · State Fairgrounds · Des Moines, IA, US
March 23, 1987 · Hampton Coliseum · Hampton, VA, US
February 22, 1974 · Winterland · San Francisco, CA, US
September 24, 1991 · Boston Garden · Boston, MA, US
January 30, 1978 · Uptown Theatre · Chicago, IL, US
June 8, 1974 · Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Stadium · Oakand, CA, US
October 28, 1979 · Cape Cod Coliseum · South Yarmouth, MA, US
August 22, 1993 · Autzen Stadium, University of Oregon · Eugene, OR, US
April 1, 1990 · The Omni · Atlanta, GA, US
June 20, 1974 · The Omni · Atlanta, GA, US
April 14, 1978 · Cassell Coliseum, Virginia Tech · Blacksburg, VA, US
August 11, 1987 · Red Rocks Amphitheatre · Morrison, CO, US
May 12, 1974 · Mackay Stadium, University of Nevada · Reno, NV, US
January 18, 1979 · Providence Civic Center · Providence, RI, US
April 9, 1989 · Freedom Hall · Louisville, KY, US
October 18, 1974 · Winterland · San Francisco, CA, US
June 21, 1989 · Shoreline Amphitheatre · Mountain View, CA, US
July 11, 1981 · Alpine Valley Music Theatre · East Troy, WI, US
July 8, 1978 · Red Rocks Amphitheatre · Morrison, CO, US
June 25, 1995 · Robert F. Kennedy Stadium · Washington, DC, US
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