Grateful Dead’s “60 Years Later” Show

🎸 Grateful Dead: 60 Years Later — Behind the Golden Gate Park Gig | Interview with Mike Fortunato

Say “Grateful Dead” to anyone from 18 to 80, and odds are they know the band. For six decades, the Dead have inspired one of the most loyal fan bases in music history — a community that still follows them wherever they play.

In August 2025, the band celebrated their 60th anniversary with a massive show in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, drawing over 170,000 fans for three unforgettable nights.

In this exclusive interview, Mike Fortunato, part of the onstage and backstage recording crew, takes us behind the scenes of this historic event — from the chaos and magic of the capture to the vibe only the Dead can bring.

🎥 Tune in, drop in, and go onstage and backstage with Mike as he shares what it was like to help capture the sound of a 60-year legacy still going strong.

Key Takeaways:

• The hosts reflect on how the music industry and music culture have changed, especially the decline of iconic NYC music retail spots like 48th Street.
• Mikey laments a perceived drop in younger people learning traditional instruments (guitar/drums), attributing some of the shift to DJ culture and “quick fame” paths like reality TV.
• Despite that concern, Mikey shares a hopeful moment meeting a young guitarist at a Pennsylvania festival who was exceptionally skilled for his age.
• Nashville is highlighted as a place where strong musicianship still thrives, including experienced rock players who’ve transitioned into country and visibly show their chops (even during soundchecks).
• Mikey recounts working on the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary concert in San Francisco, emphasizing its massive scale and “festival-like” vibe with huge crowds and complex production.
• The conversation digs into modern live-production realities: multiple monitor consoles/techs, delay towers for consistent audience sound, and large advanced video displays.
• They contrast today’s digital workflows with older analog approaches, noting how digital tech has streamlined recording/capture and improved live sound quality.
• A recurring theme is that big shows succeed through strong crew collaboration, communication, adaptability, and solid interpersonal skills—not just technical know-how.