LONGMONT, CO — The long-awaited Grateful Dead Warfield 1980 vinyl release arrives this Record Store Day Black Friday, celebrating one of the band’s most beloved acoustic eras with a rare set pulled from their historic 1980 Warfield Theatre residency.

Why the Grateful Dead Warfield 1980 Vinyl Matters to Colorado Fans

Spend enough time in the Colorado music world, and you’ll eventually hear someone ask, “Weren’t the Grateful Dead from Denver?” It’s a fair misunderstanding. Though the band formed in the Bay Area in 1965, Colorado has always been their spiritual second home.

Their earliest ties trace back to the late-1960s psychedelic era. In September 1967, the Dead played the Family Dog on West Evans, Denver’s sister venue to the iconic San Francisco club. That same weekend, they performed freely for the public at a “Human Be-In” at Denver’s City Park, setting up on a flatbed truck and playing for a mix of locals, hippies, and curious passersby.

That sense of community forged a connection that later grew into 20 legendary shows at Red Rocks. They weren’t born here, but they certainly belonged here.

The Release — Grateful Dead Warfield 1980 Vinyl (Oct 4 & 6, 1980)

Fast-forward to 1980, when the band celebrated its 15th anniversary with a remarkable 15-night residency at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. For RSD Black Friday 2025, collectors can finally experience highlights from two of those nights with a special 2-LP and 2-CD set: The Warfield, San Francisco, CA, Oct 4 & 6, 1980.

Unlike their classic electric shows, these recordings spotlight the Dead’s intimate acoustic sets—warm, precise, and rooted deeply in American folk traditions.

What You’ll Hear on the Grateful Dead Warfield 1980 Vinyl

Folk Standards & Deep Cuts

Selections include “Deep Elem Blues,” “The Race Is On,” and “Rosalie McFall”—a blend of traditionals and fan-favorite acoustic staples.

Rare Stripped-Down Moments

Acoustic interpretations of “Bird Song,” “Cassidy,” and “To Lay Me Down” offer a close, human snapshot of the band at its peak.

A Double Dose of “Ripple”

Each LP (and CD) concludes with “Ripple,” giving collectors a unique pairing of back-to-back performances of one of the band’s most cherished songs.

The release captures a moment where Jerry Garcia’s love of bluegrass and folk intersected with the band’s more expansive psychedelic legacy.

Where to Get the Grateful Dead Warfield 1980 Vinyl on Black Friday

The set will be available starting Black Friday at independent record stores nationwide, including Recycled Records LP. Whether you’re reliving Red Rocks ’78 or just discovering this era, this release is a meaningful addition to any Dead collection.