American rock band Grateful Dead bids farewell during their 'Fare Thee Well' concert held at the Chicago's Soldier Field on Sunday night, July 4, according to reports.
President Barack Obama, a Chicago native and a good friend to the band, has paid tribute to one of the longest-running music legends in the industry, with his message honoring the band on their 50th year anniversary celebration.
"Here's to fifty years of the Grateful Dead, an iconic American band that embodies the creativity, passion and ability to bring people together that makes American music so great," President Obama wrote. "Enjoy this weekend's celebration of your fans and legacy. And as Jerry [Garcia] would say, 'Let there be song to fill the air," 'a nod to American Beauty's "Ripple."
Obama and members of the Grateful Dead first made a connection back in February 2008, when Lesh, Weir and Hart performed at a Super Tuesday campaign 'Deadheads for Obama' during his Presidential candidacy.
After Obama won in the 2008 Presidential election, he then requested for the band to again perform in one of his inaugural events held in Washington, D.C back in January of 2009.
The band's final show had been wrapped up with more than one goodbye as 'Grateful Dead' members recalled the late Jerry Garcia, the band's front man, who died weeks after their two Soldier Field concerts in 1995.
Grateful Dead has documentaries on the making which will include Malcom Leo's "This Is Jerry: The Movie," based on the unreleased interview with Jerry Garcia back in 1987 and another unnamed project under Amir Bar-Lev's direction, to be produced by Martin Scorsese.
While "Box of Rain" was the last song played by the band during their last concert in 1995, it was the opening song on the band's three-night sold out concert during their final show on Sunday.
The band will be hitting the weekend with its last show and the 'core four' has brought in Phish guitarist Trey Anastasion and keyboardists Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti to complete the lineup.
