Mickey Hart Closes Summerfest

Jam band royalty was in the house again last night as Mickey Hart, one of the drummers for the Grateful Dead, brought the latest incarnation of his band to the Zippo Rock Stage to close this year's Big Gig.

Mickey is a world-renowned drummer and he always tours with a first-rate band. What musician wouldn't want to play with this Rock Hall of Famer? This summer's ensemble featured legendary bass player and soulful vocalist George Porter, Jr. (Stay tuned for my interview with George  later this week). Steve Kimock, who played Summerfest last year with Bobby and Ratdog, was rippin' it on guitar and you'd swear those two cats had been playing together for years.

Mickey is always exploring brave new worlds musically, but this devoted core of Deadheads came to hear the Dead...and we left delighted. From "Iko Iko" to a slammin' "Sugaree", "Fire on the Mountain" and "Eyes of the World," this was a treat I won't soon forget.

On top of that, the family tradition of extended cover jams continued with an early romp through "Good Lovin'" and Janis Joplin's "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart." The closing encore of "Not Fade Away" left the audience clapping their hands and stomping their feet as a smile came to my face, knowing I'll see Mickey again in 18 days.

The evening ended on a perfect note, as Mickey was kind enough to give me his drum sticks. How cool is that?

What a glorious way to close a wonderful 11-day run.