The Grateful Dead: Fare Thee Well
The Grateful Dead, one of rock 'n' roll's most revered bands, reunited to celebrate the group's 50 years of music - nirvana for one of rock's most passionate followings.
To mark the band's 50th anniversary, the group's "core four" surviving members announced they would play together for the last time on the Fourth of July Weekend in Chicago.
Left: A general view of atmosphere during "Fare Thee Well: A Tribute To The Grateful Dead" at Soldier Field on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Left: Members of The Grateful Dead are pictured in 1969. From left in the back row: Tom Constanten, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzman, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, and Phil Lesh. Jerry Garcia, left, and Mickey Hart are in the front row.
Constanten left the band in 1970. McKernan died in 1973, and Garcia - the group's most famous member - died in 1995.
Because Garcia had played his last concert in Chicago, his bandmates agreed to make Soldier Field the site of the "Fare Thee Well" tour.
Friend of the Devil
The band added two dates a week before their Chicago farewell performances, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Left: A Grateful Dead fan wears a mask in the Levi's Stadium parking lot before the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead" tour, June 27, 2015.
Fire on the Mountain
Grateful Dead fans gather before the Grateful Dead show at Levi's Stadium on June 27, 2015 in Santa Clara, California.
Scarlet Begonias
Bedecked Grateful Dead fans gather before the group's farewell concert at Levi's Stadium on June 27, 2015 in Santa Clara, California.
Sunshine Daydream
A Grateful Dead fan looks at a peace sign in the sky before the Grateful Dead show at Levi's Stadium on June 27, 2015 in Santa Clara, California.
One More Saturday Night
The Grateful Dead perform on Day One of their "Fare Thee Well" tour at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
The group's "four core" members include drummers Bill Kreutzmann, 69, and Mickey Hart, 71; bass guitarist Phil Lesh, 75; and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir, 67.
Eyes of the World
The Grateful Dead perform on Day One of their "Fare Thee Well" tour at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Tour promoter Peter Shapiro told CBS News' Dean Reynolds the group expected the tour would be big, but didn't anticipate how big. The Chicago concerts, which quickly sold out, were being beamed to a worldwide audience via pay-per-view, satellite radio, and live simulcasts to concert venues around the country.
Ripple
Joining the "core four" on the "Fare Thee Well" tour were keyboardist Bruce Hornsby and Phish lead singer Trey Anastasio (left).
Thievery Corporation
With the Dead coming to Chicago, other bands playing in the city paid their own tributes.
On Thursday, July 2, Thievery Corporation covered several Grateful Dead songs during their concert at Aragon Entertainment Center, including "Fire on the Mountain," "China Cat," "Eyes of the World" and "The Other One."
Tribute
Thievery Corporation bassist Ashish Vyas paid honors to the Grateful Dead during his band's set at Aragon Entertainment Center in Chicago, July 2, 2015.
The One You Love
This fan attending the Thievery Corporation concert wore her true allegiance over her heart.
The Things I Used To Do
Grateful Dead fans wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for the band's Friday show, part of their 50th anniversary farewell tour, July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
Truckin'
A general view of atmosphere during "Fare Thee Well: A Tribute To The Grateful Dead" at Soldier Field in Chicago, July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
Touch of Grey
A general view outside Soldier Field in Chicago, where the Grateful Dead are making their farewell appearances on the Fourth of July weekend.
In a 1989 interview, Jerry Garcia spoke to CBS News about the Dead's fiercely devoted fans: "It's not like a showbiz audience," he said. "They come as much to be there and enjoy each other. The experience is still rewarding for them for reasons that may not have anything to do with music other than the reason of celebrating their own existence."
Do You Wanna Dance
Hope Dean and Dylan Kader play for Grateful Dead fans as they wait for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour, July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
Brokedown Palace
Tamara Gray waits with other Grateful Dead fans for the gates of Soldier Field to open for one of the band's final shows on their 50th anniversary tour on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The show is one of three scheduled to be held in Chicago this weekend to mark the end of the band's 50 years together.
Fire on the Mountain
Bill Kreutzman and Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead perform during the "Fare Thee Well: A Tribute To The Grateful Dead" on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
Drums
Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead performs at the band's "Fare Thee Well" show at Chicago's Soldier Field on Friday, July 3, 2015.
The Music Never Stopped
From left: Trey Anastasio, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bob Weir perform at the Grateful Dead's "Fare Thee Well" show at Soldier Field on Friday, July 3, 2015, in Chicago.
From The Heart Of Me
Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead performs during the "Fare Thee Well: A Tribute To The Grateful Dead" on July 3, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.
Bill Kreutzmann said there will be a tear in his eye when the end comes. "When you've done far-out stuff with people, to all of a sudden say it's over is kind of sad," he told CBS News' Dean Reynolds.
For more info:
The Grateful Dead (Official site)
"Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead"
Fathom Events: The Grateful Dead Live From Soldier Field (July 3-5)
"Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead"by Bill Kreutzmann with Benjy Eisen(St. Martin's Press); Also available in eBook format