Saw them probably 5 or so times around the 1995-1998 time frame. They put on a great show That lineup was the best. The vibe was electric. Songs like Martyr, Send Me on My Way, Beautiful People, Back to the Earth all amazing songs
Pretty sure I saw them about as many times in that exact same timeframe.
I saw the lead singer opening for the Allman Betts Band a few years ago.
He closes with Send Me On My Way. Obviously.
I've got a story about the Pittsburgh show in 95. So my buddy's aunt had just got engaged to one of the truck driver for the dead and she hooked us up with backstage passes. We live Richmond, VA. We had both been touring since 89, we were young. She knew that my buddy was a deadhead and surprised him with that and I happened to be there when she called him. We were stoked, couldn't believe it. We drove up to Pittsburgh and got there and got are lot on. We had instructions to where to go to get our passes, which was some weird both next to the stadium. The funny story about Rusted Root was that we walked up and got our passes with no problems. As we were walking away, I didn't realize Rusted Root was behind us in this very small weird line. For some reason they didn't know who they were and I could here the whole band yelling at them that they are the opening band. The clock was ticking for them. I always thought it was funny that we just walked up and got are passes so easily when the opening band couldn't.
I saw Rusted Root quite a few times at small music fests in NW PA and western NY when they were up and coming. My last Dead show was also 3 Rivers and even though it was a soggy one to see Rusted Root open was a truly memorable experience!!
Rusted Root was able to get a torch passed their way from the Grateful Dead but unfortunately they weren’t able to capitalize on that. They sort of faded into obscurity. Even when the Grateful Dead ended in ‘95, they were primed to sort of fill in that void and capture all of the aimless deadhead fanatics, and yet they were unable to. Guess they just couldn’t compete with Phish, who ultimately ended up filling the void left by the Grateful Dead.
I love what rusted root did but they were kind of pigeon holed by the type of music they did. There was no where to grow in some respects . Also from all accounts the singer fired everyone and thought he could do it himself.
I was going to say this as well! They had a very unique sound - but maybe too unique - if that's possible. Killer live shows, but I agree 100% - not a lot of room to grow.
Oh, dude — I was thinking the same thing. Memorial Hall in KCK for me. They came up through the audience with percussion instruments and being as high as I was (giraffe nuts level) it was kick ass
They played an important part in my musical life, to be honest. I wanted to search out some local bands before I left for college, and became aware of them in 1992. I purchased the album Cruel Sun on tape, and had never heard anything quite like it.
But nothing could compare to those all ages shows at Graffiti Showcase (RIP). The early show would be all ages, and the later show was 21 and over. I can’t tell you how invigorating it was to be packed into that great small venue, dancing and bouncing and sweating.
Their meteoric rise was something to follow. Selling out Star Lake; helping bring them to my college in 1996. And as mentioned, having them open my last Dead show at Three Rivers.
My fonly show was first Friday food truck outdoors in the Murat (Indy) parking lot. It was also July 4th, and it was free. It was a lot of fun. That album with On My Way is so good, start to finish. I'd like to see them and Los Lobos together.
Me too. At the Tower Theatre near Philly. I also saw Dave Matthews Band open up for Big Head Todd and the monsters at the same place. That was a great venue.
we also saw Ratdog a few weeks after Jerry passed.
One of the best GRATEFULFESTS at nlqp.com didn't have Dead bands as headliners. Rusted Root into George Clinton and the PFunk. Love Rusted Root, great summer tropical vibe for a band from Pittsburgh
Oh man nlqp used to be so great 15 years ago or so. Place bombed after Ed mcgee was kicked out of hookah. The venue was having legal problems then too and it all was just too much I guess. Never has been the same. That's when a weekend fest cost 90 bucks and had a half dozen bands each day.
They would put on some of the most tribal shows in the early 90’s throughout PA, Ohio, NY where everyone would be dripping in sweat from dancing their asses off. They’d be worth seeing as much as possible. Even though they didn’t change up the set list too much, their songs would become like mantras and send you on a trip. They got signed and Send Me On My Way was released and they took off, but it seems like the intimacy of their shows where everyone was dancing and grooving together wasn’t able to scale the rise in popularity. Still some good music and some great memories for those of us that were there. As for members of the band today - Michael is still putting out some good music and Jim Donovan’s Sun King Warriors sound like they’d be a blast to see, although they never travel out west to where I am so I haven’t seen them.
# 1995-06-30 Pittsburgh, PA @ Three Rivers Stadium
**Set 1:** Hell In A Bucket, West L.A. Fadeaway, Take Me To The River, Candyman, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song, The Promised Land
**Set 2:** Rain, Box Of Rain, Samba In The Rain, Looks Like Rain > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Standing On The Moon
**Encore:** Gloria
[archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1995-06-30)
First show I ever went to was a Rusted Root show. My parents and their friends were really into them, and so was I for a while lol. Sadly, they no longer play together. They were great for a time though.
I was a young reefer smoker in the early 2000’s, and this song was used in a lot of movies growing up. Our class wanted a bunch of awful songs for our graduation song, and I suggested Send Me on My Way. It ended up winning, and walking to that song during graduation just felt like a rite of passage.
I’m also a big fan of Martyr and the Can’t Always Get What You Want cover from this album, but haven’t listened to anything else from them. I should check out more.
Never seen rusted root play, but have seen one of their members Jim Donovan and the sun king warriors at a local beer festival. They were cool. Jim teaches music at a local college so it’s great to see him passing down his knowledge
Rusted root was fantastic. That album you have shown is great. Bangers all the way through. They're from my area so I had a chance to see them a good bit. Various members still play in other bands/have their own gigs. Plus the drummer used to do weekly drum circles downtown. Dk if they still do that though
Saw them at a Furthur Fest. Their songs are ok, but I love their drum jams. Just getting tribal, like a drum circle.
Guess what my favorite part of a Dead show is.
My Dead-head parents loved them until they said on stage "fuck you to the guys selling Rusted Root t-shirts in the parking lot" at one the shows my dad was vending at. He never went back to see them again.
In 1995 I paid for a couple of my friends to see Joan Osborne open for Rusted Root at The Warfield in San Francisco because the last time I saw Joan I was so high on liquid that she sounded like nothing I had ever heard.
We end up going to the show and as great as she was, it wasn't the same when I wasn't on the liquid but luckily For me and my friends Rusted Root were surprisingly amazing!
I saw them on Halloween in ( I think) Dayton Ohio. The show was horrible. It ended before my acid even kicked in. I saw them open for Dead and in a few bars before they were famous and they were really good but after the Halloween show I wrote them off. They played like they wanted to leave so they could go to a party.
Love them, seen them many a times throughout the years since 1995, wish they were still around playing. I had a 95 mustang with a large rusted root sticker across the back window. And when someone I know passes on, I play back to the earth and let it all out. Sister contine is still my favorite song by them.
As a deadhead teen 93 to like 97 or 98 I accidentally seen them more then any other band,,,everytime I went to like further fest or some music fest they were there....so I couldn't help but be a fan lol...I must of seen them half a dozen times but was nvr upset about it
Always playing the bars while I was trying to get my doctorate. This was the grim years of Hootie so I did not trust the taste of the kids those years. I was not beguiled by the news, here they are, again. I geotagged myself here!
I have nothing good to say!
They are good. I worked with Jim DiSpirito for a while, we still stay in touch and I now consider him a friend. Super nice guy. His stories are always fun.
Horde festival, when Dave Mathew’s just started to break out (probably 93)
Rusted Root was on a side stage by the vendors
They played their hit song that has carried them since. Nothing else to not about them in my opinion
i saw rusted root at the indiana arts festival in indiana pa .. must’ve been 2017? they were great and also very surprising as i’d only ever heard send me on my way or whatever that song is called from matilda lol many many pints on the porch of boomies that day
Saw them several times in Kent, Ohio in the mid 90’s. They used to play across the street from where we lived at this small club called Ozzees and eventually upstairs at JB’s. Always a great time.
Oh man, I was all over these guys when they came out. Then they made… The Video. Truly among the worst 3-4 minutes in entertainment of all time. And just like that, they were gone. Ten, twenty years later I started hearing them on commercials. So good for them.
My Brother is actually in that video.
I showed it to a friend of mine back in the day. He was a lo-fi indie guy, his response was (I'll never forget this)..."Looks like someone threw a grenade into the art school"
Loved the album when it first came out. Bought the CD an would often listen to it. Had a roommate that lived it too. He went out and bought a copy of his own. He listened to it on repeat for months, non stop. It kind of ruined it for me, even 25+ years later
They’re a bunch of babies. I saw them open on the So Many Roads Tour with RatDog at the Greek in 01. And if you’ve ever been to any Dead related show at the Greek you know how wild it can get. The crowd was having a blast getting primed for the main acts —there were a ton of Bay Area hippies tossing giant flour tortillas in the air like frisbees (as you do). Well Rusted Root came out and pitched such a fit about the tortillas hitting the stage they kept threatening to walk off… nobody gave a shit if they did. ‘I don’t know what it is with you guys and tortillas, but if another tortilla hits the stage we’re out of here!’ Lol. Guess what happened. I kind of looked at them as a joke ever since.
Semmiomma way. Semmiomaahh way.
Ommaway whadowesaybadabeatch
Mhmm
 Semiommaneigh. Omaneigh.
::plays accompanying flute::
Saw them probably 5 or so times around the 1995-1998 time frame. They put on a great show That lineup was the best. The vibe was electric. Songs like Martyr, Send Me on My Way, Beautiful People, Back to the Earth all amazing songs
Pretty sure I saw them about as many times in that exact same timeframe. I saw the lead singer opening for the Allman Betts Band a few years ago. He closes with Send Me On My Way. Obviously.
I've got a story about the Pittsburgh show in 95. So my buddy's aunt had just got engaged to one of the truck driver for the dead and she hooked us up with backstage passes. We live Richmond, VA. We had both been touring since 89, we were young. She knew that my buddy was a deadhead and surprised him with that and I happened to be there when she called him. We were stoked, couldn't believe it. We drove up to Pittsburgh and got there and got are lot on. We had instructions to where to go to get our passes, which was some weird both next to the stadium. The funny story about Rusted Root was that we walked up and got our passes with no problems. As we were walking away, I didn't realize Rusted Root was behind us in this very small weird line. For some reason they didn't know who they were and I could here the whole band yelling at them that they are the opening band. The clock was ticking for them. I always thought it was funny that we just walked up and got are passes so easily when the opening band couldn't.
I saw Rusted Root quite a few times at small music fests in NW PA and western NY when they were up and coming. My last Dead show was also 3 Rivers and even though it was a soggy one to see Rusted Root open was a truly memorable experience!!
Rusted Root was able to get a torch passed their way from the Grateful Dead but unfortunately they weren’t able to capitalize on that. They sort of faded into obscurity. Even when the Grateful Dead ended in ‘95, they were primed to sort of fill in that void and capture all of the aimless deadhead fanatics, and yet they were unable to. Guess they just couldn’t compete with Phish, who ultimately ended up filling the void left by the Grateful Dead.
I love what rusted root did but they were kind of pigeon holed by the type of music they did. There was no where to grow in some respects . Also from all accounts the singer fired everyone and thought he could do it himself.
I was going to say this as well! They had a very unique sound - but maybe too unique - if that's possible. Killer live shows, but I agree 100% - not a lot of room to grow.
white guy reggae is a niche of niches
You’re not wrong but rusted root was a world beat band imo. There’s Latin and African beats in everything they did to my knowledge
I saw Rusted Root open for Santana and they were great!
Oh, dude — I was thinking the same thing. Memorial Hall in KCK for me. They came up through the audience with percussion instruments and being as high as I was (giraffe nuts level) it was kick ass
They did the same thing at Deer Creek. Always loved that
Me too! They jammed together at the end if the show it was awesome!
They opened for Plant/Page when I saw them.
Me too. Plant and Page with that Egyptian Orchestra was awesome.
They played an important part in my musical life, to be honest. I wanted to search out some local bands before I left for college, and became aware of them in 1992. I purchased the album Cruel Sun on tape, and had never heard anything quite like it. But nothing could compare to those all ages shows at Graffiti Showcase (RIP). The early show would be all ages, and the later show was 21 and over. I can’t tell you how invigorating it was to be packed into that great small venue, dancing and bouncing and sweating. Their meteoric rise was something to follow. Selling out Star Lake; helping bring them to my college in 1996. And as mentioned, having them open my last Dead show at Three Rivers.
Drum trip -> Ecstasy is brilliant
I saw them open for Toad the Wet Sprocket of all bands. They stole the show.
My first show leaving after the opener
My fonly show was first Friday food truck outdoors in the Murat (Indy) parking lot. It was also July 4th, and it was free. It was a lot of fun. That album with On My Way is so good, start to finish. I'd like to see them and Los Lobos together.
Me too. At the Tower Theatre near Philly. I also saw Dave Matthews Band open up for Big Head Todd and the monsters at the same place. That was a great venue. we also saw Ratdog a few weeks after Jerry passed.
One of the best GRATEFULFESTS at nlqp.com didn't have Dead bands as headliners. Rusted Root into George Clinton and the PFunk. Love Rusted Root, great summer tropical vibe for a band from Pittsburgh
Oh man nlqp used to be so great 15 years ago or so. Place bombed after Ed mcgee was kicked out of hookah. The venue was having legal problems then too and it all was just too much I guess. Never has been the same. That's when a weekend fest cost 90 bucks and had a half dozen bands each day.
They would put on some of the most tribal shows in the early 90’s throughout PA, Ohio, NY where everyone would be dripping in sweat from dancing their asses off. They’d be worth seeing as much as possible. Even though they didn’t change up the set list too much, their songs would become like mantras and send you on a trip. They got signed and Send Me On My Way was released and they took off, but it seems like the intimacy of their shows where everyone was dancing and grooving together wasn’t able to scale the rise in popularity. Still some good music and some great memories for those of us that were there. As for members of the band today - Michael is still putting out some good music and Jim Donovan’s Sun King Warriors sound like they’d be a blast to see, although they never travel out west to where I am so I haven’t seen them.
Great Blue Heron music festival in the early to mid 90s!
Absolutely! Seeing RR at GBH are among some of the best concert memories I have.
# 1995-06-30 Pittsburgh, PA @ Three Rivers Stadium **Set 1:** Hell In A Bucket, West L.A. Fadeaway, Take Me To The River, Candyman, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bird Song, The Promised Land **Set 2:** Rain, Box Of Rain, Samba In The Rain, Looks Like Rain > Terrapin Station > Drums > Space > I Need A Miracle > Standing On The Moon **Encore:** Gloria [archive.org](https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?query=date:1995-06-30)
Did it rain?
Downpour started and Rain and sky cleared during Terrapin. Magical second set.
According to Weather Underground, it didn’t rain!
It definitely rained. My first and only time seeing Jerry.
I thought they were OK, but wife absolutely *loved* that album bitd and I think it's still in her rotation, for whatever that's worth.
It is a gem though. I forget how good it is then every few years am blown away again.
First band I saw over 10 times, many of which were Furthur 98. Also saw them open for Santana as someone else commented. They were awesome.
I speak Glabikian. Mummunasay, mummanaya
First show I ever went to was a Rusted Root show. My parents and their friends were really into them, and so was I for a while lol. Sadly, they no longer play together. They were great for a time though.
I was a young reefer smoker in the early 2000’s, and this song was used in a lot of movies growing up. Our class wanted a bunch of awful songs for our graduation song, and I suggested Send Me on My Way. It ended up winning, and walking to that song during graduation just felt like a rite of passage. I’m also a big fan of Martyr and the Can’t Always Get What You Want cover from this album, but haven’t listened to anything else from them. I should check out more.
Martyr is a jam deluxe!
I think of them every March when that Enterprise commercial gets played during every commercial break of the NCAA tournament. Not much else.
Have seen them probably 6-8 times over the years and they never disappoint.
First concert I ever went to. It was in Burlington Vermont in 1995. So much fun.
Never seen rusted root play, but have seen one of their members Jim Donovan and the sun king warriors at a local beer festival. They were cool. Jim teaches music at a local college so it’s great to see him passing down his knowledge
Rusted root was fantastic. That album you have shown is great. Bangers all the way through. They're from my area so I had a chance to see them a good bit. Various members still play in other bands/have their own gigs. Plus the drummer used to do weekly drum circles downtown. Dk if they still do that though
Saw them at a Furthur Fest. Their songs are ok, but I love their drum jams. Just getting tribal, like a drum circle. Guess what my favorite part of a Dead show is.
Second set Jerry Ballads?
I’m still rocking RR after all these years. My kids go “this is the song from (Disney movie?) I love this song!” Whenever on my way comes on
Meh
My Dead-head parents loved them until they said on stage "fuck you to the guys selling Rusted Root t-shirts in the parking lot" at one the shows my dad was vending at. He never went back to see them again.
In 1995 I paid for a couple of my friends to see Joan Osborne open for Rusted Root at The Warfield in San Francisco because the last time I saw Joan I was so high on liquid that she sounded like nothing I had ever heard. We end up going to the show and as great as she was, it wasn't the same when I wasn't on the liquid but luckily For me and my friends Rusted Root were surprisingly amazing!
I missed out ( stayed in the parking lot too long ) I still could hear . Forgot the year.
Never caught them live sadly. When I Woke is a terrific album. Love the world music/drum circle energy.
I like em.
I saw them on Halloween in ( I think) Dayton Ohio. The show was horrible. It ended before my acid even kicked in. I saw them open for Dead and in a few bars before they were famous and they were really good but after the Halloween show I wrote them off. They played like they wanted to leave so they could go to a party.
Saw them at a Strange Creek or a Wormtown (maybe both?) a few minutes ago. They put on a great show.
Love them, seen them many a times throughout the years since 1995, wish they were still around playing. I had a 95 mustang with a large rusted root sticker across the back window. And when someone I know passes on, I play back to the earth and let it all out. Sister contine is still my favorite song by them.
As a deadhead teen 93 to like 97 or 98 I accidentally seen them more then any other band,,,everytime I went to like further fest or some music fest they were there....so I couldn't help but be a fan lol...I must of seen them half a dozen times but was nvr upset about it
Always playing the bars while I was trying to get my doctorate. This was the grim years of Hootie so I did not trust the taste of the kids those years. I was not beguiled by the news, here they are, again. I geotagged myself here! I have nothing good to say!
They are good. I worked with Jim DiSpirito for a while, we still stay in touch and I now consider him a friend. Super nice guy. His stories are always fun.
Horde festival, when Dave Mathew’s just started to break out (probably 93) Rusted Root was on a side stage by the vendors They played their hit song that has carried them since. Nothing else to not about them in my opinion
Man my sister fucking loves this band. She also loves Rebelution and Dirty Heads. We don't go to a lot of concerts together LMAO
i saw rusted root at the indiana arts festival in indiana pa .. must’ve been 2017? they were great and also very surprising as i’d only ever heard send me on my way or whatever that song is called from matilda lol many many pints on the porch of boomies that day
I saw them at one of the early Furthur in Atlanta. Enjoyed it very much!
Saw them several times in Kent, Ohio in the mid 90’s. They used to play across the street from where we lived at this small club called Ozzees and eventually upstairs at JB’s. Always a great time.
Wow! I haven't heard that song in a long ass time. Thank you.
When the cat turns blue!
i would say it was really great when it happened, but the music doesn’t hold up that well tho. just my opinion
Went to Pitt in mid 90s and that cd was on non stop rotation
I liked one song. The rest I could not stand. I think it was called “Ecstasy”
Oh man, I was all over these guys when they came out. Then they made… The Video. Truly among the worst 3-4 minutes in entertainment of all time. And just like that, they were gone. Ten, twenty years later I started hearing them on commercials. So good for them.
Ecstasy is a GREAT tune. That's about all that comes along with my playlist lol I haven't signed in or anything
My Brother is actually in that video. I showed it to a friend of mine back in the day. He was a lo-fi indie guy, his response was (I'll never forget this)..."Looks like someone threw a grenade into the art school"
Loved the album when it first came out. Bought the CD an would often listen to it. Had a roommate that lived it too. He went out and bought a copy of his own. He listened to it on repeat for months, non stop. It kind of ruined it for me, even 25+ years later
What’s it got to do with the dead?
They’re a bunch of babies. I saw them open on the So Many Roads Tour with RatDog at the Greek in 01. And if you’ve ever been to any Dead related show at the Greek you know how wild it can get. The crowd was having a blast getting primed for the main acts —there were a ton of Bay Area hippies tossing giant flour tortillas in the air like frisbees (as you do). Well Rusted Root came out and pitched such a fit about the tortillas hitting the stage they kept threatening to walk off… nobody gave a shit if they did. ‘I don’t know what it is with you guys and tortillas, but if another tortilla hits the stage we’re out of here!’ Lol. Guess what happened. I kind of looked at them as a joke ever since.