Jerry Garcia and John Scher

Probably premature for me to post about this, since there’s probably tons to say and I haven’t really combed through, less still thought much about it. But just came across a little 1982 Billboard piece (1) documenting a big move by John Scher into NYC. According to the reporter, “The move ends a de facto situation where Scher stayed west of the Hudson River while Ron Delsener dominated the New York City market.”

The first show for Scher’s big move? Jerry Garcia (and John Kahn) acoustic at the Beacon Theatre, New York, NY, April 21, 1982. They’d play early and late shows and would be joined by opener Dr. John on “Goodnight Irene” to close the evening. Being the lucky fans that we are, we have multiple sources in circulation for these shows: 14718 (my fave, a decent late show sbd), 29187, 29188, 88761.

Corry has written about the extremely intimate relationship between Garcia and Bay Area club promoter Freddie Herrera (see here), who ran the Keystone clubs (see here). Garcia’s relationship with Scher needs the same kind of treatment. I think the ca. 1973-1983 fates of Garcia’s side stuff and John Scher’s enterprises were deeply intertwined. I have no space for it here time for it now, but just wanted to put down a marker.

REFERENCE:
(1) Roman Kozak, “John Scher Moves East of Hudson,” Billboard, April 24, 1982, p. 44; accessed via Google Books.