In 1978, the Grateful Dead
recorded Shakedown Street from their rehearsal space/studio
at Club Front -- an old warehouse building at 20 Front Street.
Perhaps if you listen hard enough, there may be a ripple of a
lingering chord.
The album was the last to feature Donna and Keith Godchaux. Can
you see them playing bumper cars with their BMW's at the Front
Street parking area? By that time, good lovin' was just a
memory.
The album cover was an interesting rendition of Front Street.
The Dead used the space until they moved to Novato in the early
'90s. Now even that is just a memory of a long, strange trip.
I was not able to place a cache next to the old Club Front,
since it is too close to Hold Your Breath (those who visit that cache
may be aware that the Dead played at the club that was there
when it was known as the Euphoria Ballroom). However, there is
no need to get the new minglewood blues if you miss seeing it,
since there is little to see.
The area probably has not changed much from the days of
Shakedown Street. The sign on the corner still identifies it as
Front. Not a lot of color around here, only a touch of grey. No
cafes like France. Nothing exotic like the Serengetti. Just another
old warehouse. Just another place to get your dents repaired. Just
Lee staggering around the back of the old Palms, the back of a car
dealership, a garbage collection business. And there is no fire on
the mountain.
If I had the world to give, it might be a larger cache filled
with Dead memorabilia. But as it is the cache is small enough to
spit from side to side. Maybe even smaller. But at least this comes
from the heart of me. So be aware of your surroundings. Shakedown
Street is not like some of those other speedways, its got signs and
dividing lines. But if you are not careful, there may be trouble
ahead, trouble behind. Watch your speed and don't forget to stop so
you don't get run in, run around, and run down.
The cache is built to last, but use appropriate stealth. There
may be less people around after hours or when the valet parking is
not being offered across the street. You can sink into madness
but it is better to reach for the sun. And remember what Robert
Hunter wrote about Shakedown Street: you will not need a miracle to
find it.
After you find it, there is just one thing I ask of you, just
one thing for me: please include a Grateful Dead lyric or song
title in your online log.