Jerry Garcia sings “We Bid You Goodnight” at the Brendan Byrne Arena in October 1989.
In honor of the upcoming closing of the Izod Center, which will present its last concert tonight, today’s selection for 350 Jersey Songs is The Grateful Dead’s “We Bid You Goodnight,” as performed by them at the East Rutherford building (then known as the Brendan Byrne Arena) on Oct. 16. 1989.
The Dead, of course, performed often in The Meadowlands, and “We Bid You Goodnight,” which they sometimes used to close concerts (as they did at this show) is a traditional song, originally developed for use at funerals.
Goodnight, Izod Center.
New Jersey celebrated its 350th birthday in 2014. And in the 350 Jersey Songs series, we marked the occasion by posting 350 songs — one a day, from September 2014 to September 2015 — that have something to do with the state, its musical history, or both. To see the entire list, click here.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
