My first show was memoriable. My roommate had gotten floor tickets and we basically went for something to do on a Friday to start the Halloween weekend festivities. I was coming off summer Dead tour and was anchored to only local shows due to school.

The comedy was weak. Michael Penn was alright but really couldn't carry the size and mood of the room. Spin Doctors threw down ( as hard as it is for me to write that) and then Phish hit the stage.

It was about this time that my roommate was kicked out for smoking but was able to do the handout on his way out. The rest of us had a great time. The band played solid, sounded good and confident. I tend to remember the Rift material due to my familiarity with it at that time. Trey commented about always wanting to play the Garden.

I made it to Great Woods the following summer and then left the scene for an extended period of time.

Nice introduction into many decades of enjoyment.