1983-85 Phish Tour

Phish formed in the fall of 1983 at the University Of Vermont . Trey Anastasio enrolled as a freshman and met Jeff Holdsworth , a sophomore who sang lead vocals and played guitar. Anastasio apparently heard Jon Fishman playing drums in his dorm room and knocked on his door. The trio hung signs around campus in search of a bassist, with Mike Gordon answering the call.

A great majority of concert setlists from the 1980s are missing. This article contains the most complete information available, taken fron the first volume of '' The Phish Companion '' along with various data from '' The Pharmer's Almanac '' plus other recent edits.

See also Phish Tours

1983

In 1983 , the band (all of whom were 18-year old freshmen except Holdsworth, who was 19), played at least two shows under the name "Blackwood Convention." At this point, the band only performed Cover Songs (other artists' material), ranging from tunes by Creedence Clearwater Revival , Wilson Pickett , The Who , The Grateful Dead , and others.

12-2-83, Harris-Millis Cafeteria, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

I: Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress, Proud Mary, In the Midnight Hour, Squeeze Box, Roadhouse Blues, Happy Birthday

II: Scarlet Begonias > Fire

''First Phish show ever. Two songs into the second set, the audience played a Michael Jackson album on the stereo to drown out the band.''

--
12-3-83 Marsh/Austin/Tupper Dormitory, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

.

1984

In the spring of 1984 , Anastasio was suspended from UVM for stealing a goat's heart and a human hand from the science laboratory and sending to his friend as a practical joke with a note that read, "I've got to hand it to you, you've got heart." During his suspension, Anastasio recorded the '' Bivouac Jaun '' project with future Phish lyricist Tom Marshall and their friend Marc Daubert . As a result of the suspension, Phish did not perform any known concerts during the spring or summer of 1984 .

Phish continued with live performances when Anastasio returned to UVM in the fall of 1984 . For many concerts, the band was joined by Marc Daubert on percussion. For years, the band's performance from December 1, 1984 , was their earliest live circulated recording. The band debuted many original songs that fall, including "Makisupa Policeman," "Slave to the Traffic Light," "Camel Walk," "Skippy the Wondermouse," and "Fluffhead."

10-23-84, 69 Grant Street, Burlington, VT

Makisupa Policeman

''Setlist incomplete''.

--
11-3-84, Slade Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

In the Midnight Hour, Wild Child, Jam -> Bertha, St. Stephen, Can't You Hear Me Knockin', Camel Walk, Eyes of the World -> Whipping Post -> Drums -> Space

''Setlist incomplete. Entire show featured Marc Daubert on percussion.

--
12-1-84, Nectar's, Burlington, VT

Scarlet Begonias -> Fire -> Fire on the Mountain, Makisupa Policeman, Slave to the Traffic Light, Spanish Flea, Don't Want You No More -> Cities -> Drums -> Space -> Skippy the Wondermouse, Fluffhead

E: Eyes of the World

''"Skippy the Wondermouse" and "Fluffhead" featured The Dude Of Life on vocals. "Drums" and "Space" featured Marc Daubert on percussion.''

.

1985

In the spring of 1985 , the band met keyboardist Page McConnell , a student at Goddard College who jammed with the band for a portion of their May 3, 1985 show on the campus of the University Of Vermont . That summer, Phish took a break for live performance when Trey Anastasio and Jon Fishman travelled to Europe . During a telephone call, Anastasio told Mike Gordon that he did not want McConnell to join because Phish was "a two-guitar band." Gordon ignored Anastasio's request, inviting McConnell to move in with him. Additonally, throughout the summer, Gordon and Jeff Holdsworth taught McConnell songs from the Phish catalog. By the autumn of 1985 , he was a member of the band.

More originals began to make their way into Phish 's concert repetoire, including "McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters," "Anarchy," "Alumni Blues," "Dear Mrs. Reagan," "Dog Log," "Prep School Hippie" "Dave's Energy Guide," "Possum," and the popular classics "Harry Hood," "Run Like an Antelope," and "Mike's Song."

2-1-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
2-8-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
2-15-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
2-22-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
2-25-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
3-2-85, Hunt's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
3-4-85, Hunt's, Burlington, VT

Anarchy, Camel Walk, Fire Up the Ganja, In the Midnight Hour

''"Fire up the Ganja" featured Jah-Roy on vocals with members of Lamb's Bread .''

--
3-9-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
3-16-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
3-29-85, Doolin's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
4-6-85, Finbar's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
4-19-85, Hunt's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
4-21-85, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT

''setlist missing''

--
5-1-85, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

''setlists missing''

''The band played four shows (three of which were fraternity parties).''

--
5-3-85 Last Day Party at UVM-Redstone, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

I: Slave to the Traffic Light, Mike's Song, Dave's Energy Guide, Big Leg Emma

II: Alumni Blues, Wild Child, Can't You Hear Me Knockin', Jam -> Cities, Bring it On Home

III: Scarlet Begonias > Eyes of the World, Whipping Post -> McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters -> Makisupa Policeman, Run Like an Antelope -> The Other One

E: Anarchy

''The third set featured Page McConnell on keyboards. "Bring it On Home" featured original Phish lighting designer Tim Rogers (introduced as "Bobby Brown") on harmonica.''

--
5-7-85 Finbar's, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
5-31-85 Slade Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
9-26-85, WRUV "Exposure", WRUV Radio, Burlington, VT

Dog Log, Prep School Hippie, Camel Walk, Alumni Blues, Run Like an Antelope, Dave's Energy Guide, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters

'' Page McConnell 's first show as a member of Phish . Live radio broadcast.''

--
9-27-85 Slade Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, Fluffhead, Skippy the Wondermouse, Slave to the Traffic Light, Alumni Blues, Prep School Hippie, Dear Mrs. Reagan, Melt the Guns

''Setlist incomplete.''

--
10-17-85 Finbar's, Burlington, VT

Star Trek, Alumni Blues -> Mike's Song, Dave's Energy Guide, Revolution, Anarchy, Camel Walk, Run Like an Antelope, McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters

--
10-20-85, Slade Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
10-30-85, Hunt's, Burlington, VT

Harry Hood, Dog Log -> Possum, Slave to the Traffic Light, Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley, I Wish, Revival, Alumni Blues, Prep School Hippie, Skippy the Wondermouse

--
11-2-85, Slade Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--
11-14-85, Memorial Auditorium Basement, Burlington, VT

Hurricane

''Setlist incomplete.''

--
11-23-85, Goddard College, Plainfield, VT

I: Wild Thing

II: ''setlist missing''

III: Mike's Song -> Whipping Post -> Run Like an Antelope -> Dave's Energy Guide

''First set incomplete.''

--
12-13-85, Red House Party, Burlington, VT

''setlist missing''

--

''All information taken from The Phish Companion and The Pharmer's Almanac , with additional edits.''

See also Phish Tours

Information About

1983-85 Phish Tour