It was written by lyricist Robert Hunter and composed by guitarist Jerry Garcia.
The song was first performed live on August 31, 1978, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in Morrison, Colorado.
[3] The term "Shakedown Street" was later used colloquially to describe the area outside of Grateful Dead concerts where vendors sold their wares.
[4] The song was recorded and mixed at the band's studio, Club Le Front, in San Rafael, California.
[3] In more recent years, the music and arts festival Bonnaroo has used the term to describe the concert's long strip of vending.