In early February of 1966, the Dead followed the Merry Pranksters down to the Los Angeles area to continue and expand the Acid Tests. The Prankers themselves were on their way to rendezvous with Ken Kesey who was then hiding in Mexico. In addition to the Watts Acid Test of February 12 (featured here), the band stuck around LA for approximately two months. They were hoping to make headway into a recording contract of some sort. Of course, they didn't get very far in that respect.
The acid test itself was conducted at the Youth Opportunities Center in Compton, CA. The setlist is unknown according to Setlist.net. A note at Dead.net also states, "Jerry apparently did not play." This is a possible reference to the fact that the Dead may have been too high to do any playing on this night. Apparently the Kool-Aid at this test was dosed by two individuals, concluding in some extremely high individuals.
One recording of Pigpen from this night does exist. It's a pretty decent Pigpen rap:
The Watts Acid Test
Youth Opportunities Center, Compton, CA
February 12, 1966
01. Who Cares Rap (Pigpen, Weir, etc.) [6:08}
Listen to it here:
http://www.archive.org/details/gd1966-02-12.sbd.bershaw.9515.shnf
thank you so much for posting this. In Jerry garcia's youtube interview "the history of rock n roll" he talks about how crazy this test was for the them at 15:00, very glad I am able to listen to this right after.
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