It’s a family affair today on Attendance Bias! My guests for this episode are father and son, Jeff and Ben Fortgang. Jeff and Ben chose to discuss the Phish show from July 15, 2016 at the Gorge, the legendary outdoor amphitheater in George, Washington.
When Ben told me that his dad is a veteran taper who went to over 300 Grateful Dead shows, yet it was Ben who got his father into Phish, there was so much more I wanted to know. As you’ll hear in the episode, my parents know about my Phish obsession but they’re far from understanding it, and even farther from participating in it. So the opportunity to explore the musical relationship between a father and son, and their adventure to The Gorge was immediately compelling. Add the fact that I grew up in the same general area of New York as Ben and Jeff, and we’ve unknowingly been to at least a dozen of the same shows, and there was so much to explore.
Once Ben brought the first night of The Gorge in 2016, I was flooded with memories. Most of the memories were NOT of the music, but of the journey to the venue, the vibe once inside, and of the stunning visuals that surround the stage. I was eager to dive back into the show and relive the first night of my only visit to this unique venue.
So fill up your gas tank, get your camping pass, and pack your hoodie as we join Jeff and Ben Fortgang to take a look back at July 15, 2016 at the Gorge.