between 1976 and 1985, lesh seldom sang with the group (confining his contributions to harmony vocals on "truckin'") due to vocal cord damage from improper singing. over 750 concerts after its last performance, "box of rain" was permanently revived on march 20, 1986 at the coliseum in hampton, virginia. after that, the song was frequently played in response to chants from the audience. before the death of jerry garcia, "box of rain" was the last song ever performed live at a grateful dead concert, during the final encore at soldier field in chicago on july 9, 1995. symbolically, it was the first song played at the first show at soldier field on july 3, 2015, bringing fans full circle.