POP/ROCK - Feb. 24, 1989

The Grateful Dead has canceled a series of March concerts in Oakland because citizens complained that fans of the rock band would despoil their neighborhood and use their yards as restrooms. “The Grateful Dead does not want to be perceived as coming in and ruining the neighborhood,” concert producer Bob Barsotti said after an emotional meeting Wednesday with Oakland Convention Center directors. “Until we can come up with some solution, I don’t want to bring these concerts here.” About two dozen convention center neighbors applauded his statements. Police issued 370 citations and made 28 arrests during three Grateful Dead concerts at the convention center two weeks ago. “The sex acts, urination, defecation, drug use--it’s unreal,” neighborhood leader Elaine Schiano said.