I know what you mean. I got into the Grateful Dead back around 1984 and started going to their concerts in '85. Back then they played in little places and, except for special dates like New Years Eve, I could get tickets the night of the show. Most of the people going were the typical happy-hippy Deadhead types and it was a totally laid-back scene.

Then, in 1987, they came out with that Touch Of Grey song that made the top 10 and overnight they became a big sensation. They had to start playing bigger venues and waiting in lines overnight for tickets became the norm. Worst of all though, there was suddenly this surge of nouveau Dead-Heads. People who only knew the one song and were just coming for the party scene. They caused a lot of problems, totally changed the whole scene, and the reputation of Deadheads quickly went from "happy-hippy" to "troublemaker".

It really was much better before they became so popular. Even the band said so.

The same thing happened with Santana. It was only about 3-4 months before they released Supernatural that I saw them at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, a classic little 1000 person venue. It was general admission and I got there about an hour before the show. I was able to walk right in and got a spot about 10 feet from the stage, right in from of Carlos. Try doing that today.