Long Strange Trip

Jay Cridlin: TAMPA — Minutes after midnight, Uncle John's Band closes another sprawling set at Skipper's Smokehouse with the Grateful Dead's U.S. Blues, drawing cheers from the tie-dyed faithful.

Bassist Mike Edwards deflates into a stoop at stage right, wincing, rubbing his hip and his head. He fingers a cigarette as giddy fans share kudos.

"That was a long four hours," he says, limping off stage.

The hours are all long these days, but Uncle John's Band keeps rolling. This was the Grateful Dead tribute act's 850th gig at Skipper's. But for Edwards, the group's sole remaining founder, their gigs this weekend will top them all.

Friday through Sunday, for the first and last time, Uncle John's…