Grateful Dead
Donna Jean's new, new Web site:http://www.donnajeangodchauxband.com.
But I don't think two hard core heroin addicts would have given up $120,000 a year jobs. I doubt it was a "mutual" decision to part company". That sounds like a walk to the boss's office, coming out with a mutual decision to quit your job. And what about Jerry, same disease, seeing his future as two people walk out of his band because of that same disease.
DJG's vocals were mixed way down on most of the nights she was out there, to the point you could hardly hear her. That was during all the time she played in the band. KG got the life sucked out of him in his last year, and even that last year had bright spots.
Yeah, Jerry's voice was harsh at times, so were Bob and Phil's. You do have to wonder why they wouldn't keep her up in the mix even on a medium bad night.
I did lover her singing when she was on and I don't think she ruined every show between 72-79. DSO shows what a consistently good-to-very good Donna would have sounded like and that was very good indeed.
Let us all remember that it was a mutual decision to part company.
Donna & Keith's lives were spiraling out of control together with their alcohol and heroin consumption. it was effecting the music (although disappointed to see a Mickey Hart interview where he denounced playing under the influence as disrespectful and "bad form"; what about Jerry and Phil in certain years? what about the in-ear monitor years where they purposely removed others' playing if they had annoyed them before the show?).
Sure, there were some intonation and tuning issues sometimes but those years produced some magical moments indeed. If everyone always overlooks Jerry's vocal problems and concentrates on the good times then i feel Donna should be accorded the same respect.
I wish more of the member's later projects had a female balance.
DJG was "off" more than she was "on". She talked her way into the band with Jerry and others as the sister of a very talented keyboardist who shared Jerry's habit.
On the day DJG was on the Dead could be very magical. I was bummed to have Sunrise edited out of Taper's section last week. But, it probably was an "off" night.
There are older deadheads out there who say the Dead's most energetic period was ruined in large part (72-77) by DJG. I don't agree. Nobody is out-of-tune all the time.
But, I guess enough was enough in late 79. Would love to hear Blair's comment on this. I haven't read any Dead History books.
We Love you, when the Dead dropped you that was a huge mistake and poor judgement. After your husband died you should have been called back to the fold. I wish and want so badly to hear more from you, you have such a beautiful voice you fill the air with music and beautiful harmonies.
August 2010
19 Thursday The Blockley 38th & Ludlow, Philadelphia, PA 215-222-1234
20 Friday Triumph Brewing Co. 400 Union Square Dr., New Hope, PA 215-862-8300 10 PM
21 Saturday Mexicali Live 1409 Queen Anne Rd., Teaneck, NJ 201-833-0011 Doors 6 PM Show 9 PM 21+ Tickets
28 Saturday Long Island Maritime Museum Seafood and Music Fest 86 West Ave. West Sayville, NY 631-447-8679 All
Donna, my condolences on the loss of your mother. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
"Row Jimmy" from Cullman
Starting today! They have a full dance card. Check 'em out at
Donna Jean Godchaux Band
September
24 Thursday Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, PA 215 257-5808
Ronnie Penque Band opening (www.ronniepenque.com)
25 Friday Club Cafe, 56-58 South 12th St., Pittsburgh, PA 412 431-4950 21+ Doors 6 PM Show 7 PM Tickets or call 866 468-3401
26 Saturday The 8x10, 10 East Cross St., Baltimore, MD 410 625-2000 Tickets
27 Sunday Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, CT 203 259-1036 All Ages 7:30 PM Doors at 7 PM Tickets
October
1 Thursday Mulcahy's Pub & Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh, NY 516 783-7500
2 Friday River Street Jazz Cafe, 667 N. River St., Plains, PA 570 822-2992 Tickets
3 Saturday Mexicali Live, 1409 Queen Anne Rd., Teaneck, NJ 201 833-0011
Mexicali Live Reflections opening (www.reflectionsband.net)
Tickets on sale now!
November
5 Thursday The Pour House, 224 S. Blount St., Raleigh, NC 919 821-1120
6 Friday Attitudes Bar, 900 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 540-552-7001
7 Saturday Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetowne Avenue, Charlotte, NC 704 376-1446
8 Sunday Melting Point, 295 E. Dougherty St., Athens, GA 706 549-7051.
For Tickets, Call 706 254-6909.
13 Friday Rogue Tavern, 2312 2nd Ave North, Birmingham, AL 205-202-4151
14 Saturday Martin's Lounge , 214 South State Street Jackson, MS 601-668-9712
18 Wednesday State Theatre, 107 West State St., Ithaca, NY 607 27-STATE Opening for Dark Star Orchestra
19 Thursday The Klein Memorial Auditorium , 910 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 203 259-1036 Opening for Dark Star Orchestra
20 Friday Calvin Theatre & Performing Arts Center, 19 King St., Northampton, MA 413 584-1444 Opening for Dark Star Orchestra
21 Saturday Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 978 454-2299 Opening for Dark Star Orchestra
22 Sunday Ukranian American Cultural Center of NJ, 60 N. Jefferson Rd., Whippany, NJ
973 585-7175
25 Wednesday Penn's Peak, 325 Maury Rd., Jim Thorpe, PA 866 605-7325 Opening for Dark Star Orchestra
Just saw this new band last Friday in Asheville and they smoked, def go see them if they are in your area!!
So excited about this Forum! Donna Jean will be performing in Greenwich Village in New York next Friday, August 21st with her band, The Donna Jean Godchaux Band feat Jeff Mattson of the Zen Tricksters!
I haven't seen her perform live yet, so I'm really excited about this show-- They'll be doing two sets, starting at 9pm at Sullivan Hall-- between Bleeker and West 3rd Street.
I put show details below... along with a link to a page about Donna Jean (sporting a beautiful picture of her in her younger days!) I hope to see some of you there!
http://www.dead.net/band/donna-jean-godchaux
Fri. Aug. 21
Donna Jean Godchaux (Formerly of the Grateful Dead)
With Jeff Mattson of the Zen Tricksters.
8pm Doors- 9pm show- 2 sets
Tickets copy and paste this link: http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/EventListings.action?pl=cegsulliavn&orgId=21121&refid=boards
Sullivan Hall - http://sullivanhallnyc.com
214 Sullivan Street
New York, NY 10012
Meet-up at the Movies
Who's Online
There are currently 9 users and 64 guests online.
Newsletter
Get the latest news on Grateful Dead releases and more straight to your inbox.
I'm just going by what i've read, for what it's worth.
Sounds like Donna in particular could see that it was going to kill them both if they didn't get out; they had Zion to think of too of course. Reports of Keith and Donna repeatedly crashing their cars into each other in the parking lot of Front Street does not seem all that healthy.
I think it was on the cards and when the others called them for one of those classic "interventions", they felt, Donna especially, as that a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
Maybe one of those classic self-destructive episodes that ultimately forces your hand in the best possible way. Me? I loved Donna. And i agree with you. When she was "on" it was beautiful.