“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Donna Jean Godchaux. Her unmistakable voice and radiant spirit touched the lives of countless fans and immeasurably enriched the Grateful Dead family. Her contributions will forever remain part of the tapestry that continues to be woven. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones and ask for privacy for her family during this time.”
Photo Credit: Jim Marshall
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May the four winds blow you safely home
You will be missed.
Cheers to Donna
WTF?
WTF?
RIP
Thank you Donna for a real good time! God speed DJG.
God bless you, Donna. Thank…
God bless you, Donna. Thank you, DJG.
RIP.
:_(((
Donna Jean...
...Rest In Peace with Keith.
I didn't realize how big time a studio singer she was before her time with The Dead. She done session harmonies on some of Elvis' best late '60s work.
I would love to see a reissue of her & Keith's 1975 solo album! ...Dave?
R.I.P. Donna
May the four winds blow you safely home
Thanks Donna
Let out a Donna scream that vibrates the time-space continuum.
Thank You Donna Jean
I was so sorry to hear this ~ I immediately listened to "Sunrise" and I kept thinking about her last night ~ then I listened to "Suspicious Minds", and "When a Man Loves a Woman", and there her voice was again ~ I am up early today, at sunrise, and I am thinking of Donna again. RIP hippie soul.
Donna Jean
Sunrise. Rest well,dear
From the Heart of Me
I remember breeze’s from winds inside your body,
Keep me high…
Donna Jean is cool... R.I.P.
We were 15 yrs old and up front at Watkins Glen. Around us and (apparently) behind us: a steaming, smoking mass of young humanity on a 36-hour jag, the place pulsing with LSD, and Bill Graham announces that the ABB will do a soundcheck, then The Band played for an hour. Near sunset, the GD came out and played nearly two hours. And there was Donna Jean in high heels and a skirt with long hippy girl hair (and legs to die for, hey I was 15!) and a real singer's voice that harmonized so well with Bob and Jerry on their respective tunes. While some since questioned her voice -- it's very hard to sing in key with the GD blasting around you -- but when the sound was dialed in her harmonies were great. Now, the blood-curdling scream in Playing in the Band ... I think if Jerry didn't totally dig that, she wouldn't have delivered it. Sure roused the crowd in the early years I caught the band. So Donna Jean's tenure in the GD was of a piece with where they were at, at the time. And let's say a prayer for Keith Godchaux -- for my money, the best keyboard player they ever had, and he was on board for their late '71 to '74 peak, plus the re-emergence. Great way for me to grow up in the early 70s. Paz, HF
Fare thee well
RIP DJG. Thank you.
Such a foxy lady every time I saw her perform
Most memorable was the Indy show 10/27/73. Donna was noticeably pregnant. During
GSET a large fellow crawled up on the stage while Donna was swaying & singing . Grateful Dead stage hand, likely Steve Parrish, walked across the stage to intercept the fellow from reaching Donna then led him gently off the stage. The song continued without skipping a beat!
Donna Jean
Very sad to hear this, I had met Donna on a trip to Marin County a few years back.
Singing with Elvis & The Grateful Dead....doesn't get any better than that. R.I.P.
Donna Jean memories
The only time I heard Donna sing lead was at Red Rocks 8/31/78 when she gave the first live performance of From the Heart of Me. She sang beautifully and the band's backing was really sweet too. On the soundboard recording, you can hear the band cheering her when they finish.
My other vivid memory was seeing her with the band in Denver on 11/20-21/73. She was over eight months pregnant and she looked absolutely radiant on stage.