The Grateful Dead lost another band member this week. Donna Jean Godchaux joined the band in the early 70s when her husband Keith became their piano player and left the group in 1979. Her contribution to the band was her singing and it was polarizing. I think most fans would agree that she added some beautiful vocals to some of the great tunes from the 70s (Scarlet Begonia and The Music Never Stopped come to mind), but her performances live could often be a major buzz kill. More than one Playin' in the Band was tanked due to her wailing. Nevertheless, she was in the band and is tied karmically to all the world’s Deadheads.

RIP Donna