The Grateful Dead - Extra Chill Keyboardists Timeline (2023)

In the more than 30 years that the Grateful Dead have existed as a band, much of their core lineup has remained the same: they've hadjerry garciaon lead guitar, Bob Weir on rhythm guitar, Phil Lesh on bass and a combination of Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman on drums. Keyboardists, however, represent a very different story.

the band hadcincovarious keyboardists of his time; Four of them died tragically, and three of them died while still in the band.

This has led to the keyboard seat in the Grateful Dead being jokingly referred to as a "hot spot" by band members and fans alike, with some speculating that there might be some kind of curse to being the Grateful keyboardist. Dead.

While this unfortunate circumstance broke many hearts in the Grateful Dead family, the change in keyboardist roster also contributed to the development of themusic of the deadand allowed many different styles to find their way into the band's sound over the years.

Each keyboardist represents a different era for the band, with an ever-changing sound and dynamics that make diving into their live archives a much more satisfying experience.

So, without further ado, we bring you our official chronicle of the Grateful Dead's keyboardists, from the band's inception in 1965 to their last show in July 1995; a long and strange journey cut short by Jerry Garcia's death of a heart attack in rehab.

Read the history of the keyboard chair in the Grateful Dead and what each member contributed to the band's sound.

Ron "Schweinstall" McKernan (1965 - 1972)

The Grateful Dead's founding keyboardist was none other than Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, who according to Jerry's biographyDark StarIt was named after Pigpen frommisery.

While Jerry proved to be a reluctant leader as the band progressed, in the early days it could be argued that Pigpen was the main driving force behind The Dead's relaxed, blues-oriented sound.

In the late 1960s, when the band began to experiment with psychedelics and extensive interference, Pigpen avoided acid, opting instead to drink.

By 1971, Pigpen's drinking was starting to make him sick and prevented him from touring with the band. In 1971 he took a short break to get his health in order, and around this time Dead added Keith Godchaux to the piano lineup.

In December 1971 Pigpen returned, but his return was brief.

Pigpen and Keith joined the band at the famousEuropa Tour, which turned out to be Pigpen's last stand. By June 1972, his condition had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer play and left the band for good.

In March 1973, Pigpen was found dead in his home from gastrointestinal bleeding at the age of 27. He had drunk himself to death.

Tom Constanten (1968–1970)

Tom Constanten was an outlier in the history of the Grateful Dead and one of the few to escape the curse of the hot seat.

Constanten joined the band in 1968 and brought some psychedelic improvisation to the 1968 recording.hino do solyear 1969aoxomoxoa, and their beginnings of improvised jams.

He left The Dead on amicable terms in 1970, feeling that he did not contribute much to the band. His innovations on piano and harpsichord are said to have given the band the extra spice they needed to create songs like "Dark Star", which debuted during Tom's time with the band.

Ned Lagin (1970-1975)

An often overlooked Grateful Dead keyboardist is Ned Lagin, who played with the band sporadically between 1970 and 1971, but when Keith joined the band, Ned barely played with them until 1974 (onlya show1972). However, in the summer of 1974, Ned showed up to play with them at several shows.

Ned was into synthesizers and electronic music, and his contributions can be heard in some of the more experimental things they did with Wall of Sound, including "Seastones", which are sections of electronic white noise that resemble somethingWilcoI would try later.

Ned was also known to play between sets with Phil in what became known as "Ned and Phil" during the '74 tours.

The band also recorded some sessions for "Seastones" at drummer Mickey Hart's home studio, but these were presumably lost. There's an old blog called NedBase that really delves into Ned's little-known involvement with the dead. I hearon hereif you want to learn more.

Keith Godchaux (1971–1979)

As Pigpen's health continued to deteriorate and the Grateful Dead continued to research psychedelics, he was increasingly absent from the Keys.

So, the day after a concert, according to the 2017 documentarylong and strange journey, Keith Godchaux's wife Donna Jean Godchaux approached and introduced the band telling Jerry Garcia, "Keith is your new keyboard player."

Keith's first show with The Dead put him in place of Pigpen at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium on October 19, 1971, and on New Year's Eve in Winterland that year, the band invited him and Donna to join Grateful. Dead full time.

Keith was a classically trained pianist who brought his talent to the grand piano. He added detailed and intricate flourishes to the band's live sound, and contributions from him helped The Dead evolve into a more roots-rock-oriented sound in the '70s.

Keith's peak with the band was there1973and 1974 especially. After the Grateful Dead went on hiatus from touring in 1975, Keith continued to indulge in drug use.

When the band reached another big peak in 1977, Keith started to fall behind. He developed a heroin addiction and began using drugs to assuage the anxiety that came from the Dead's extensive touring schedule.

Over time, he lost his creativity and sometimes even fell asleep during shows, most notably in late 1978 and 1979. After a particularly difficult tour, The Dead sat down with Godchaux and kicked them out of the band.

After that, Godchaux formed the band Heart of Gold and released an album, but it was short-lived as Keith died in a car accident on July 23, 1980, just over a year after leaving the Grateful Dead. He is only the second Grateful Dead keyboardist to tragically die at a young age.

Brent Mydland (1979-1990)

After being a Deadhead in the 1960s and 1970s, Brent Mydland joined the Grateful Dead in April 1979. He met Bob Weir and joined the side project.Bobby and the Midnites, and this led to his invitation to join the dead.

He was previously a member of the country rock band Silver and contributed keyboards to their only self-titled album, released in 1976. He also composed the album's opening track."Musician (Not an Easy Life)".

Brent remained with the Grateful Dead until his death in 1990, making him the Grateful Dead's longest serving and perhaps most popular keyboardist. His first show with The Dead was on April 22, 1979 at Spartan Stadium in San Jose.

Brent's contribution to the band was varied. For one thing, he was only 26 years old when he joined the Grateful Dead, making him the youngest member of the band (five years younger than Bobby). He brought a youthful energy and lent the song a bit of extra momentum that launched the band into the changing musical atmosphere of the 80s.

Eschewing the traditional grand piano in favor of electric keyboards and synthesizers, Mydland gave the song an electronic feel.

Brent was also a fantastic singer and over the years he became more comfortable in the vocalist role. He wrote songs like "Blow Away" and "Easy To Love You", which became staples of The Dead's live catalog in the late '80s, and he was particularly strong on the choruses.

His Jerry Garcia riffs, both vocally and instrumentally, are one of the best things that could have happened to The Dead over time.difficult yearsmid-1980s onwards The two shared a musical connection and understanding not exactly present during the Keith years.

Brent's heyday with the Grateful Dead came in 1989-90, when the band experienced its final rebirth. Jerry cleaned up most of his show and some of that old magic came back. Brent himself struggled with substance abuse and depression, which came in waves over the years, but he also seems to have recovered somewhat in the last couple of years.

Things were looking up after a strong summer tour in 1990, but Brent's tenure with The Dead ended tragically with his death on July 26, 1990, aged 37. He accidentally overdosed on a mix of heroin and cocaine, just three. Days after Dead ended its summer tour.

His last show with the band was on July 23, 1990 at the World Music Theater in Tinley Park, IL.

Enjoy great synergy from Jerry and Brent on the 7/7/89 "Ramble On Rose" below, officially released as part ofpurple, white and indigoem 2010.

Bruce Hornsby - (1990 - 1992)

Bruce Hornsby was another Grateful Dead fan given the chance to join the band. He is an established musician, best known for the 1986 hit "The Way It Is" (which later became even more famous when TupacI triedEm 1998).

Hornsby first appeared with The Dead at the Rainforest Benefit at Madison Square Garden in September 1988 and joined the boys for a rock set."Don't Fade". Thereafter, he occasionally sat with the dead whenever possible, and in 1990 he officially joined for 18 months after Brent's death, contributing keyboards and accordion.

He finally left the band in March 1992, rejoining them occasionally until the end of the road was reached in 1995.

Bruce's piano contributions in the 1990s are considered by many to be some of the band's only shining moments during this period. Some even say there aren't many post-Brent shows worth listening to other than Bruce, who managed to avoid the bank curse and is still alive today.

Vince Welnick (1990-1995)

When Brent Mydland died in 1990, the Grateful Dead held auditions for a new keyboard player. Many would argue that the band should have taken the time to regroup after Brent's death, but the truth is that the Grateful Dead have now become a machine that employs hundreds of people who rely on it to continue touring for the best Bills.

There was immense pressure to find a new keyboardist and get back on the road and they did just that. Vince was chosen over some of the other candidates, presumably because he was able to provide the vocal support the band was looking for in the absence of Brent, who was a notable singer.

Vince stayed with the Grateful Dead until 1995, when Garcia died and all the machines shut down.

Six months later, while on tour with Bob Weir & Rat Dog, he attempted suicide on the tour bus. He had been diagnosed with cancer and emphysema in 1994 and had struggled with depression and Jerry's death in such a short time.

About ten years later, after an ongoing battle with depression, Vince Welnick was found dead in his home in June 2006 after an apparent suicide. He was 51 years old.

I don't want to end here on a sad note, with the ruination of the Grateful Dead's keyboardists, so I want to share the Dead's performance of "Eyes of the World" on June 17, 1991 at Giants Stadium.

This was the first and only time they opened with this song and this version features Bruce Hornsby and Vince Welnick onstage. it is29.03.90a run for your money.