Keith & Donna (Godchaux) - 1975 album
Donna Jean Godchaux, who was best known for singing with the Grateful Dead from 1972 until 1979, recently passed away at age 78 after battling cancer. Donna joined the Grateful Dead as a backup singer shortly after her late husband Keith Godchaux became the band's keyboardist in 1971. Keith's keyboard playing shifted the Dead in a different musical direction than before, as his influences were based on jazz and classical styles, in contrast to his predecessor Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, whose style was more blues-based. Donna certainly added something different to the Dead as well, having been their only official female member ever. Donna had previously worked as a studio session vocalist, notably having sung on Elvis' "Suspicious Minds" and Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman". Despite her impressive credentials, Donna was not a great fit for the Grateful Dead, especially during their live shows, where her vocal pitch (and occasional waili...
