Happy Birthday Donna Godchaux!

The sometimes good, mostly off-key, singer for the Grateful Dead from 1972 to 1979 celebrates her 56th Birthday today.

 

Hey Mike,

Was that a sincere Birthday wish or an insult!

-Jeffrey

 

It was a sincere Birthday Wish, and a hidden "insult".

You have to admit that Donna live was more akin to someone "squeezing a cat real hard" instead of "singing".

I still have a great affinity for the Keith and Donna years - since my first Dead shows were during that period 1976 - 1977. Since I saw so many Dead shows with Keith and Donna it was still strange even into the late 80's to see Brent on keys!

 

Hi Mike,

Was that a sincere insult or a sexual innuendo?

-Jeffrey

 

I like Donna. She wasn't always off-key and I wonder how much of it was her fault and the fact that she didn't always have a monitor for herself. She also sang backup for Elvis prior to being in the Dead, didn't she? I doubt Elvis would allow a horrible singer in his fold.

I was listening to 5/5/1977 Sugaree this morning and her singing is quite divine.

 

I know... just it seemed she was off-key more than not. And yes she did sing backup for Elvis and others prior to joining the Dead.

I read that not being a live singer (mostly studio) prior to joining the Dead, the reason she would sing off-key is because she could not hear herself over the loud music (basically what was infered by "she didn't always have a monitor for herself").

 

I thought she had died!

 

Actually, her husband Keith Godchaux died in a car accident shortly after leaving The Dead. Maybe that was what you were thinking of.

 

I knew that. I had heard she O/D'd a couple of years later. Glad to hear it wasn't true.

 

Now there's a ringing endorsement...

 

Hi Larry,

That rumor was far from reality........... Donna was not known to do the kinda drugs that people OD from.......... Keith however.

-Jeffrey

 

Hi Peter,

Please don't downplay it.............. it's the best one so far!

-Jeffrey

 

From:
http://www.deaddisc.com/disc/3614_Jackson_Highway_Extended.htm

3614 Jackson Highway (Extended CD release)

Cher

Rhino Handmade CD RHM2-7733


Donna Thatcher (Donna Jean Godchaux) provided backing vocals on tracks on the original 3614 Jackson Highway LP which was released in 1969. The original release is presented as the first 11 tracks on this CD. Donna is not involved on the other tracks.

The musicians involved on the original LP included;
Barry Beckett - keyboards
Jeannie Greene - background vocals
Roger Hawkins - drums
Eddie Hinton - guitar
Mary Holiday - background vocals
David Hood - bass
Jimmy Johnson - guitar
Sue Pilkington - background vocals
Donna Thatcher - background vocals

 

How did know it was her b-day? This is the most obscure b-day thread yet.

 

Hi,

Not if ya like The Grateful Dead!

-Jeffrey

 

Peace-
Norm

 

A few Donna shots:




And with Jerry:



ED