Brent Mydland
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Brent Mydland (October 21, 1952 – July 26, 1990) was the fourth keyboardist in the history of the United States rock band Grateful Dead. He was with the Dead for 11 years and, despite being often referred to as 'the new guy', was with the band for a longer time than any other keyboardist.
Born in Munich, Germany as the child of a U. S. Army chaplain, Mydland was moved to San Francisco, California at the age of one.
He joined the Grateful Dead in 1979 after a session with a Bob Weir solo project, and replaced keyboard player Keith Godchaux, who had been dismissed from the band earlier that year. Mydland quickly became an integral part of the group, not least because of his songwriting contributions, of which Godchaux had almost none.
Go To Heaven (1980) featured two of Mydland's songs, Far From Me and Easy To Love You, the second of which had been written with frequent Weir collaborator John Perry Barlow. On the next album In The Dark (1987) Mydland co-wrote the defiant favorite Hell In A Bucket with Weir and Barlow, and also penned train song Tons of Steel. Built To Last (1989) featured several more of Mydland's works, most notably the moody Just A Little Light and the poignant I Will Take You Home, written with Barlow for his two daughters.
After joining, Mydland easily fit in to the band's sound and added his own contributions. His high vocal harmonies and emotional leads gave the band singing strength, and highlighted several old favorites like Cassidy and covers like Traffic's Dear Mr. Fantasy. Mydland enjoyed the organ and several other experimental tones, whereas in concert, his predecessor had usually preferred his piano.
Mydland died of a drug overdose after taking a speedball at his home on "My Road" in Lafayette, California, on July 26, 1990, shortly after completing the band's summer tour. He was replaced by Vince Welnick on synthesizers and vocals, and, for a short time, temporary fill-in Bruce Hornsby on grand piano. A nice tribute page to Brent can be found at http://www.brentmydland.net .
