Donna Jean Godchaux
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Donna Jean Thatcher |
| Born | August 22, 1945 Sheffield, Alabama, United States |
| Origin | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Associated acts | Donna Jean and the Tricksters, Grateful Dead |
| Website | www.donnajeanandthetricksters.com |
Donna Jean (Thatcher) Godchaux-MacKay (born August 22, 1945) is an American singer best known for having been a member of the rock group Grateful Dead.
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[edit] Biography
Donna Jean was born in Sheffield, Alabama. Prior to 1970, she had worked as a session singer[1] in Muscle Shoals, appearing on songs by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding.[2] She met fellow Grateful Dead member Keith Godchaux and they married in 1970.[3]
The couple introduced themselves at a Jerry Garcia concert in October 1971. At the time, Donna Jean was not working as a musician. She joined the band shortly afterwards, remaining a member until February 1979. The precise circumstances of her leaving is disputed, although it is agreed that heavy drug use on both sides of the rift with the failing relationship with her husband Keith triggered the departure.
Donna Jean provided back-up and lead vocals in the group's music. During their membership in the Grateful Dead, the couple also issued the mostly self-written Keith and Donna album in 1975 with Jerry Garcia as a Keith and Donna Band member. In turn, they performed as part of the Jerry Garcia Band.
Keith and Donna's son, Zion "Rock" Godchaux, of BoomBox was born in 1974.
After the Grateful Dead, the couple started The Heart of Gold Band.
Donna did not perform again with any Grateful Dead band members until after the death of Jerry Garcia. Shortly after her husband's death in 1980, Donna Jean turned to religion.[4] She married bassist Dave MacKay and the couple moved to Florence, Alabama to work at the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios.
Donna Jean has re-entered the music scene after joining with Jeff Mattson (former Phil Lesh and Friends, Zen Tricksters) and Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, Ratdog) to form Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue, now known as Donna Jean and the Tricksters.[5] [6] She occasionally makes guest appearances with Bob Weir & Ratdog, Zero & Steve Kimock and Dark Star Orchestra.
Donna Jean was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead.[7] She continues to reside in Florence, Alabama, and remains an active member of the Muscle Shoals music scene when not touring with the Tricksters.
[edit] Discography
- Keith and Donna Godchaux – Keith and Donna Godchaux – 1975
- Playing in the Heart of Gold Band – The Ghosts – 1984
- The Heart of Gold Band – The Heart of Gold Band – 1986
- Donna Jean – The Donna Jean Band – 1998
- At the Table – The Heart of Gold Band – 2004
- Donna Jean and the Tricksters – Donna Jean and the Tricksters – 2008
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Sprovtsoff-Mangus, Rachel. Donna Jean Godchaux biography on All Music Guide
- ^ Donna Jean Godchaux discography on DeadDisc.com
- ^ Sprovtsoff-Mangus, Rachel. Keith Godchaux biography on All Music Guide
- ^ Donna Jean (Godchaux) MacKay interview by David Gans, The Truth and Fun Literary Archive, March 28, 1998
- ^ Metzger, John. "Donna Jean Finds Her Groove: An Interview with Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay", The Music Box, January 29, 2008
- ^ Donna Jean Godchaux Grateful to Sing Again SFGate San Francisco Chronicle , Retrieved June 4, 2008
- ^ The Grateful Dead on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame web site
