Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Grateful Dead Singer, Dies at 78

Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, a former vocalist with the Grateful Dead, has died. She was 78.

Godchaux-MacKay died Sunday, Nov. 2, at Alive Hospice in Nashville “after a lengthy struggle with cancer,” according to a statement from her family obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

“She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss. The family requests privacy at this time of grieving. In the words of Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, ‘May the four winds blow her safely home,’” the family added.

Born Donna Jean Thatcher on Aug. 22, 1947, in Florence, Alabama, Godchaux-MacKay was best known as a vocalist for the famous rock band from 1972 to 1979, contributing harmonies and occasional lead vocals for the Grateful Dead.

Before that, she was a Muscle Shoals session singer in the 1960s in Alabama, and was a backup singer on hit songs for Percy Sledge (“When a Man Loves a Woman”) and Elvis Presley (“Suspicious Minds”). Godchaux-MacKay’s voice as a studio singer can also be heard on recordings by Boz Scaggs, Cher, Neil Diamond and Duane Allman.

In 1970, she married pianist Keith Godchaux and both joined the Grateful Dead two years later after Godchaux-MacKay introduced herself to Jerry Garcia. They toured America, Europe and beyond with the band until 1979.

In 1975, the couple released the album Keith & Donna, which featured Garcia on guitar. After they left the Grateful Dead, the couple formed the Heart of Gold Band. But that was short-lived as Godchaux died on July 23, 1980 due to a car crash.

Godchaux-MacKay eventually married bassist David MacKay. And in 1981. she returned to Muscle Shoals and remained busy performing with the Donna Jean Godchaux Band alongside MacKay.

Godchaux-MacKay is survived by MacKay, her son Kinsman MacKay and his wife Molly, her son Zion Godchaux and his son Delta, her sister Gogi Clark and her brother Ivan Thatcher.