Former Grateful Dead Vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay Dies After Long Fighting Cancer

JAKARTA - The music world mourns the loss of the figure of Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, the vocalist who had colored the Grateful Dead stage throughout the 1970s.

The singer, who was also the background voice for icons such as Elvis Presley and45 Sledge, died. He breathed his last at the age of 78.

According to an official statement, Godchaux-MacKay passed away on Sunday, November 2, after battling cancer that he had suffered for a long time. He died at Alive Hospice in Nashville.

"He is a sweet and beautiful soul with warmth, and everyone who knows him is united in losing," reads an official statement, quoted by Variety, Tuesday, November 4.

In an atmosphere of grief, the family asks for privacy for these times of mourning. Quoting the lyrics from the lyricist of Grateful Dead, Robert Hunter, the statement was closed with: "Hopefully the four wind (eyes) will fly it safely back home."

Meanwhile, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay was best known for her tenure with Grateful Dead from 1971 to 1979, where she co-existed with her husband at the time, Keith Godchaux, who was playing the keyboard.

During this golden period, her voice graced the seven band albums, starting from the set of live three Europe blacks and closed with the album Shakedown Street in 1978.

Godchaux is known for its GOspel-affected harmony contributions, and occasionally appears as the lead vocalist in songs such as Sunrise from the album Terapin Station (1977), or when performing the song You Ain't Woman Enough belonging to Lynn and Tororow is Forever written by Dolly Parton.

Outside of Grateful Dead, including his involvement in Keith and Donna Godchaux and the Heart of Gold Band His voice track was printed in a big hit. He vocals on unforgettable songs like Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds' and 'When a Man Loves a Woman' from45 Sledge.

Not only that, he also appeared on the recordings of other famous musicians, including Cher, Boz Scaggs, and co-founder of Grateful Dead, Bob Weir.

However, his presence at Grateful Dead is often a controversial figure. Openly, many fans don't really like his presence on stage. His high voice tone is considered often inconsistent with the sound band which tends to have roots in folk and rootsy.