NEW YORK -- Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, a soulful mezzo-soprano who provided backing vocals on such 1960s classics as "Suspicious Minds" and "When a Man Loves a Woman" and was a featured singer with the Grateful Dead for much of the 1970s, has died at 78. A spokesperson for Godchaux-MacKay confirmed that she died Sunday at Alive Hospice in Nashville after having cancer. Godchaux-McKay and other Grateful Dead members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
No, that's not a colony of beautiful space aliens from Planet Claire descending upon the nearest amphitheater to entertain us. Bleep bloop: It's the B-52's. Despite initially teasing a retirement from touring back in 2022, the band has decided to reverse course and get their wigs back into fighting shape. Together with fellow pioneers of weird Devo - a misunderstood kinship they're more than happy to highlight - the two acts will fuse together for a double bill they're branding as the Cosmic De-Evolution Tour,
We are deeply saddened about the passing of Les and send our love to his family, friends and fans. The acclaimed drumming he provided was first class - demonstrating his unique techniques, flair, style and precision. Thank you Les - your acclaim will live on...