Grateful Dead vocalist, who sang on big Elvis hit, dies at age 78

"Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, who sang with the Grateful Dead in 1970s as well as appeared on a number of hit records in the '60s, has died at the age of 78. The vocalist - who Deadheads simply refer to as "Donna Jean" - "passed away surrounded by her family on November 2, 2025, at Alive Hospice in Nashville after a lengthy struggle with cancer," according to a news release."

""She was a sweet and warmly beautiful spirit, and all those who knew her are united in loss," the release continues. "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.'""

"As the '60s came to a close, she relocated to California, where the vocalist - who sang in a mezzo-soprano range - would meet and later marry talented pianist Keith Godchaux. She'd also meet Jerry Garcia in 1971, which led to both her and Keith Godchaux joining the iconic vocalist-guitarist in the Grateful Dead. Singing mostly backing vocals behind Bob Weir and Garcia, with an occasional turn at lead, Godchaux-MacKay endeared herself with fans as she added harmonies to such Grateful Dead favorites as "Eyes of the World" and "Playing in the Band.""

Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay died on November 2, 2025, at age 78 at Alive Hospice in Nashville after a lengthy struggle with cancer. She was born Donna Jean Thatcher in Florence, Alabama on Aug. 22, 1947, and worked as a session singer in Muscle Shoals, singing on Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" and Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." She and pianist husband Keith Godchaux joined the Grateful Dead in 1971 and toured the U.S., Europe and Egypt through 1979. She contributed backing and occasional lead vocals, adding harmonies to songs such as "Eyes of the World" and "Playing in the Band." The family has requested privacy.

Read at The Mercury News