EVER GRATEFUL

The Baltimore Sun

DONNA JEAN & THE TRICKSTERS / / (With opening act 39 Cents a Gallon) 7 p.m. tomorrow, 8x10, 10 East Cross St., Federal Hill. $15-$17. 410-625-2000, ticketmaster.com or the8x10.com

Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay

Born:

Aug. 22, 1947, Sheffield, Ala.

Home:

Florence, Ala.

Career:

Recorded background vocals with Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge, Cher, Boz Scaggs, Otis Redding and Dionne Warwick

Former bands:

The Grateful Dead (1971-79), the Keith and Donna Band (1975), the Ghosts (1979-80), the Heart of Gold Band (1980s-1990s), Donna Jean Band (1990s), Zero (1980s-1990s)

Family:

husband, bassist David Mackay, 56; sons, Zion Rock Godchaux, musician, 33; Jonathan Kinsman Mackay, musician, 24

Honors:

Member, Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Some of the songs she's still performing from the Dead repertoire:

"Bird Song," "Cassidy," "Let Me Sing Your Blues Away," "Sunrise," "Ship of Fools"

What she did during the Dead's long instrumental jams:

"I listened -- intently. I had to know by osmosis what was going to happen next. I had to feel it and be there with them. I never knew when I was going to go back onstage."

On still singing at 59:

"It's a blessing. ... Rock 'n' roll keeps me from knitting."

Copyright © 2021, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Place an Ad
72°