Keith Godchaux
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Keith Godchaux (July 19, 1948 – 23 July, 1980) was a musician best known for having been a member of the rock group Grateful Dead.
Keith was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Concord, California. Keith met and married Donna Jean Godchaux in 1970.
The couple introduced themselves at a Jerry Garcia concert in October 1971. At the time Keith had been appearing with Dave Mason (formerly of Traffic). He was also known to Betty Cantor-Jackson, a Grateful Dead sound engineer. He joined the band shortly afterwards, remaining a member until February 1979. The precise circumstances of his leaving is disputed, although it is agreed that heavy drug use on both sides of the rift triggered the departure. Keith was replaced by Brent Mydland later in 1979.
Keith played provocative, jazz-influenced piano during his tenure with the Dead—spurring some of their most adventurous group improvisations of that era. During their membership in the Grateful Dead, the couple also issued the mostly self-written Keith and Donna album in 1975 with Jerry Garcia as a Keith and Donna Band member. In turn, they performed as part of the Jerry Garcia Band. Keith also appeared with the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Subsequently, Keith co-wrote songs with Lowell George (of Little Feat) and Robert Hunter.
Keith and Donna's son Zion was born in 1974.
After the Grateful Dead, they formed The Heart of Gold Band.
Keith died in an automobile accident in Marin County, California, in 1980.
