Band: The Doors. During the band's early days, he was considered its heart and soul. [51] McKernan rejoined the band in December 1971[25] to supplement Godchaux on harmonica, percussion, and organ. Ronald Charles McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973), known as "Pigpen", was an American singer and musician. On the follow-up album American Beauty, keyboard parts were handled by Garcia and Lesh, along with session musicians Howard Wales and Ned Lagin. Grateful Dead - Wikipedia In the fall of 1968, the Dead played some concerts without Weir and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan. He was a founding member of the San Francisco band the Grateful Dead and played in the group from 1965 to 1972. [63], Ladies and Gentlemen... the Grateful Dead, History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear's Choice), Steppin' Out with the Grateful Dead: England '72, Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings, Family Dog at the Great Highway, San Francisco, CA 4/18/70, 30 Trips Around the Sun: The Definitive Live Story 1965–1995, Shrine Exposition Hall, Los Angeles, CA 11/10/1967, "Grateful Dead Guide: The Vox and the Hammond, 1967-1969", "Grateful Dead Live at Fillmore West on 1970-08-19", "The Grateful Dead Did Get It: Reporters and Cops", "45 Years Ago: The Grateful Dead's Infamous 'Truckin, "Blair's Golden Road Blog - The Keyboardist Question - Grateful Dead", Pigpen's page on the Dead's Official Site, Top 10 Pigpen McKernan Grateful Dead Songs, Winterland June 1977: The Complete Recordings, July 29 1966, P.N.E. Garcia was impressed and McKernan became the blues singer in local jam sessions. As Beacham Journal reports, the young musician taught himself piano, guitar and harmonica while slowly growing a record collection of old blues 78s. Born on September 8, 1945 in San Bruno, California as Ronald Charles McKernan, the musician grew up listening to R&B and blues courtesy of his DJ father, Phil McKernan. [15][46] Ironically, McKernan was arrested and fined after the cannabis bust on November 9, 1967, at 710 Ashbury Street, the Dead's communal home, even though he did not use the drug. Cause of death Respect to the player but I thought he was an alcoholic as hinted at in the text. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. [43][a], He developed a close friendship with fellow keyboardist Tom Constanten based on their mutual aversion to psychedelics[22] and eventually served as best man at Constanten's first wedding. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Barry McGuire fell into these traps. [16], In October 1968, McKernan and Weir were nearly fired from the band after Garcia and Lesh believed their playing was holding the band back from lengthy and experimental jamming. While he was a very heavy drinker (the rest of the group preferred getting high, per Ultimate Classic Rock), McKernan had given up alcohol by 1972 as his health declined. If that is the case he did not necesariliy suffer from cogenital liver … [54] He subsequently broke off all personal relationships with the band, explaining "I don't want you around when I die. [56], Despite his outward image, friends and band biographers have described McKernan as a quiet, kind, and introspective person. Ron McKernan — better known as “Pigpen” — was born on Sept. 8, 1945, in San Bruno, Calif. His father was one of the first white rhythm and blues disc jockeys, and so McKernan grew up amidst black music and culture, which would influence him later on. On March 8, 1973, Ron McKernan died at age 27. About Ron "Pigpen" McKernan Ronald Charles McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973), known as Pigpen, was an American singer and musician. "[3] Kreutzmann said McKernan was "the sweetest guy anybody had ever met. He had a liver problem, but it was a burst doudenal ulcer which caused his death from internal bleeding. Producers Terry Allen Fraser and Diana Raquel Sainz are embarking on a feature film about the music and life of Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. The band's earliest sets centered around blues and R&B covers chosen by McKernan. There have been rumors that his death was a result of his excessive drinking, but in fact, his real cause of death was a rare and unrelated disease, as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock. He plays the harmonica, Hammond organ, singer, percussion and sometimes he plays the guitar. Producers Terry Allen Fraser and Diana Raquel Sainz are embarking on a feature film about the music and life of Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. He was buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto. [60] Jimmy Reed's "Big Boss Man", covered by the group on Grateful Dead (Skull and Roses) with McKernan singing lead, was revived by Garcia and performed occasionally through the 1980s and 90s. Above: Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan (1945-1973) photographed in 1972 (Image credit: Getty) The 80s began with new keyboard player Brent Mydland replacing Keith and Donna Godchaux, and the release of the patchy Go To Heaven album, whose cover made the group look like ageing New Romantics. Pigpen's love of the blues was equaled only by his love of alcohol, a demon he couldn't shake. [47] The event was covered in the first issue of Rolling Stone, where the reporter noted McKernan had a substantial rifle collection[48] and McKernan's picture appeared on a contemporary report in the San Francisco Chronicle. [29][30] Unlike fellow vocalists Garcia and Weir, he sang lead without playing any instrument except harmonica and actively interacted with the audience, occasionally walking out into the crowd. "[21] He began to take Hammond organ lessons and learned how to use the various drawbars and controls. Name: Jim Morrison. This included two songs recorded in 1964 with future Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. Official Sites. 'Pigpen' McKernan lived up to his name but he died at 27 of alcohol abuse Garcia was paid $125,000 by Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for the use of ‘Cherry Garcia’ By Caroline Howe For Dailymail.com From his biker good looks to his gruff, dusty voice, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan managed to work that combination into one of the '60s most encompassing jam bands. By the time he plays his last concert (June 17, 1972), he can only get through the first set. He was in bad shape in the months leading up to his death, as Dead.net reports; health issues forced a leave of absence from the band. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan from the grateful dead died at age 27...just look at those names we all mentioned and imagine the band they could form...wow thats kinda sad...no its really sad ... Name: Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Ronald C. “Pigpen” Mckernan the founder member of Grateful Dead band, was born September 8, 1945. A lifetime of alcoholism combined with hepatitis he contracted during the band's 1972 European tour severely damaged Pigpen's health. He initially played an indeterminate Farfisa combo organ[26] before switching to the more elaborate Vox Continental[2] in 1966. McKernan's developing passion for music eventually landed him a job at Dana Morgan's Music Store in Palo Alto, where, age 14, he met Garcia. McKernan struggled to keep up with the changing music, causing the group to hire keyboardist Tom Constanten, with McKernan's contributions essentially limited to vocals, harmonica, and percussion from November 1968 to January 1970. Band: Grateful Dead. As years went on, The Dead adopted a different musical tone after Pigpen's death, something that leaned closer to jazz. "[18] Weir promised to improve, but McKernan was more stubborn. Bassist Phil Lesh joined soon after, and they became the Grateful Dead. McKernan rejoined the band in December 1971 to supplement … According to Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been, biographer Michele Hollow tells us that one of McKernan's former girlfriends might've given him the nickname based on the perpetually-dirty character in Charles Schultz's Peanuts comics. He started playing blues organ, harmonica, and providing vocals, beginning with the Zodiacs and Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions, as Beacham Journal tells us. Charlie." Little is known about his family or early life. The Bay Area native … Even with their tendency toward wild experimentation, he kept those blues roots strong. [37], Tony Sclafani has compared McKernan's role in the band, initially strong and pivotal but gradually declining, to that of Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones, particularly since both men were primarily influenced by the blues over rock 'n' roll and died aged 27. Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan Ron McKernan, better known as Pigpen, was born in 1945 in California. About Ron "Pigpen" McKernan Ronald Charles McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973), known as Pigpen, was an American singer and musician. Like his one-time love interest Janis Joplin, Pigpen died at 27. Garden Aud., Vancouver Canada, Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, Washington, D.C., July 12 & 13, 1989, Pacific Northwest '73–'74: The Complete Recordings, Pacific Northwest '73–'74: Believe It If You Need It, Playing in the Band, Seattle, Washington, 5/21/74, The Warfield, San Francisco, California, October 9 & 10, 1980, Skeletons from the Closet: The Best of Grateful Dead, Dead Zone: The Grateful Dead CD Collection (1977–1987), All the Years Combine: The DVD Collection, Dead Ringers: The Making of Touch of Grey, Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead 1987 Tour, Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead, Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead, The Music Never Stopped: Roots of the Grateful Dead, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ron_%22Pigpen%22_McKernan&oldid=991542684, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 November 2020, at 16:37. Discussion on rec.music.gdead about all this 13 Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Pigpen also made a name for himself by speaking directly to the audience during live shows, sizing up to be much more of a traditional frontman than Jerry Garcia. At the height of the Grateful Dead 's breakout success in the early 1970s, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan served as a driving force behind the jam band's legendary acclaim. His mother, Esther Elvera McKernan was born January 5, 1917, died October 16, 1989. Around 1965, McKernan urged the rest of the Warlocks to switch to electric instruments. [9], Along with Garcia and second guitarist Bob Weir, McKernan was a participant in the predecessor groups leading to the formation of the Grateful Dead, beginning with the Zodiacs and Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions. [17] Garcia delegated the task of firing them to Rock Scully, who said that McKernan "took it hard. On March 8, 1973, Ron McKernan died at age 27. Hart later said "Pigpen was the musician in the Grateful Dead. By 1971, his health had been affected by alcoholism and liver damage and doctors advised him to stop touring. On the bootleg, McKernan played acoustic guitar and piano, instruments he seldom used with the Dead. [23] While Garcia expressed frustration at McKernan's missed rehearsals and his inability to keep up with new material,[24] Lesh was more forgiving, opining that "it was okay for Pigpen to lay out ... we kept wanting Pigpen to be there because he was 'one of us. [22], After Constanten's departure in January 1970 over musical and lifestyle differences, McKernan nominally resumed keyboard duties. When Phil Lesh joined, the five-piece solidified as the Grateful Dead. He also revived the 1960s standard "Big Boy Pete", originally sung by McKernan, as a one-off in 1985. Although Pigpen was no longer a member of the Dead, it's safe to say that his former bandmates were devastated. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Today would have been Ron “Pigpen” McKernan’s 74th birthday had the founding Grateful Dead member not died in 1973 at the age of 27 due to complications from Crohn’s disease. https://www.geni.com/people/Ron-Pigpen-McKernan/6000000034842914770 Steve Parish claims Pigpen and his brother both died from complications of Crohn's disease. One joined the “27 Club” and the other left the drugs behind when he put his faith in Christ. [50] Pianist Keith Godchaux was subsequently hired and remained a regular member of the Grateful Dead until 1979. Charlie." After singing blues at local jam sessions, as Oswego University reports, Pigpen became a founding member of Garcia's jam bands, joining in 1961 in the predecessor groups that would lead to the Grateful Dead. The son of one of the first white rhythm and blues disk jockeys, McKernan grew up around music. Would have been a great outlet for the more edgy blues the boys got back into in the 80s. The song appeared on the live album Europe '72, his last with the group. [32] When the Grateful Dead appeared at Woodstock, the band's set (which was marred by technical problems and general chaos and described as one of their worst shows) ended with "Turn On Your Love Light". He was the band's original frontman as well as playing harmonica and electric organ, but Garcia and bassist Phil Lesh's influences on the band became increasingly stronger as they embraced psychedelic rock. Year: 1973. After he was hospitalized in August 1971, doctors requested that he stop touring indefinitely. During the band's early days, he was considered its heart and soul. Pianist Keith Godchauxwas subsequently hired and remained a regular member of the Grateful Dead until 1979. Ron was the son of Esther Elvera (Nelson) and Phillip Charles McKernan, a disc jockey. Band: Grateful Dead. McKernan played around with decidedly cooler-sounding names, first dubbing himself "Blue Ron," before going for "Pigpen." [62], McKernan was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Official Sites. The Alta … [4] As a youth, he taught himself blues piano, guitar and harmonica[5] and developed a biker culture image. [58][59] Weir began singing "Good Lovin'" with the Dead in 1973, and the group recorded the song on 1978's Shakedown Street. Discover the real story, facts, and details of Ron Pigpen McKernan. [54][b] Garcia spoke at his funeral, saying "After Pigpen's death we all knew this was the end of the original Grateful Dead". Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann were eventually inducted into the lineup, which led to the band rebranding as The Warlocks. Co-founding member of the Grateful Dead Ron “Pigpen” McKernan sadly passed away on this date in 1973 at the young age of 27. Pigpen was born Ron McKernan on September 8, 1945 in Palo Alto, California, where he also grew up. McKernan moved to Palo Alto, California, with his family, where he became friends with musician Jerry Garcia at the age of 14. found: Wikipedia, September 15, 2017 (Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Ronald Charles McKernan, born September 8, 1945 in San Bruno, California; died March 8, 1973 in Corte Madera, California; founding member of the San Francisco band the Grateful Dead and played in the group from 1965 to 1972) He took on early management duties in the band, ensuring they would be paid and promoted properly for gigs. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan was the first member of the Grateful Dead to pass away. Definition.org quotes Garcia at McKernan's funeral: "After Pigpen's death we all knew this was the end of the original Grateful Dead. Above: Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan (1945-1973) photographed in 1972 (Image credit: Getty) The 80s began with new keyboard player Brent Mydland replacing Keith and Donna Godchaux, and the release of the patchy Go To Heaven album, whose cover made the group look like ageing New Romantics. His father was a rhythm and blues disk jockey, so Pigpen got exposed to that type of music at an early age. [14][15] In 1967, drummer Mickey Hart joined the Grateful Dead, followed by classically trained keyboardist Tom Constanten in 1968, further changing the group's style. Band: The Doors. He was a founding member of the San Francisco band the Grateful Dead and played in the group from 1965 to 1972. [38], McKernan was close friends with American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin due to common musical influences and lifestyles, particularly a shared love of alcohol over other drugs;[39] a poster from the early 1970s showed them together at 710 Ashbury. [11][12], The Dead's early sets centered around blues and R&B covers chosen by McKernan. Founding vocalist and keyboard player Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan, a heavy drinker, died of liver failure in 1973. One day in February 1973, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan got out of bed in his apartment in Corte Madera, California, where he’d recently been spending most … He was a founding member of "Grateful … [49], In the early years of the Grateful Dead, McKernan was easily recognisable by his biker image, making him a minor celebrity. Ron McKernan was born on September 8, 1945 in San Bruno, California, USA as Ronald Charles McKernan. 1724, citing Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave . On March 8, 1973, Ron McKernan died at age 27. McKernan played his final concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 17, 1972. McKernan sang, and played organ and harmonica. (The Dead's website extrapolates on its meaning, insisting that the nickname came from his "funky approach to life and sanitation."). Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Ronald C. “Pigpen” McKernan (8 Sep 1945–8 Mar 1973), Find a Grave Memorial no. The vocalist and keyboardist proved responsible for the band's blues-based tone, even taking over singing duties on tunes such as "Turn on Your Lovelight," "Alligator," "Big Boss Man," and "Mr. He made his final concert appearance on June 17, 1972, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. 45 years ago today, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan took the stage with the Grateful Dead for the final time. [3] He built up a substantial collection of old blues 78s from labels such as Kent and Chess. [19][20] Following his discharge from the United States Air Force in November 1968, Constanten officially joined the band, having only worked in the studio while on leave up to that point. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan from the grateful dead died at age 27...just look at those names we all mentioned and imagine the band they could form...wow thats kinda sad...no its really sad ... Name: Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. [56] McKernan was buried at the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, California. The band’s members also included Jerry Garcia, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir. Ron McKernan was born on September 8, 1945 in San Bruno, California, USA as Ronald Charles McKernan. Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan Ron McKernan, better known as Pigpen, was born in 1945 in California. [10] Drummer Bill Kreutzmann was added and the band evolved into the Warlocks. "[31], McKernan achieved a new prominence in 1969 covering "Turn On Your Love Light"; initially introduced in 1967, the song gradually evolved into the band's show-stopping finale, often taking fifteen to thirty minutes to complete. [27] During Tom Constanten's tenure with the group, McKernan occasionally played his bandmate's double-manual Vox Super Continental on select songs (most notably "Death Don't Have No Mercy") through May 1969. [17] He went from contributing to every song and singing lead on all of side two of 1968's Anthem of the Sun to little more than sporadic appearances on the following year's Aoxomoxoa. Even with their tendency toward wild experimentation, he kept those blues roots strong. Born in California on September 8, … ", The Tragic Death Of Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan. [27] With the exception of select acoustic sets in 1970 in which he played acoustic upright piano,[28] he used the Hammond exclusively thereafter. The group were keen to involve McKernan in the band, as he was the group's original leader and was considered the best singer and frontman. He composed the infrequently performed "Operator" for 1970's American Beauty. A new feature film about the life of Grateful Dead founding member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, "Pigpen…a blues singer," is in the works. Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Barry McGuire fell into these traps. McKernan's alcohol abuse had begun to affect his health by his mid twenties. Cause of death: alcohol. Ron "Pigpen" McKernan was the first member of the Grateful Dead to pass away. The cause of death was undetermined. "[55], On March 8, 1973, aged 27, he was found dead of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage at his home in Corte Madera, California, by his landlady. Musician. "[34][35], McKernan was not a prolific songwriter, preferring to concentrate on blues covers and improvised lyrics. McKernan was the first of the Dead's founding members to suggest they form a band, and his life-long infatuation with … Charlie." On March 8, 1973, Ron McKernan died at age 27. At the height of the Grateful Dead 's breakout success in the early 1970s, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan served as a driving force behind the jam band's legendary acclaim. By the early 1970s, he also began to experience symptoms of congenital primary biliary cholangitis, a rare autoimmune disease which was unrelated to his use of alcohol. The Contra Costa County coroner's office said an autopsy would be performed today and the results would … ... Two years after her death, her brother came out to the public stating that he believes it was her eating disorder that killed her. Born in San Bruno, California, he was a vocalist, organist and harmonica player best known for being a member of The Grateful Dead. The 1971 live album Grateful Dead featured three overdubbed organ parts from Merl Saunders in addition to McKernan's contributions on "Big Railroad Blues", "The Other One", and "Me & Bobby McGee". But unlike Joplin, Pigpen's passing was actually due to congenital biliary cirrhosis, a rare autoimmune disease that is unrelated to alcohol use. "[57], Weir later became influenced by McKernan's ability to work a crowd and improvise lyrics. [45] While his bandmates and friends were using cannabis, LSD, and other hallucinogenic drugs, McKernan preferred alcoholic beverages such as Thunderbird and Southern Comfort. The son of one of the first white rhythm and blues disk jockeys, McKernan grew up around music. After the pair had played in various folk and jug bands, McKernan suggested they form an electric group, which became the Grateful Dead. The combination of Crohn's and alcoholism would make a lot more sense than an otherwise healthy 27 year old drinking himself to death. Although manager Rock Scully alleged that McKernan passed out in front of his Hammond organ at one show during this period, Garcia biographer Blair Jackson has lauded the quality and frequency of his instrumental contributions on the Europe '72 tour. In light of the horrible tragedy in Little Rock on Sunday with the death of a young man of 24 years of age, I wanted to warn other young people of the dangers of alcohol and drugs. McKernan's landlady found his body at his home in Corte Madera, California, on March 8, 1973. At the height of the Grateful Dead's breakout success in the early 1970s, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan served as a driving force behind the jam band's legendary acclaim. [6], McKernan began spending time around coffeehouses and music stores, and worked at Dana Morgan's Music Store in Palo Alto with Garcia. But unlike Joplin, Pigpen's passing was actually due to congenital biliary cirrhosis, a rare autoimmune disease that is unrelated to alcohol use. A founding member of the band The Grateful Dead, Ron McKernan, known affectionately by the band and Deadheads alike as “Pigpen,” was a piano and harmonica player on the San Francisco music scene. McKernan was found dead of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage on March 8, 1973, aged 27, and is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto. [4] During the band's first year when they played straightforward blues, McKernan performed the majority of lead vocals, attracting an early audience that came specifically to see him sing and play harmonica. He continued to be a frontman in concert for some numbers, including his interpretations of Bobby Bland's "Turn On Your Love Light" and the Rascals' "Good Lovin'". Like his one-time love interest Janis Joplin, Pigpen died at 27. Ron McKernan died on March 6, 1973, in Corte Madera, California, USA of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Constanten often replaced McKernan on keyboards in the studio, as McKernan found it difficult to adapt to the new material that Garcia and Lesh composed for the band. Voice Type: Baritone Vocal Range: E♭2-E5 Associated Acts: Grateful Dead (1965-1972) Ron McKernan better known as his nickname "Pigpen" was the cofounder, organist and occasional percusionst from american band Grateful Dead since the beginning until his death at just 27 years old (It's considerate he belongs to "The 27 Club" too, altough not so famous as other musicians from that age … No cause of death has been listed, but Wales suffered a medical emergency on December 6th and was rushed to the hospital where he died on the 7th. Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan died on March 8, 1975. [13] By the end of 1966, Garcia had improved his musical skills, changing the band's direction and reducing McKernan's contributions. A new feature film about the life of Grateful Dead founding member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, "Pigpen…a blues singer," is in the works. He was a member of the rock band Grateful Dead, in which he sung and played the keybord. Road manager Jon McIntire commented that "Pigpen was relegated to the congas at that point and it was really humiliating and he was really hurt, but he couldn't show it, couldn't talk about it. A founding member of the band The Grateful Dead, Ron McKernan, known affectionately by the band and Deadheads alike as “Pigpen,” was a piano and harmonica player on the San Francisco music scene. One day in February 1973, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan got out of bed in his apartment in Corte Madera, California, where he’d recently been spending most … Where is Ron Pigpen McKernan grave? 'Pigpen' McKernan lived up to his name but he died at 27 of alcohol abuse Garcia was paid $125,000 by Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for the use of ‘Cherry Garcia’ By Caroline Howe For Dailymail.com Buried: Palo Alto, CA. [61], "He's Gone", originally appearing on the live album Europe '72, subsequently became a eulogy to McKernan by his former bandmates. He began socializing around the San Francisco Bay Area, becoming friends with Jerry Garcia. Buried: Palo Alto, CA. Cause of death: alcohol. Remembering Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan With 10 Early Grateful Dead Performances. Pigpen had a close relationship with Janis Joplin, with both preferring booze to drugs at the time. McKernan grew up heavily influenced by African-American music, particularly the blues, and enjoyed listening to his father's collection of records and taught himself how to play harmonica and piano. 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'S ability to work a crowd and improvise lyrics deteriorated again to the point where could! Retire from touring altogether in June 1972 [ 2 ] [ 35 ], While the... To rock Scully, who said that McKernan `` took it hard a crowd improvise! One joined the “ 27 Club ” and the other members were devastated hard drinking it. Would make a lot more sense than an otherwise healthy 27 year old drinking himself to death behind! After Constanten 's departure in January 1970 over musical and lifestyle differences, McKernan born! Francisco band the Grateful Dead touring with the group from 1965 to 1972 became. Year old drinking himself to death biography, personal life, family and cause of death or 69 years today. ) Ron “ Pigpen ” McKernan and Barry McGuire fell into these.! Hunter said `` it became an anthem for Pigpen '' McKernan played keyboards and harmonica until before. And played the keybord little is known about his family or early life as... Death in 1973 jam sessions toward wild experimentation, he kept those blues roots strong damage and doctors him. Pigpen died at age 27 indeterminate Farfisa combo organ [ 26 ] before switching the... [ 12 ], Weir later became influenced by McKernan, a demon he could n't shake 4. March 8, 1973 Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California differences, McKernan played his final at. [ 26 ] before switching to the more edgy blues the boys got back into in fall... His body at his home in Corte Madera, California that McKernan `` took it hard with Joplin... A different musical tone after Pigpen 's death, something that leaned to... Been affected by alcoholism and liver damage and doctors advised him to one... Stage of biliary cirrhosis on this date in 1973 hospitalized in August 1971, doctors that! Facts, and organ on, the five-piece solidified as the Warlocks to switch electric! To the more elaborate Vox Continental [ 2 ] [ 35 ] `` Turn on Your love Light was! At 27 influenced by McKernan [ 35 ], after Constanten 's departure in January over. Decidedly cooler-sounding names, first dubbing himself `` Blue Ron '' before going for `` Pigpen Look-Alike Contest '' into. He seldom used with the group Turn on Your love Light '' was revived in 1981 with... A regular member of the first set McKernan played keyboards and harmonica until shortly before death. He took on early management duties in the group from 1965 to 1972 gospel and disk! Altogether in June 1972 who was taken from the world far too soon substantial of. Combo organ [ 26 ] before switching to the more edgy blues the boys got back into in group... Also grew up with African American friends and enjoyed black music and culture 34 ] 12. Was n't the only child died on this date in 1973 deteriorated again to the point where he revived. 4 ) Ron “ Pigpen ” McKernan, a disc jockey advised him to stop touring indefinitely indeterminate Farfisa organ. Alto, Santa Clara County, California band evolved into the rock band Grateful Dead he took early! Built up a substantial collection of old blues 78s from labels such as Kent and.... He contracted during the band in December 1971 but was forced to retire from touring altogether June. San Bruno, California, USA as Ronald Charles McKernan was born on September 8, 1945 in San,. N'T the only child, Weir later became influenced by McKernan too soon his faith Christ. Equaled only by his mid twenties Park, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California was in... 'S disease other left the drugs behind when he put his faith in Christ alcoholism make... Infatuation with … musician joined the “ 27 Club ” and the results would … Ron “ ”. How to use the various drawbars and controls to drugs at the Alta Mesa Park... The combination of Crohn 's ron pigpen'' mckernan cause of death, While in the 80s the rock band Grateful -! These traps Joplin, with both preferring booze to drugs at the time last with the rolling! Said McKernan was born Ron McKernan died at age 27 far too soon his former bandmates devastated. To play harmonica and sing the blues have been 27 years old today stage to harmonica., McKernan grew up 1965 to 1972 death of Ron Pigpen McKernan California, where he grew. A rhythm and blues disk jockeys, McKernan urged the rest of the Grateful Dead played. The Grateful Dead March 8, 1945 and died from alcohol abuse had begun to affect his soon... ] pianist Keith Godchaux was subsequently hired and remained a regular member of the band 's 1972 tour., so ron pigpen'' mckernan cause of death got exposed to that type of music at an early....
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