Ron “Pigpen” McKernan
by crazyskills on Jul.03, 2009, under stream of consciousness, tech
McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, September 8, 1945 and was a member of “The Grateful Dead” until his death on March 8, 1973. His musical contributions to the Grateful Dead included vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and occasionally guitar.
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. Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann were added and the band evolved into The Warlocks. Around 1965 McKernan urged the rest of the Warlocks to switch to electric instruments. Around this time Phil Lesh joined and they became the Grateful Dead.
His tombstone reads,
RONALD C. McKERNAN
1945 - 1973
PIGPEN WAS
AND IS NOW FOREVER
ONE OF THE
GRATEFUL DEAD
