Mickey Hart called him the real musician of the Grateful Dead.
Jerry Garcia said the band as they knew it died when he did.
He's been gone for 50 years.
On March 8, 1973, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, a founding member of the Dead, died at the tragically young age of 27.
Jerry Garcia said the band as they knew it died when he did.
He's been gone for 50 years.
On March 8, 1973, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, a founding member of the Dead, died at the tragically young age of 27.
It's hard to love the Dead without loving Pigpen. He was all energy, passion, raw talent.
In honor of the band's only ever frontman, here is a list of the Top 10 Pigpen songs.
In honor of the band's only ever frontman, here is a list of the Top 10 Pigpen songs.
Instead of just listing them (in no particular order btw) we tried our best to include an iconic performance so you can tune in and celebrate his life through the recordings.
The music never stops.
The music never stops.
"Good Morning Little School Girl"
2.14.68
San Francisco (Carousel Ballroom)
This show is widely regarded as one of the Dead's best early performances, and their version of "Good Morning Little School Girl" features some fiery harmonica playing from Pigpen.
2.14.68
San Francisco (Carousel Ballroom)
This show is widely regarded as one of the Dead's best early performances, and their version of "Good Morning Little School Girl" features some fiery harmonica playing from Pigpen.
"Turn on Your Lovelight"
2.14.68
San Francisco (Carousel Ballroom)
This show also features an epic version of "Turn on Your Lovelight" with some wild call-and-response between Pigpen and the rest of the band. archive.org/details/gd68-0…
2.14.68
San Francisco (Carousel Ballroom)
This show also features an epic version of "Turn on Your Lovelight" with some wild call-and-response between Pigpen and the rest of the band. archive.org/details/gd68-0…
"Viola Lee Blues"
3.18.67
San Francisco (Winterland Arena)
This early performance of "Viola Lee Blues" showcases the band's blues roots, with Pigpen's organ and vocals adding raw energy.
archive.org/details/gd67-0…
3.18.67
San Francisco (Winterland Arena)
This early performance of "Viola Lee Blues" showcases the band's blues roots, with Pigpen's organ and vocals adding raw energy.
archive.org/details/gd67-0…
“Hard to Handle”
8.6.71
Hollywood Palladium
This rendition of "Hard to Handle" is a standout moment in what many consider one of Pigpen’s strongest performances.
8.6.71
Hollywood Palladium
This rendition of "Hard to Handle" is a standout moment in what many consider one of Pigpen’s strongest performances.
“Smokestack Lightening”
2.13.70
NYC (Fillmore East)
The Dead took this classic blues song and (as they were wont to do) made it entirely their own. Pigpen’s harmonica and soulful lyrical delivery is in peak form here.
archive.org/details/gd1970…
2.13.70
NYC (Fillmore East)
The Dead took this classic blues song and (as they were wont to do) made it entirely their own. Pigpen’s harmonica and soulful lyrical delivery is in peak form here.
archive.org/details/gd1970…
“In the Midnight Hour”
11.19.66
San Francisco (Fillmore Auditorium)
Jerry once complained about Pigpen’s penchant for stretching songs to their limit. He does exactly that with amazing energy here over 18 minutes of steady rapping.
archive.org/details/gd1966…
11.19.66
San Francisco (Fillmore Auditorium)
Jerry once complained about Pigpen’s penchant for stretching songs to their limit. He does exactly that with amazing energy here over 18 minutes of steady rapping.
archive.org/details/gd1966…
"Death Don't Have No Mercy"
2.28.69
San Francisco (Fillmore West)
Widely regarded as one of the best performances of this song, it highlights Pigpen's role on the Dead's early sound and style, as well as his contributions as a keyboardist.
2.28.69
San Francisco (Fillmore West)
Widely regarded as one of the best performances of this song, it highlights Pigpen's role on the Dead's early sound and style, as well as his contributions as a keyboardist.
“Good Lovin’”
5.11.72
Netherlands (Rotterdam Civic Center)
An atypical version of this popular cover, the band laid back a bit and let Pigpen explore and meander with some exceptional rapping.
archive.org/details/gd72-0…
5.11.72
Netherlands (Rotterdam Civic Center)
An atypical version of this popular cover, the band laid back a bit and let Pigpen explore and meander with some exceptional rapping.
archive.org/details/gd72-0…
"Easy Wind"
2.21.71
Port Chester, NY (Capitol Theater)
A Pigpen tune if ever there was one, this version features all the grit and passion he was great at delivering.
2.21.71
Port Chester, NY (Capitol Theater)
A Pigpen tune if ever there was one, this version features all the grit and passion he was great at delivering.
“The Other One”
6.17.72
Hollywood Bowl
Pigpen’s final show with the band. He didn’t sing lead or play harmonica, but his organ is notable throughout especially this 23-minute "Other One."
archive.org/details/gd1972…
6.17.72
Hollywood Bowl
Pigpen’s final show with the band. He didn’t sing lead or play harmonica, but his organ is notable throughout especially this 23-minute "Other One."
archive.org/details/gd1972…
If you enjoyed this thread, please share! Let us know what you think, what we missed (No Caution, no Alligator??!!), tell us what you love about Pigpen!
@lemieuxdavid @GratefulDead @JamBase @Dead_History @deadandcompany @BKreutzmann @RelixMag @thewarrenhaynes @BobWeir @GratefulHistory @JustKreutzmann
#Pigpen #RonMcKernan #GratefulDead #Deadheads #BluesMusic #OrganMusic #SoulMusic #JamBand
#Pigpen #RonMcKernan #GratefulDead #Deadheads #BluesMusic #OrganMusic #SoulMusic #JamBand
Bonus tune:
"Hurts Me Too"
4.17.72
Copenhagen (Tivoli Concert Hall)
"Hurts Me Too"
4.17.72
Copenhagen (Tivoli Concert Hall)
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