Studying Time: 2 minutes
We now have unhappy information to report from the world of music right this moment:
Donna Jean Godchaux, the powerhouse vocalist who has carried out with such iconic acts because the Grateful Useless and Elvis Presley, has handed away.
She was 79 years outdated.
Information of Godchaux’s loss of life comes courtesy of an announcement from her household, who clarify that she handed away at a Nashville hospice facility “after a prolonged battle with most cancers.”
“She was a candy and warmly lovely spirit, and all those that knew her are united in loss,” the assertion reads (by way of Individuals).
“The household requests privateness at the moment of grieving. Within the phrases of Useless lyricist Robert Hunter, ‘Could the 4 winds blow her safely residence.’”
Born in Alabama in 1947, Godchaux joined the Useless alongside together with her first husband, keyboardist Keith Godchaux, in 1972.
She remained with the band all through the ’70s and continued performing within the a long time since, forming the Donna Jean Godchaux Band in 2006.
Godchaux additionally sang backup vocals on primary hits like Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Lady” and Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.”
She additionally recorded with legendary artists akin to Cher, Neil Diamond and Dionne Warwick.
“I used to be singing from just about as quickly as I might discuss,” she informed AL.com in 2016.
“I bear in mind very distinctly once I was 6 years outdated, I knew I used to be going to be a singer and I might sit out on my again porch and sing to the highest of my lungs on daily basis.”
She informed the outlet that singing with Elvis was “one of the crucial superb instances of my life,” and recalled the King being “so form to us and inspiring and complimentary… And he regarded nice. I’m telling you, he was essentially the most attractive human being I’ve ever seen.”
“It was nice enjoyable,” she stated, when requested about touring with the Grateful Useless. “I cherished singing with these guys and we had an absolute blast.”
She added, nevertheless, that the connection between couple and band soured moderately rapidly:
“The band knew we needed to be out of the band, and Keith and I had been speaking about ‘How on the planet do you stop the Grateful Useless?’” she informed AL.com.
“It was unhappy, nevertheless it was what wanted to occur. It was turning into being not worthwhile for anyone. We wanted to go, they usually wanted for us to go.”
Keith was killed in a automobile accident not lengthy after he and Donna shaped their very own band in 1980.
Our ideas exit to Donna Jean Godchaux’s family members throughout this troublesome time.
