Ronald C. "Pigpen" McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973) was a founding member of the band the Grateful Dead. His musical contributions to the Grateful Dead included vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and occasionally guitar. He died at the age of 27.
McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, the son of a San Francisco Bay Area R&B; and blues disc jockey. He grew up with many African-American friends, and felt very strongly co...
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Ronald C. "Pigpen" McKernan (September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973) was a founding member of the band the Grateful Dead. His musical contributions to the Grateful Dead included vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and occasionally guitar. He died at the age of 27.
McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, the son of a San Francisco Bay Area R&B; and blues disc jockey. He grew up with many African-American friends, and felt very strongly connected to black music and culture. As a youth, McKernan taught himself blues piano and developed a biker image that eventually led to the cessation of his school career. In his early teens, McKernan left Palo Alto High School by mutual agreement with the school's principal. He also began using alcohol in his adolescence.
McKernan began spending time around coffeehouses and music stores, where he met Jerry Garcia. One night Garcia invited McKernan onstage to play harmonica and sing the blues. Garcia was impressed and McKernan became the blues...
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