Ron Pigpen McKernan

Rock Singer

Birthday September 8, 1945

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace San Bruno, CA

DEATH DATE Mar 8, 1973 (27)

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About

Late singer and multi-instrumentalist best known as a founding member of the influential jam band The Grateful Dead. He died from liver damage resulting from alcoholism at age 27.

Before Fame

He played blues organ and sang in a number of bands before The Grateful Dead, including Warlocks and Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions.

Trivia

He received a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of The Grateful Dead in 1994.

Family Life

His father was a radio DJ.

Associated With

He briefly dated soul singing legend Janis Joplin.