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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Grateful Dead keyboardist now merely Dead
2006-06-04
Vince Welnick, who took over as the Grateful Dead's keyboard player in 1990 after a succession of predecessors met untimely deaths, has died at the age of 55, according to an announcement on his Web site. The San Jose Mercury News said he died in a hospital on Friday after being taken from his home in Forestville, California, and it quoted a person at his home as saying "it looks like he took his own life." Welnick had previously spoken of a deep depression after Jerry Garcia, founding guitarist of the iconic psychedelic rock band, died in 1995 and the group disbanded.
Posted by:Fred

#10  Yes, the actuarial tables on the Dead keyboardist are NOT encouraging! I think Hornsby is going to be ok though.

I went to Dead shows from '78 to '95. Saw Vince play some killer tunes in those later years. They were the finest band in the land. The Rex Foundation did a Jerry memorial show last September for the 10 year anniversary of his death at the Greek Theater in Berserkeley. Bruce played, among many others (Trey Anastasio of Phish, Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule/Allman Bros.). It was a VERY hot show. The music lives on even if the players seem to be dropping like flies.
Posted by: Remoteman   2006-06-04 13:21  

#9  Another in a long line of keyboardists. That is why Bruce Hornsby only played short gigs with the band, I think he saw the prophecy of doom.
Posted by: bk   2006-06-04 11:58  

#8  Listened to the Dead at the Fillmo' Auditorium. Had to use earplugs, though. The bass resonated with one's sternum.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2006-06-04 11:39  

#7  Frank G - Deadhead, one of the early revelations about RB that reassured me I was near the local mean.
Posted by: 6   2006-06-04 07:29  

#6  I guess that means that Bruce Hornsby is next. Seems like a healthy guy but the curse will not discriminate
Posted by: Monsieur Moonbat   2006-06-04 07:25  

#5  Ghost truckin'
Posted by: Captain America   2006-06-04 01:21  

#4  A Grateful Dead RIP in Advance for the entire band [whats left of them], including Pig Pen. They were an American original. I gottum a couple of war stories with them,...eh who don't!
Posted by: RD   2006-06-04 01:13  

#3  "after a succession of predecessors met untimely deaths"

You'd think he'd have taken the hint....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2006-06-04 00:33  

#2  Vince was a good guy and excellent musician. RIP
Posted by: Frank G   2006-06-04 00:23  

#1  That's what comes from placing the volume all the way to 11 !
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839   2006-06-04 00:19  

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