In the collection
2 records
Played with
The Grateful Dead
2 records together
Phil Lesh
2 records together
Bob Weir
2 records together
Jerry Garcia
2 records together
Robert Hunter
2 records together
Bill Kreutzmann
2 records together
Mickey Hart
2 records together
Betty Cantor
1 record together
Bob Matthews
1 record together
Joseph Scott
1 record together
David Nelson
1 record together
About
September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973
McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, to an R&B DJ. He became a fixture on the San Francisco coffee house scene that spawned the Grateful Dead and their contemporaries, going on to play in every recording incarnation of the band. Over the years Pigpen contributed vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and some guitar. His heavy drinking led to severe health problems beginning in 1970, which forced him to perform only intermittently. He joined the band on the Europe ‘72 tour but had to quit touring upon returning home. He died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage the following spring.