Gone is singer Donna Jean Godcho-McKay

American singer Donna Jean Godcho-McKay, who lived 78 years, died on November 2, 2025 in a hospice in Nashville after battling cancer. This was reported by representatives of the family, citing a publication in Variety.

Donna Jean Thatcher, born August 22, 1947 in Florence, Alabama, began her career as a session vocalist in Muscle Shoals. In 1970, she moved to California and married Keith Godshaw, the Grateful Dead keyboardist. From 1971 to 1979, she was a member of the band, recording albums such as "Wake From the Flood" and "What a Long Strange Trip It's Been".

In 1979, after leaving the Grateful Dead, she and Keith formed the Ghosts (later renamed the Heart of Gold Band). However, in 1980, Keith tragically died in a car accident, which forced Donna to temporarily cease musical activities. In the 1980s, she married David McKay and returned to Florence to record with Muscle Shoals. In addition, Godcho-McKay worked as a backing vocalist for Alice Presley, Percy Sledge, Cher, Boz Skaggs and Bob Ware, and also participated in the Jerry Garcia Band. In the 2000s, she continued her career with Donna Jean Band and Donna Jean and the Tricksters.