| Brent Mydland |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT BRENT MYDLAND | |
| 1952 births | |
| 1990 deaths | |
| american keyboardists | |
| california musicians | |
| drug-related human deaths in the united states | |
| grateful dead members | |
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Brent Mydland ( October 21 , 1952 – July 26 , 1990 ) was the fourth Keyboardist to play for the United States rock band the Grateful Dead . He was with the Dead for 11 years and, despite being often referred to as 'the new guy', was with the band for a longer time than any other keyboardist. BIOGRAPHY Early life Born in Munich , Germany as the child of a U. S. Army chaplain, Mydland was moved to San Francisco , California at the age of one. Brent spent most of his child hood living out in the San Joaquin - Sacramento Delta's Bethel Island, California. His mother, a grave yard shift nurse, encouraged Brent's talents by insisting that he practiced his music for two hours each day. He played trumpet at Oakley Elementary School, but his school mates remember him practicing on an accordion, as well as the piano, every day after school. Brent graduated from Liberty Union High School in 1971. Grateful Dead He joined the Grateful Dead in 1979 after a session with a Bob Weir solo project, and replaced keyboard player Keith Godchaux , who had been dismissed from the band earlier that year. Mydland quickly became an integral part of the group, not least because of his songwriting contributions, of which Godchaux had almost none. ''Go To Heaven'' (1980) featured two of Mydland's songs, ''Far From Me'' and ''Easy To Love You,'' the second of which had been written with frequent Weir collaborator John Perry Barlow . On the next album '' In The Dark '' (1987) Mydland co-wrote the defiant favorite ''Hell In A Bucket'' with Weir and Barlow, and also penned train song ''Tons of Steel.'' '' Built To Last '' (1989) featured several more of Mydland's works, most notably the moody ''Just A Little Light'' and the poignant ''I Will Take You Home,'' written with Barlow for his two daughters. After joining, Mydland easily fit in to the band's sound and added his own contributions. His high vocal harmonies and emotional leads gave the band singing strength, and highlighted several old favorites like ''Cassidy'' and covers like Traffic 's '' Dear Mr. Fantasy .'' Mydland enjoyed the organ and several other experimental tones, whereas in concert, his predecessor had usually preferred his piano. Brent played several different electric pianos and synthesizers throughout his tenure, including a Fender Rhodes, Yamaha CP-70, and a Kurzweil Midiboard. His Hammond B-3 stayed with him throughout his entire tenure. Death Mydland died of a Drug Overdose after taking a Speedball at his home on "My Road" in Lafayette , California , on July 26 , 1990 , shortly after completing the band's summer tour. He was replaced by Vince Welnick on synthesizers and vocals, and, for a short time, temporary fill-in Bruce Hornsby on grand piano. DISCOGRAPHY WITH THE GRATEFUL DEAD Studio
Official Live albums ''See also Grateful Dead Discography#"Retrospective" Live Albums for other live releases.'' EXTERNAL LINKS |
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