Donna Jean Godchaux

Donna Jean Godchaux was the only female singer to perform and record with the Grateful Dead, joining the band in 1971 and remaining with them through 1979. As the group’s first female vocalist, she brought a soulful warmth and dynamic energy to their sound, both on stage and in the studio. Born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Donna Jean’s musical path began early—at just nine years old, she met Rick Hall before he opened FAME Studios and recorded demos in his small studio above the City Drug Store. She went on to sing background vocals on several historic recordings, including Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” In the late 1960s, she lent her voice to Elvis Presley sessions in Memphis, contributing to hits such as “Suspicious Minds” and “In the Ghetto.” Thanks to her dear friends Sheryl and Norbert Putnam, the NAMM Oral History team had the honor of interviewing her in 2017. Donna Jean’s many contributions to music continue to uplift and inspire generations of artists and fans alike.