He was the odd man out, drunk in a band of acid heads, biker in a band of hippies, bluesman in a band of jazz and folk heads. He made them sound so much better. Love Pig Pen
Carlos ... I was around in that era but didn't realize (through my brain haze) that it was the blend of rock, jazz, blues, folk, and acid / booze that added up to more than the sum of it's parts.
That's the tension tons of bands were envying. He was a ringer and individual to their sound...Brian Jones was close to that and maybe even Peter Gabriel as an example of sums and parts in a band.
@@analogkid4957 Both were founding members of their respective bands , leaders , the stars and most popular with fans , both were blues fanatics with a distate for ' psychedelic' music and both were responsible for they're bands success.... and they died at the age of 27 ! Legends who were gone to soon but are never going to be forgotten!
Best Dead Ever- One drummer, and PIG. I read that people hold him in high regard, and with him it's legit. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him, and if you take note, you will hear him say "Thank you" after every song he lead. Never met him, but I love that dude!
"Next time you see me, things won't be the same..." it really was like a parting note for Pig Pen. Such a loss to the Grateful Dead and to music in general.
Tom's nit dead. I saw him last year with Terrapin Flyer in St Louis playing one side of the stage and Melvin seals from Jerry garcia band playing the other side. It was awesome
I'll never forget my first Grateful Dead concert on April 29, 1972 at Musikhalle in Hamburg/Germany and I'll never forget the times when Pigpen sang his songs. This bluesman had so much soul!! ~ You're gone too soon but not forgotten, Pig ~
49 years gone today but never will he ever be forgotten! So very Grateful for Ronald "Mr. Charlie" "Pigpen" "The Operator" McKernan! One of the Gratest Bluesman of all time and forever a member of the Sacred Grateful Dead! Thank you for your Grateful service and especially for your brilliant additions to the Sacred Songbook! NFA!
No wonder he was a fan favorite he put it all out there. He died before I ever got to see him. What a cool guy , this clip he is just modest and respectful. Happy to be entertaining people. I love it. R.I.P. and he must be in that big' Rock An' Roll Band"
My brother was a lot like Pigpen, looked like him too. Was a blues man and played music. I'm always reminded of him when I hear ol pig. Ironically both died far too soon
RIP the two members of The Grateful Dead Jerry Garcia (August 1, 1942 - August 9, 1995), aged 53 Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (September 8, 1945 - March 8, 1973), aged 27 You both will always be remembered as legends.
in the beginning, they were to be an electric blues band backing up piggers. the kesey scene changed all that, of course, and the blues took a back seat. your pigpen clips are gold, robicork.
the band developed their sound and skills immensely by 1972..i was there for the late sixties and grew along with them - although my story has a few bends in the road!
This man got a cortege of 250 members of the hells Angels escorting his body to his burial. That, my friends, is RESPECT.🤨 Pigpen gave the grateful Dead that badass aura nobody will ever duplicate. Pig pen was the real deal RIP Mr. McKernan, if heaven is a destination, I hope to one day thank you and shake your hand
May favorite band ever? The Grateful Dead. Saw them live about 25 times from 1975-1979. Wish I could have seen Pigpen (Ron McKernan), sigh. Nobody did what they did ... NOBODY! Beatnik buddies until the ran into Ken Kesey. They became THE counterculture band, THE acid rock band, THE live band to see. When they were on, magic happened. You entered Nirvana, Heaven, Satori, say what you will. They stayed true to their music and their fans. Greatest live band in history. Legendary.
@@mitchgawlik1175 Gregg Allman as well. My first concert in 68: Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Tim Hardin. $3 on the lawn at Tanglewood with my summer camp.
@@rapidfirerob4 I can't listen to any version of "Stormy Monday" without thinking no one can top Gregg's singing of it, and that song is only one small example of Gregg's blues. Ron "Pigpen" Mckernan was a big part of the Dead and I dig both his love of and attempts at blues, but he was hardly "the ultimate white bluesman" as mentioned above.
I go back to the Pigpen days. His death was a big loss to the dead because it took out the blues end of the music. But they were still great later. Listen to Garcia lay down a blues riff in the break and you know the man could do anything with a guitar.
PIGPEN! This is why I started listening to the dead. Now I love it all but when I was younger being into blues and hearing the really out there Dead stuff was a little bit of a turn off to me, then I heard the Fillmore West from 1967 with Pigpen and my eyes were opened. I couldn't believe how badass they were and as was mentioned the versatility he added to the lineup was just amazing.
Guys at the Dead office: you should take the 1972 Europe and Oregon footage and the 1970 Canadian footage and make an early 70's DVD of the Grateful Dead. They were in top form and the live performances show it. As a guitarist, I find that many musicians don't get Jerry; if they were to see this, they would understand immediately his importance in the history of the electric guitar. Jerry reached a pinnacle during these years, approaching the changes as a jazz player.
wow , i just discovered pigpen today.. he must of been sick in this video comparing to the past pictures i saw and passing away a year later.. how sad he was very talented.
tink ie well to be brutally honest he drank 3 liters of rum a day and his liver didn't work any more and because of his liver not working any longer basically drank him self and blood to death at the same time look up the story its really moving what happened
After their Europe '72 tour, his health had degenerated to the point where he could no longer continue on the road. He made his final concert appearance on June 17, 1972 at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California.
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
He was the odd man out, drunk in a band of acid heads, biker in a band of hippies, bluesman in a band of jazz and folk heads. He made them sound so much better. Love Pig Pen
Carlos ... I was around in that era but didn't realize (through my brain haze) that it was the blend of rock, jazz, blues, folk, and acid / booze that added up to more than the sum of it's parts.
That's the tension tons of bands were envying. He was a ringer and individual to their sound...Brian Jones was close to that and maybe even Peter Gabriel as an example of sums and parts in a band.
@@krisscanlon4051 early Fleetwood Mac’s Jeremy Spencer as well imo
@@krisscanlon4051 how was Brian Jones similar to Pigpen?
@@analogkid4957 Both were founding members of their respective bands , leaders , the stars and most popular with fans , both were blues fanatics with a distate for ' psychedelic' music and both were responsible for they're bands success.... and they died at the age of 27 ! Legends who were gone to soon but are never going to be forgotten!
Best Dead Ever- One drummer, and PIG. I read that people hold him in high regard, and with him it's legit. Nobody ever had a bad word to say about him, and if you take note, you will hear him say "Thank you" after every song he lead. Never met him, but I love that dude!
"Next time you see me, things won't be the same..." it really was like a parting note for Pig Pen. Such a loss to the Grateful Dead and to music in general.
Right. The next time they saw him he was dead.
Pigpen was truly a rare talent. God bless Grateful Dead.
Rest in peace, Pig, Jerry, Brent,Keith,Vince.
Tom's nit dead. I saw him last year with Terrapin Flyer in St Louis playing one side of the stage and Melvin seals from Jerry garcia band playing the other side. It was awesome
Props for mentioning Vince Welnick. Not many people do... 🍺😎👍
The heart and soul of the Grateful Dead.
Damn straight buddy!
Jerry Garcia was the heart and soul of the Greatful Dead. He was a with them a short time.
@@brianlavoie1603 ua-cam.com/video/GC-ZRAAQG84/v-deo.html
Keith and Donna and the Brent years were as good but spoke to different generations of. Dead heads
I'll never forget my first Grateful Dead concert on April 29, 1972 at Musikhalle in Hamburg/Germany and I'll never forget the times when Pigpen sang his songs. This bluesman had so much soul!! ~ You're gone too soon but not forgotten, Pig ~
I know I'm in the minority...but this is the Dead lineup I turn to over and over again.
72 my fav year as well
Well, Jack....I heard you cut your buddy down. That wasn't too kind....
Yep! This is the REAL Grateful Dead. They should have changed their name after Pigpen's death.
love Pigpen!
Randy Lahey I would never on such a fine morning
I just got a Pig Pen tattoo in Portugal 🇵🇹.. Easy wind on a harmonica.. Fucking awesome 🤟 🎸 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 🍄 my 1st Dead show was 1979.. Rip Pig Pen
49 years gone today but never will he ever be forgotten! So very Grateful for Ronald "Mr. Charlie" "Pigpen" "The Operator" McKernan! One of the Gratest Bluesman of all time and forever a member of the Sacred Grateful Dead! Thank you for your Grateful service and especially for your brilliant additions to the Sacred Songbook! NFA!
i cannot EVER get enough Pig!
Loved Pigpen's Rhythm & Blues influence on the Dead. His passing was a great loss.
Gotta love Pig's harmonica.....Jerry tells soundman to crank it up at 1:45!!
A great era, despite Pig's poor health. He was the one who got people up. We were better off when he was with us.
Me and my dad went halves on the box set of the whole Europe 72 tour. Every single show is just out of this world pure magic. Long live the Dead!
No wonder he was a fan favorite he put it all out there. He died before I ever got to see him. What a cool guy , this clip he is just modest and respectful. Happy to be entertaining people. I love it. R.I.P. and he must be in that big' Rock An' Roll Band"
Love anything with Pig on it and getting loose.
My favourite era of The Dead 65-72.
RIP Pigpen!!!
nothing better than Pigpen playing the harp. RIP Ron
Great Video. There is and never will be another Pigpen. His music lives on forever. RIP brother.
RIP PigPen, 50 yrs ago today 3/08/1973
MY favorite era of the Grateful Dead!
Pigpen and his backup band.
As a musician, blues brings everyone together. Commonality at its essence. No question. Almost for art that needs to be rediscovered. Revival!!!
Jer played for Ron cause he knew blues was his thing and Jer wanted him to know he loved it too.
you're stoned
@@clancykobane9102
*you're
: D
@@thinkandbefree9398 fixed ;)
so blessed to share a birthday with this man
Too bad they lost him so early. He was the blues sole of the band. Amazing!
Pig pen is my favorite member. My true hero
Outstanding quality.
Happy birthday Pigpen ❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹
Stella Blue-Great name!!!!!!!!
My brother was a lot like Pigpen, looked like him too. Was a blues man and played music. I'm always reminded of him when I hear ol pig. Ironically both died far too soon
RIP the two members of The Grateful Dead
Jerry Garcia (August 1, 1942 - August 9, 1995), aged 53
Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (September 8, 1945 - March 8, 1973), aged 27
You both will always be remembered as legends.
46 years ago today, you joined the 27 Club. You were the "Soul" of the Dead. So missed. xoxo
always loved the tie dye speaker grills..
in the beginning, they were to be an electric blues band backing up piggers. the kesey scene changed all that, of course, and the blues took a back seat.
your pigpen clips are gold, robicork.
Happy Birthday PigPen!
Miss you Pigpen❤these were my fav years of the Dead ✨✌️🙌
Happy Birthday Ron👏🏽👏🏽🐷2022. ..🎀❤✨🎩✨❤🎀🕯
Day I was born!!!!
the band developed their sound and skills immensely by 1972..i was there for the late sixties and grew along with them - although my story has a few bends in the road!
Yeah - True... But so does theirs !
Cool
This man got a cortege of 250 members of the hells Angels escorting his body to his burial. That, my friends, is RESPECT.🤨
Pigpen gave the grateful Dead that badass aura nobody will ever duplicate.
Pig pen was the real deal
RIP Mr. McKernan, if heaven is a destination, I hope to one day thank you and shake your hand
50 years ago 😢Good grief, Charlie Brown!
THIS is The one and only Good Ol' Grateful Dead!
WOW
This footage is righteous
Garcias' lead is off the hook!!
Man. Pig was Awesome!
Used to see a great band that played alot of dead and some originals and keyboard/Harp player was likeba living Pigpen.unbelievable times.
Pigpen was my favorite member of the band for a long while. But tragically, by this point in his career he was a mere shell of his former self.
May favorite band ever? The Grateful Dead. Saw them live about 25 times from 1975-1979. Wish I could have seen Pigpen (Ron McKernan), sigh. Nobody did what they did ... NOBODY! Beatnik buddies until the ran into Ken Kesey. They became THE counterculture band, THE acid rock band, THE live band to see. When they were on, magic happened. You entered Nirvana, Heaven, Satori, say what you will. They stayed true to their music and their fans. Greatest live band in history. Legendary.
I've never heard this before-Pig was the ultimate white bluesman.Thank you for posting this.
You had better take a listen to Paul Butterfield or Charlie Musselwhite.
@@mitchgawlik1175 Gregg Allman as well. My first concert in 68: Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Tim Hardin. $3 on the lawn at Tanglewood with my summer camp.
@@rapidfirerob4 I can't listen to any version of "Stormy Monday" without thinking no one can top
Gregg's singing of it, and that song is only one small example of Gregg's blues.
Ron "Pigpen" Mckernan was a big part of the Dead and I dig both his love of and attempts at blues, but he
was hardly "the ultimate white bluesman" as mentioned above.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIGPEN!
Im sure Ive commented here before but.....I dont care...PIGPEN!!! ♥♥ Sweet Ron. Bless his soul. ♥♥
I go back to the Pigpen days. His death was a big loss to the dead because it took out the blues end of the music. But they were still great later. Listen to Garcia lay down a blues riff in the break and you know the man could do anything with a guitar.
heard this old standard all the time in Chicago blues bars in the 70s - pretty faithful rendition.
Pigpen, and one drummer (Billy) and they were at their best, fer sure!
The Dead lost their heart n soul with your passing my love.
Sweet,Sweet thanks 4 posting this man,I love Pigpen Mckernan tha Best,he looks already bit sick here..still putting a great show RIP
PIGPEN! This is why I started listening to the dead. Now I love it all but when I was younger being into blues and hearing the really out there Dead stuff was a little bit of a turn off to me, then I heard the Fillmore West from 1967 with Pigpen and my eyes were opened. I couldn't believe how badass they were and as was mentioned the versatility he added to the lineup was just amazing.
wasLove his voice! Never thought about the Dead before Jerry! This is incredible! Love it!!
Pig was the frontman for the longest time. Oddly Phil was for a while too if you listen to some of the early demos!
great stuff many thanks...bringing it all back home..kf
Gone 50 years today. 😿😿
Pigpen my buddy I will always have you in my heart forever did your own thing buddy that's what made you so unique
What can I say........TIMELESS!
Happy birthday Pig Pen, where ever you are. 9-8-17.
Pigpen=GD forever!🎉❤
Great tune, soo true................
Happy Heavenly Birthday Ron "Pigpen" McKernan💖🌈🦋✌ 🌹RIP🌹
Love me some pigpen
This was also my favorite "Dead" line up, as that was the true GD!
RIP, Pigpen
Love it!!!
Pigpen is the MAN!!
PIG PEN FOREVER thank you for posting.
R.I.P. 40 YEARS AGO TODAY. sure you and jerry are rockin out tonight
Guys at the Dead office: you should take the 1972 Europe and Oregon footage and the 1970 Canadian footage and make an early 70's DVD of the Grateful Dead. They were in top form and the live performances show it. As a guitarist, I find that many musicians don't get Jerry; if they were to see this, they would understand immediately his importance in the history of the electric guitar. Jerry reached a pinnacle during these years, approaching the changes as a jazz player.
This is great. Pigpen ! live and in color :) thanks for sharing
All your videos are great. Thank you.
This was Pigpen's last tour as a Grateful Dead member.
Thx Rob
Happy 75th Birthday Pigpen!
Ron Pigpen Mckernan September 8 1945-March 8 1973
God bless Ron McKernen
Miss ya Mr. Pen😇
Pigpin all the way they don't make em like that no more love always your Sunshine ✨
His blues influence was missed with his departure. Best days of the Dead were with Ronald C. "Pigpen" McKernan!
miss him
Today July 9th, 1995 The Grateful Dead played the last show 😢
awesome pigpen dead song .....kool footage!!!
Pigpen plays on mean harmonica.. forever grateful...
oh Pig....him and Brent made that band...and they never were the same without either
The Pig and Janis ❤️
A True Bluesman............
wow , i just discovered pigpen today.. he must of been sick in this video comparing to the past pictures i saw and passing away a year later.. how sad he was very talented.
tink ie well to be brutally honest he drank 3 liters of rum a day and his liver didn't work any more and because of his liver not working any longer basically drank him self and blood to death at the same time look up the story its really moving what happened
You’re seeing a dead man walking from alcohol, he saved my life 10 yrs ago.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (September 8, 1945 - March 8, 1973)
happy bday tc
I wish someone did. I'd love to see that too..but I've only ever heard the audio of it which is here on YT.
We need a blues revival here and now! Anyone out there?
Happy Birthday Pigpen!!! Up there
I ware this clip out. That harmonica is outta site. I gotta say my favorite dead is with ol'pig pen...
Just blues man singin the blues
After their Europe '72 tour, his health had degenerated to the point where he could no longer continue on the road. He made his final concert appearance on June 17, 1972 at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California.
...all that shines is not gold....