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!
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
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!
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!
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
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 ~
"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.
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.
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"
@@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.
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.
Towards the end of the pigpen era...still great but certainly lacking the Boones farm and amphetamine thunder of the 66- 67 versions due Mr McKernan's declining health
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.
Pig would have been 73 today-i had a pin with his pic on it that i wore in my motorcycle jacket,placed where it would be right next to my heart.WALSTIB.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
hey in reply to prophetdude- no recollection of posting it- must've been long ago- some drunken night- dark humour in response to some comment- and out of context- it's quite an alarming statement- never mind- let's be grateful we're not dead yet!
This man essentially died from alcoholism and his band mates would not do a thing to save him -- not a thing. I don't blame them. They were young rock and rollers and not equipped to help others. Sometimes it's tough enough just to help yourself.
+Aaron Rodriguez: He's playing a standard 10-hole diatonic "Richter-tuned" harmonica (like a Marine Band, Special 20, or similar model) tuned to D. However he is playing second position (aka "cross-harp") in the key of A. Most, if not all, of his playing on records or concert tapes is in second position, but I think he may have occasionally played in first position on jug-band style stuff or maybe on Jimmy Reed tunes. I've never heard him use third position i.e. playing a G-harp in Dorian mode on an A-minor blues. Nor have I ever heard him play a chromatic harp or use modified-tuning diatonic harps like Charlie McCoy.Incidentally, the song "Next Time You See Me" is a blues standard first recorded by Little Junior Parker in 1956, released in 1957 on the "Duke" label. It's frequently covered by bands everywhere. Parker went on to have a number of blues/R&B hits on that label. The writers credited are "Earl Forest & Bill Harvey" but with these old records it's always hard to parse out who actually wrote the song or who acquired (stole) the publishing rights.
+callmejeffbob that was the best reply I could hope for! Thank you so much! I love his playing my in easy wind,especially the "celebration " pbs show where they play my favorite easy wind ,"if you can find it" is one of my all time favs of him playing and the dead being the dead haha
+Aaron Rodriguez Hi Aaron, glad to help. By the way, I did find that version of "Easy Wind" posted on RUclips and you're right, it's quite good. I'm not a huge Dead fan anymore although I listened to them more back in the day. I saw them a few times "way back when" (1970 and 1972). When Pig Pen was in good shape he was pretty entertaining. I preferred him more when he was singing GD songs (like "Easy Wind" or "Alligator" ) more than the blues covers because I always am reminded of the original versions, which were usually superior. Like I said, he was entertaining but frankly his harmonica playing was actually pretty ordinary and in some instances, kind of sloppy. There are many harmonica players that are (or were) much better. Still I like the overall vibe of these early Dead videos. I'm not trying to be snarky, just honest
@ANDEEDEE1 Ive been lookin for a Pig shirt for years and the only thing Ive found is on a site called rock-band-tshirts. Look for the "hog t-shirt". I cant include the link here in the comments.....cant even type in the dot com. ...not even the words....gawd....but ill try yr p.m. and send ya the link there.
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
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!
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
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 ruclips.net/video/GC-ZRAAQG84/видео.html
Keith and Donna and the Brent years were as good but spoke to different generations of. Dead heads
Gotta love Pig's harmonica.....Jerry tells soundman to crank it up at 1:45!!
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.
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!
MY favorite era of the Grateful Dead!
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!
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.
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
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 ~
"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.
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 ;)
Pigpen and his backup band.
Great Video. There is and never will be another Pigpen. His music lives on forever. RIP brother.
Love anything with Pig on it and getting loose.
My favourite era of The Dead 65-72.
RIP Pigpen!!!
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.
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"
Loved Pigpen's Rhythm & Blues influence on the Dead. His passing was a great loss.
Named my dog after him, always my favourite
the kid is 26.... he looks 40... jerry looked 70 at 53... similar math... mickey is 74 and looks 50... billy is 73 and looks 73...
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.
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.
Towards the end of the pigpen era...still great but certainly lacking the Boones farm and amphetamine thunder of the 66- 67 versions due Mr McKernan's declining health
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.
Too bad they lost him so early. He was the blues sole of the band. Amazing!
nothing better than Pigpen playing the harp. RIP Ron
Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (September 8, 1945 - March 8, 1973)
If it wasnt for pig the sound would never have been right
American's look so much older, why is that i wonder; i take it he was around 26 there.
we are literally sicker like we eat like shit and can’t get healthcare
pigpen was drinking like crazy since 12. he died young.
As a musician, blues brings everyone together. Commonality at its essence. No question. Almost for art that needs to be rediscovered. Revival!!!
Im sure Ive commented here before but.....I dont care...PIGPEN!!! ♥♥ Sweet Ron. Bless his soul. ♥♥
Happy birthday Pigpen ❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹
Stella Blue-Great name!!!!!!!!
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
Love it!!!
Pigpen is the MAN!!
Pig would have been 73 today-i had a pin with his pic on it that i wore in my motorcycle jacket,placed where it would be right next to my heart.WALSTIB.
You are the man my man you are the man
i cannot EVER get enough Pig!
His blues influence was missed with his departure. Best days of the Dead were with Ronald C. "Pigpen" McKernan!
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
Pigpen, and one drummer (Billy) and they were at their best, fer sure!
Happy Birthday PigPen!
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.
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.
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!
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
When a bunch of hippies ruin your blues band
100% agree, they did so much more folk after he died (RIP). It would of been weird to see how they turned out if he would of lived.
Love me some pigpen
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.
God bless Ron McKernen
Check out Paul Stanley Singing Uncle Johns Band - ruclips.net/video/LyWVsYMlyzo/видео.html
Garcias' lead is off the hook!!
Pigpen was like Brian Jones of the Stones, the special one
Pretty sure Garcia said as much about Ron's time in the band. Pig was thr heart and soul
Pigpen definitely gave them the americana street cred...harmonica is the soul of a vagabond.
Makes you wonder what place he would’ve played in the later years if he wouldn’t have passed away
Does anybody know what kind of, or what key the harmonica that Pigpen is in?
hey in reply to prophetdude- no recollection of posting it- must've been long ago- some drunken night- dark humour in response to some comment- and out of context- it's quite an alarming statement- never mind- let's be grateful we're not dead yet!
Ron Pigpen Mckernan September 8 1945-March 8 1973
Pigpin all the way they don't make em like that no more love always your Sunshine ✨
The Dead lost their heart n soul with your passing my love.
RIP
Ich habe Dead erst spät kennengelernt. Geil psychedelic country Blues einmalig
Today July 9th, 1995 The Grateful Dead played the last show 😢
46 years ago today, you joined the 27 Club. You were the "Soul" of the Dead. So missed. xoxo
This was Pigpen's last tour as a Grateful Dead member.
Outstanding quality.
oh Pig....him and Brent made that band...and they never were the same without either
Pig pen is my favorite member. My true hero
Alcohol is poison ☠️ if you drink too much . RIP pigpen
Happy Birthday Ron👏🏽👏🏽🐷2022. ..🎀❤✨🎩✨❤🎀🕯
This man essentially died from alcoholism and his band mates would not do a thing to save him -- not a thing. I don't blame them. They were young rock and rollers and not equipped to help others. Sometimes it's tough enough just to help yourself.
False. He died from PBC, an autoimmune disease with no cure. Alcohol didn’t help, but he would have died anyway.
50 years ago 😢Good grief, Charlie Brown!
Me love Pig Pen. And harmonica. First to succumb to the curse
Anyone know what key harmonica pig is using??
+Aaron Rodriguez the key is stinky
+Aaron Rodriguez: He's playing a standard 10-hole diatonic "Richter-tuned" harmonica (like a Marine Band, Special 20, or similar model) tuned to D. However he is playing second position (aka "cross-harp") in the key of A. Most, if not all, of his playing on records or concert tapes is in second position, but I think he may have occasionally played in first position on jug-band style stuff or maybe on Jimmy Reed tunes. I've never heard him use third position i.e. playing a G-harp in Dorian mode on an A-minor blues. Nor have I ever heard him play a chromatic harp or use modified-tuning diatonic harps like Charlie McCoy.Incidentally, the song "Next Time You See Me" is a blues standard first recorded by Little Junior Parker in 1956, released in 1957 on the "Duke" label. It's frequently covered by bands everywhere. Parker went on to have a number of blues/R&B hits on that label. The writers credited are "Earl Forest & Bill Harvey" but with these old records it's always hard to parse out who actually wrote the song or who acquired (stole) the publishing rights.
+callmejeffbob that was the best reply I could hope for! Thank you so much! I love his playing my in easy wind,especially the "celebration " pbs show where they play my favorite easy wind ,"if you can find it" is one of my all time favs of him playing and the dead being the dead haha
+Aaron Rodriguez Hi Aaron, glad to help. By the way, I did find that version of "Easy Wind" posted on RUclips and you're right, it's quite good. I'm not a huge Dead fan anymore although I listened to them more back in the day. I saw them a few times "way back when" (1970 and 1972). When Pig Pen was in good shape he was pretty entertaining. I preferred him more when he was singing GD songs (like "Easy Wind" or "Alligator" ) more than the blues covers because I always am reminded of the original versions, which were usually superior. Like I said, he was entertaining but frankly his harmonica playing was actually pretty ordinary and in some instances, kind of sloppy. There are many harmonica players that are (or were) much better. Still I like the overall vibe of these early Dead videos. I'm not trying to be snarky, just honest
What key harmonica has Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson used?
@ANDEEDEE1 Ive been lookin for a Pig shirt for years and the only thing Ive found is on a site called rock-band-tshirts. Look for the "hog t-shirt". I cant include the link here in the comments.....cant even type in the dot com. ...not even the words....gawd....but ill try yr p.m. and send ya the link there.
@robcork You have some impressive shows on your site do you share any of it by chance?
Richard Dunn
go to robcorkspersonalstash.com
I cant seem to download my friend :(
iTunes podcast. Just click the link.
Pigpen could play pretty good harp, and Jerry and Bob could play, but NONE of them could sing EVER.
ignorant take 😂
THIS is The one and only Good Ol' Grateful Dead!
They never recored anything great after Ron my opinion
This was also my favorite "Dead" line up, as that was the true GD!
RIP, Pigpen
so blessed to share a birthday with this man
Happy heavenly birthday Pig pin
Day I was born!!!!
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.
Used to see a great band that played alot of dead and some originals and keyboard/Harp player was likeba living Pigpen.unbelievable times.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIGPEN!
Pigpen my buddy I will always have you in my heart forever did your own thing buddy that's what made you so unique
Happy Heavenly Birthday Ron "Pigpen" McKernan💖🌈🦋✌ 🌹RIP🌹
always loved the tie dye speaker grills..
Dude you are so wrong about Keith, Hart YES
Pigpen=GD forever!🎉❤
Just blues man singin the blues
Ron McKernen was the Grateful Dead. And it's the Dead everyone should know
I hate Led Zep. But that was drumming!
Gone 50 years today. 😿😿
WOW
This footage is righteous
jeRRY AT 1:54 "TURN IT UP"
Miss you Pigpen❤these were my fav years of the Dead ✨✌️🙌