Brent Mydland
Encyclopedia
Brent Mydland was the fourth keyboardist
to play for the American
rock band the Grateful Dead
. He was with the band for eleven years, longer than any other keyboardist.
, Germany
as the child of a Norwegian U.S. Army chaplain, Mydland moved to San Francisco, California
with his parents at the age of one. Mydland spent most of his childhood living in the San Joaquin-Sacramento/Delta's Bethel Island of California. He started piano lessons at age 6 and had formal classical lessons through his junior year in high school. His mother, a graveyard shift nurse, encouraged Mydland's talents by insisting that he practice his music for two hours each day. He played trumpet at Oakley Elementary School; his schoolmates remember him practicing on an accordion, as well as the piano, every day after school. "In late high school," he said, "I got into playing rock 'n' roll with friends and it was like I had to start from the beginning almost, because if I didn't have a piece of music in front of me I couldn't do much. I changed my outlook on playing real fast after that. I think dope [pot] had something to do with that." He was influenced by rock organists like Lee Michaels, Ray Manzarek and Goldie McJohn of Steppenwolf, and was in a series of bands that never amounted to much. In the late '60s he bought the first albums by the Airplane and the Dead, and he said "I was even in a band where I used to sing 'Morning Dew,' and we did 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,' too."
Brent graduated from Liberty Union High School in 1971.
solo project called the Bob Weir Band. On April 16, 1979, he joined the Grateful Dead, replacing Keith Godchaux
and Donna Godchaux
. The couple had been asked to leave the band in February of that year, due to poor performance throughout the past year. Mydland was also in another of Weir's bands, Bobby and the Midnites
, in 1980 and 1981. In 1986, Brent Mydland formed Go Ahead with several Bay area musicians, including Bill Kreutzmann
and Jesse Colin Young
and ex Santana members Alex Ligertwood
and David Margen.The band toured during the time Jerry Garcia
was recovering from a coma. Mydland's last show with The Grateful Dead was on 23 July 1990 at The World Music Theater (which became the Tweeter Center, and is now the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre) in Tinley Park, IL.
Mydland quickly became an integral part of the Dead, not least because of his songwriting contributions. 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 the train song "Tons of Steel". Built to Last
(1989) featured several more of Mydland's works, most notably the moody "Just a Little Light", the environmental song "We Can Run, But We Can't Hide", the live performance driven "Blow Away", and the poignant "I Will Take You Home", a lullaby
written with Barlow for Mydland's two daughters.
Mydland easily fit into the band's sound and added his own contributions. His high, gravelly vocal harmonies and emotional leads added to the band's singing strength, and highlighted several old favorites like "Cassidy", "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo", "Ramble on Rose" as well as covers like Traffic
's "Dear Mr. Fantasy
", the Beatles' Hey Jude
and the Band's "The Weight
". Mydland enjoyed the organ and several other experimental tones, whereas in concert, his predecessor had usually preferred the piano. Mydland played several different electric pianos and synthesizers throughout his tenure, including a Fender Rhodes, the early Yamaha digital synth GS-1, Yamaha CP-70, and a Kurzweil Midiboard (midied to Roland MKS20). Ron "Pigpen" McKernan's Hammond B-3 stayed with him throughout his entire tenure.
at his home on "My Road" in Lafayette, California
, on July 26, 1990, shortly after completing the band's summer tour. His last solo line with the band was "I've gotta go, but my friends can stick around" during their cover of "The Weight
". Throughout the last year of his life, he became increasingly more distant from his wife and daughters, mainly due to the band's excessive touring. This began to take its toll. Some would even say his performances became more riveting, and soulful, driven by something deep inside of him. Off stage, he became depressed, knowing he didn't have his family to come home to. When he passed away, the band was affected greatly, especially Jerry Garcia
, who relapsed in response to his death. The band had to reconstruct, and replace the irreplaceable.
Mydland was replaced by Vince Welnick
on synthesizers and vocals, and, for a short time, temporary fill-in Bruce Hornsby
on grand piano and accordion.
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
to play for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
. He was with the band for eleven years, longer than any other keyboardist.
Early life
Born in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
as the child of a Norwegian U.S. Army chaplain, Mydland moved to San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
with his parents at the age of one. Mydland spent most of his childhood living in the San Joaquin-Sacramento/Delta's Bethel Island of California. He started piano lessons at age 6 and had formal classical lessons through his junior year in high school. His mother, a graveyard shift nurse, encouraged Mydland's talents by insisting that he practice his music for two hours each day. He played trumpet at Oakley Elementary School; his schoolmates remember him practicing on an accordion, as well as the piano, every day after school. "In late high school," he said, "I got into playing rock 'n' roll with friends and it was like I had to start from the beginning almost, because if I didn't have a piece of music in front of me I couldn't do much. I changed my outlook on playing real fast after that. I think dope [pot] had something to do with that." He was influenced by rock organists like Lee Michaels, Ray Manzarek and Goldie McJohn of Steppenwolf, and was in a series of bands that never amounted to much. In the late '60s he bought the first albums by the Airplane and the Dead, and he said "I was even in a band where I used to sing 'Morning Dew,' and we did 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl,' too."
Brent graduated from Liberty Union High School in 1971.
Grateful Dead
In 1978, Brent Mydland had played in a Bob WeirBob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
solo project called the Bob Weir Band. On April 16, 1979, he joined the Grateful Dead, replacing Keith Godchaux
Keith Godchaux
Keith Richard Godchaux was a musician best known for his tenure in the rock group the Grateful Dead.-Biography:Keith Godchaux was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Concord, California...
and Donna Godchaux
Donna Godchaux
Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay is an American singer best known for having been a member of the Grateful Dead rock group.-Biography:...
. The couple had been asked to leave the band in February of that year, due to poor performance throughout the past year. Mydland was also in another of Weir's bands, Bobby and the Midnites
Bobby and the Midnites
Bobby and the Midnites was a rock group led by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. The band was Weir's main side project during the first half of the 1980s. They released two albums, but were better known for their live concerts than for their work in the recording studio...
, in 1980 and 1981. In 1986, Brent Mydland formed Go Ahead with several Bay area musicians, including Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann is an American drummer who played with the rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career...
and Jesse Colin Young
Jesse Colin Young
Jesse Colin Young is an American singer / songwriter / folksinger and a founding member of the group The Youngbloods.-Early life:...
and ex Santana members Alex Ligertwood
Alex Ligertwood
Alex Ligertwood is a Scottish singer, guitarist and drummer, best known as the lead vocalist of Santana...
and David Margen.The band toured during the time Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
was recovering from a coma. Mydland's last show with The Grateful Dead was on 23 July 1990 at The World Music Theater (which became the Tweeter Center, and is now the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre) in Tinley Park, IL.
Mydland quickly became an integral part of the Dead, not least because of his songwriting contributions. Go to Heaven
Go to Heaven
Go to Heaven is the eleventh studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was released on April 28, 1980.The album was released for the first time on CD in 1990 by Arista Records before being re-released in 2000 by BMG International. It was then remastered, expanded, and released as part of the Beyond...
(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
John Perry Barlow
John Perry Barlow is an American poet and essayist, a retired Wyoming cattle rancher, and a cyberlibertarian political activist who has been associated with both the Democratic and Republican parties. He is also a former lyricist for the Grateful Dead and a founding member of the Electronic...
. 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 the train song "Tons of Steel". Built to Last
Built to Last
Built to Last is the thirteenth and final studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded between February 1 and October 20, 1989 and originally released on October 31, 1989....
(1989) featured several more of Mydland's works, most notably the moody "Just a Little Light", the environmental song "We Can Run, But We Can't Hide", the live performance driven "Blow Away", and the poignant "I Will Take You Home", a lullaby
Lullaby
A lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
written with Barlow for Mydland's two daughters.
Mydland easily fit into the band's sound and added his own contributions. His high, gravelly vocal harmonies and emotional leads added to the band's singing strength, and highlighted several old favorites like "Cassidy", "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo", "Ramble on Rose" as well as covers like Traffic
Traffic (band)
Traffic were an English rock band whose members came from the West Midlands. The group formed in April 1967 by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood and Dave Mason...
's "Dear Mr. Fantasy
Dear Mr. Fantasy
"Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a rock song by Traffic from their 1967 album, Mr. Fantasy. An extended live version of the song also appears on the 1971 Traffic album Welcome to the Canteen...
", the Beatles' Hey Jude
Hey Jude
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
and the Band's "The Weight
The Weight
"The Weight" is a song written by Robbie Robertson. It was released by The Band as Capitol Records single 2269 in 1968, and appeared one week later on the group's debut album Music from Big Pink. The song is listed as #41 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004, and...
". Mydland enjoyed the organ and several other experimental tones, whereas in concert, his predecessor had usually preferred the piano. Mydland played several different electric pianos and synthesizers throughout his tenure, including a Fender Rhodes, the early Yamaha digital synth GS-1, Yamaha CP-70, and a Kurzweil Midiboard (midied to Roland MKS20). Ron "Pigpen" McKernan's Hammond B-3 stayed with him throughout his entire tenure.
Death
Brent Mydland died of an accidental drug overdoseDrug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
at his home on "My Road" in Lafayette, California
Lafayette, California
Lafayette is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 23,893. It was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War...
, on July 26, 1990, shortly after completing the band's summer tour. His last solo line with the band was "I've gotta go, but my friends can stick around" during their cover of "The Weight
The Weight
"The Weight" is a song written by Robbie Robertson. It was released by The Band as Capitol Records single 2269 in 1968, and appeared one week later on the group's debut album Music from Big Pink. The song is listed as #41 on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time published in 2004, and...
". Throughout the last year of his life, he became increasingly more distant from his wife and daughters, mainly due to the band's excessive touring. This began to take its toll. Some would even say his performances became more riveting, and soulful, driven by something deep inside of him. Off stage, he became depressed, knowing he didn't have his family to come home to. When he passed away, the band was affected greatly, especially Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia
Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead...
, who relapsed in response to his death. The band had to reconstruct, and replace the irreplaceable.
Mydland was replaced by Vince Welnick
Vince Welnick
Vince Welnick was an American keyboardist, best known for playing with the band The Tubes during the 1970s and 1980s and with the Grateful Dead in the 1990s.-Music career:...
on synthesizers and vocals, and, for a short time, temporary fill-in Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Randall Hornsby is an American singer, pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. Known for the spontaneity and creativity of his live performances, Hornsby draws frequently from classical, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Motown, rock, blues, and jam band musical traditions with his songwriting and...
on grand piano and accordion.
Grateful Dead studio and current live albums
- Go to HeavenGo to HeavenGo to Heaven is the eleventh studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was released on April 28, 1980.The album was released for the first time on CD in 1990 by Arista Records before being re-released in 2000 by BMG International. It was then remastered, expanded, and released as part of the Beyond...
– 1980 - ReckoningReckoning (Grateful Dead album)Reckoning is a 1981 live double album by the Grateful Dead.It consists of acoustic material recorded live in September and October 1980. Some of the tracks are shortened versions of the live performances....
– 1981 - Dead Set – 1981
- In the Dark – 1987
- Dylan & the DeadDylan & The DeadDylan & the Dead is a collaborative live album by Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, released in 1989 by Columbia Records. It consists of seven songs written and sung by Dylan, with the Dead providing accompaniment. The album was produced by Jerry Garcia and John Cutler.Dylan & the Dead was...
- 1989 - Built to LastBuilt to LastBuilt to Last is the thirteenth and final studio album by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded between February 1 and October 20, 1989 and originally released on October 31, 1989....
– 1989 - Without a NetWithout a NetWithout a Net is a recording of the Grateful Dead performing live in concert. It was released in 1990. The album is dedicated to Clifton Hanger, a name keyboardist Brent Mydland used to sign in hotel guestbooks. Mydland died during this album's post-production of a drug overdose...
- 1990
Grateful Dead retrospective live albums
- Infrared RosesInfrared RosesInfrared Roses is a live compilation album by the Grateful Dead. It is a conglomeration of their famous improvisational segments "Drums" and "Space."...
–1991 - GrayfoldedGrayfoldedGrayfolded is an album produced by John Oswald featuring the Grateful Dead song "Dark Star". The album's name, Grayfolded, is a homophone of "Grateful Dead".-Creation:...
– 1994 - Dick's Picks Volume 5Dick's Picks Volume 5Dick's Picks Volume 5 is the fifth live album in the Dick's Picks series of releases by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded on December 26, 1979 at the Oakland Auditorium Arena in Oakland, California. It was released in May 1996....
– 1996 - Dozin' at the KnickDozin' at the KnickDozin' at The Knick is a recording of the Grateful Dead performing live in concert at the Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, New York. It was recorded from March 24-26, 1990 and was released in 1996. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 28, 2000. Fans of the Dead frequently refer to the...
– 1996 - Dick's Picks Volume 6Dick's Picks Volume 6Dick's Picks Volume 6 is the sixth live album in the Dick's Picks series of releases by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded on October 14, 1983 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The album, on three CDs, contains the complete show from that night...
– 1996 - Terrapin Station (Limited Edition)Terrapin Station (Limited Edition)Terrapin Station is a triple live album by the Grateful Dead released in 1997. It was recorded on March 15, 1990 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland and contained a rare Beatles cover, "Revolution"...
– 1997 - Fallout from the Phil ZoneFallout from the Phil ZoneFallout from the Phil Zone is a double compilation album of live recordings by the Grateful Dead handpicked by the band's bassist Phil Lesh. It contains the first Grateful Dead CD releases of "In the Midnight Hour" and Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna"...
– 1997 - Dick's Picks Volume 13Dick's Picks Volume 13Dick's Picks Volume 13 is the thirteenth live album in the Dick's Picks series of releases by the Grateful Dead. It contains the complete show recorded on May 6, 1981 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.-Caveat emptor:...
– 1999 - View from the Vault, Volume OneView From The Vault, Volume OneView from the Vault, Volume One, sometimes known simply as View from the Vault, is the first release in a series of DVDs and companion soundtracks by the Grateful Dead known as "View from the Vault". The audio is taken from the soundboard and the video from the video screens at the concerts...
– 2000 - Dick's Picks Volume 21 – 2001
- Nightfall of DiamondsNightfall of DiamondsNightfall of Diamonds is a double live album by the Grateful Dead released in 2001. It was recorded on October 16, 1989 at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford...
– 2001 - Postcards of the Hanging – March 2002
- View from the Vault, Volume ThreeView from the Vault, Volume ThreeView from the Vault, Volume Three is the third release in the "View from the Vault" series by the Grateful Dead. It was released simultaneously as a three disc album on CD and as a concert performance video on DVD...
– 2002 - Go to Nassau – 2002
- View from the Vault, Volume FourView from the Vault, Volume FourView from the Vault, Volume Four is the fourth release in the "View from the Vault" series of rock concert recordings by the Grateful Dead. Like the other entries in the series, it was released simultaneously as an album on CD and as a concert performance video on DVD...
– 2003 - Dick's Picks Volume 32Dick's Picks Volume 32Dick's Picks Volume 32 is the thirty-second installment of the Dick's Pick's series of Grateful Dead concert recordings. It is a two CD set that contains one complete show, recorded on August 7, 1982 at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin.An outdoor theater in rural southeastern...
– 2004 - Truckin' Up to BuffaloTruckin' Up to BuffaloTruckin' Up to Buffalo is a double CD soundtrack to the DVD video of the same name by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park on July 4, 1989. There are no differences in the track listings of the CD and DVD versions...
– 2005 - Road Trips Volume 1 Number 1Road Trips Volume 1 Number 1Road Trips Volume 1 Number 1 is a live album by the Grateful Dead. It contains highlights from their fall 1979 tour of the East Coast. It was released on November 5, 2007.-Disc One:...
– 2007 - Road Trips Volume 3 Number 1Road Trips Volume 3 Number 1Road Trips Volume 3 Number 1 is a two-CD live album by the American rock band the Grateful Dead. The ninth in their "Road Trips" series of albums, it was recorded on December 28, 1979, at the Oakland Auditorium in Oakland, California, and contains the complete show from that date...
– 2009
Other artists
- Silver – SilverSilver (band)Silver was an American 1970s country-rock band, best known for their bubblegum 1976 hit "Wham Bam".Members of the group included John Batdorf , lead vocals and guitar; Brent Mydland , keyboards and vocals; Tom Leadon , bass guitar and vocals; Greg Collier, guitar and vocals; and Harry...
– 1976 - Sweet Surprise – Eric AndersenEric AndersenEric Andersen is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:In the early 1960s, Eric Andersen was part of the Greenwich Village folk scene in New York...
– 1976 - Bobby and the Midnites – Bobby and the MidnitesBobby and the MidnitesBobby and the Midnites was a rock group led by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. The band was Weir's main side project during the first half of the 1980s. They released two albums, but were better known for their live concerts than for their work in the recording studio...
– 1981 - A Wing and a Prayer – Matt KellyMatthew Kelly (musician)Matthew Kelly, also known as Matt Kelly, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He plays guitar and harmonica. Kelly is best known for being the leader of the rock band Kingfish, and for his association with Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead....
– 1985 - Down in the GrooveDown in the GrooveDown in the Groove is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's 25th studio album, released by Columbia Records in May 1988.A highly collaborative effort, it was Dylan's second consecutive album to receive almost unanimous negative reviews...
– Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
– 1988 - New Frontier – New Frontier – 1988