Donna Jean was born in Sheffield, Alabama. Prior to 1970, she had worked as a session singer[1] in Muscle Shoals, appearing on songs by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding.[2] She met fellow Grateful Dead member Keith Godchaux and they married in 1970.[3] Donna introduced Keith to Jerry Garcia after Garcia's performance at San Francisco's Keystone Korner in October 1971. At the time, Donna Jean was not working as a musician. She joined the band shortly afterwards, remaining a member until February 1979.

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