Ron "Pigpen" McKernan

September 8, 1945 – March 8, 1973. McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, to an R&B DJ. He became a fixture on the San Francisco coffee house scene that spawned the Grateful Dead and their contemporaries, going on to play in every recording incarnation of the band. Over the years Pigpen contributed vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and some guitar.