10 years ago today (6/2/06), former Grateful Dead/Tubes keyboardist Vince Welnick died at age 55. Welnick was the fourth Dead keyboardist to die young, as he replaced Brent Mydland in the band in 1991 in a co-chair role with Bruce Hornsby. Welnick remained as The Dead’s colorful button down shirted keyboard player until Jerry Garcia’s death in August 1995, when the group disbanded. During his tenue brought along originals that he sang lead vocals on including “Samba in the Rain” and Long Way to Go Home.” Welnick is often remembered as the Dead member who handled Jerry’s death the toughest. Prior to his stint with the Dead, Welnick found some mainstream success with The Tubes whose hits – “Talk To Ya Later” and “She’s A Beauty” were played in heavy rotation on MTV. While playing in the Tubes, he also played and recorded with Todd Rundgren as well.
Watch Welnick perform “Long Way To Go Home” with the Grateful Dead live from 3/25/93.
