Brent Mydland
Brent Mydland (October 21, 1952 – July 26, 1990) was an American keyboardist and singer. He was a member of the rock band The Grateful Dead from 1979 to 1990, a longer tenure than any other keyboardist in the band.
Brent Mydland | |
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Brent Mydland in 1987 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | October 21, 1952 Munich, West Germany |
| Origin | Concord, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 1990 (aged 37) Lafayette, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1971–1990 |
| Labels | Warner Bros. Arista |
Growing up in Concord, California, Mydland took up music while in elementary school. After graduation, he played with a number of bands and recorded one album with Silver before joining Bobby and the Midnites with Bob Weir and jazz veterans Billy Cobham and Alphonso Johnson. This led to an invitation to join the Dead in 1979, replacing Keith Godchaux who had decided to leave. Mydland quickly became an important member in the Dead, using a variety of keyboards including Hammond organ and various synthesizers and singing regularly. He wrote several songs on the band's studio albums released while he was a member.
After a tour in the early summer 1990, Mydland died of an accidental drug overdose.