Heart of Gold Band
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 |
| Founder | Keith Godchaux, Donna Jean Godchaux |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reformed in 2004 and 2016 |
| Headquarters | California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Heart of Gold Band is a rock ensemble from the United States, created by Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux in 1980 following their departure from the Grateful Dead. The band's name is inspired by a phrase found in the Dead's song "Scarlet Begonias."
Original Run
Established in early 1980, the group featured guitarist Steve Kimock, drummer Greg Anton, bassist Dexter LaBlanc, and vocalist Greta Rose alongside the Godchaux couple. Tragically, Keith Godchaux passed away in a car crash on July 23, 1980, soon after their debut performance. Despite this loss, the band persisted for another year, incorporating keyboardist Mark Adler and substituting LaBlanc with David MacKay, who would later become Donna's husband, before ultimately dissolving.
In 1998, a self-titled album was issued containing 13 tracks recorded by the original members, with 11 of these recorded prior to Keith's passing.
Reformation
Donna Godchaux and David MacKay aimed to establish a new project in 2004, initially called "Godchaux MacKay." However, with drummer Greg Anton joining the effort, they revived the Heart of Gold Band moniker. This lineup brought together former keyboardist Mark Adler, percussionist Russ Randolf, their son Zion Godchaux, Keith's sibling Brian Godchaux, and Kinsman MacKay, son of Donna and David. That year, they released At The Table through their independent Heart of Gold Records label.
Following this period, the band has been mostly inactive as Donna Jean has focused on performances with the Donna Jean Godchaux Band.
On August 1, 2016, the Heart of Gold Band reunited at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California to honor Jerry Garcia’s birthday. The gathering included Donna Jean Godchaux Mackay, Steve Kimock, Greg Anton, David Mackay, Mookie Siegel, and Brian Godchaux alongside former Grateful Dead member Bob Weir for several numbers. A high-quality multi-track recording from this event was released in April 2017.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1980 establishments in California
- 1981 disestablishments in California
- Rock music groups from California
- Grateful Dead
- Musical groups established in 1980
- Musical groups disestablished in 1981
- Musical groups reestablished in 2004
- Musical groups reestablished in 2016
- Relix Records artists