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The Grateful Dead celebrated Donna Jean Godchaux\u2019s<\/a> \u201cunmistakable voice and radiant spirit\u201d in a tribute posted following the singer\u2019s death<\/a> at the age of 78.<\/p>\n In a post shared on the Dead\u2019s official Instagram<\/a> page, the band wrote, \u201cIt is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Donna Jean Godchaux. Her unmistakable voice and radiant spirit touched the lives of countless fans and immeasurably enriched the Grateful Dead family.\u201d<\/p>\n More from Rolling Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n Godchaux died on Sunday at a hospice facility in Nashville following a \u201clengthy struggle with cancer,\u201d according to a statement. She spent the Seventies<\/a> singing with the Dead, appearing on classic albums like Europe \u201972<\/em>, Wake of the Flood<\/em>, and Terrapin Station<\/em>, not to mention countless legendary live recordings (including the famed Cornell \u201977 gig and the Dead\u2019s 1978 shows at the Giza pyramid in Egypt).<\/p>\n In their statement, the Dead said Godchaux\u2019s \u201ccontributions will forever remain part of the tapestry that continues to be woven. We send our deepest condolences to her loved ones and ask for privacy for her family during this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir paid tribute<\/a> on his own Instagram page as well. \u201cWell OK, Donna\u2019s moved on,\u201d he wrote. \u201cShe blazed a path in music many aspire to follow. In her quiet, unassuming way she\u2019ll be goin\u2019 for it, even though there may not even be words for what \ud835\ude2a\ud835\ude35 is \u2013 how she always was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Before joining the Grateful Dead, Godchaux worked as a backup singer in Memphis and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, performing on albums and songs by Duane Allman, Cher, Neil Diamond, and Boz Scaggs. She also sang on two Number One hits: Percy Sledge\u2019s \u201cWhen a Man Loves a Woman\u201d and Elvis Presley\u2019s \u201cSuspicious Minds.\u201d<\/p>\n Godchaux joined the Dead in 1971 alongside her husband, Keith, who played keyboards. After the pair left in 1979, they formed a group of their own, the Heart of Gold Band, though Keith died in a car crash in 1980, not long after their first show. While Godchaux stepped away from music for long stretches, she eventually returned, releasing several solo albums and touring frequently with her husband, the bassist David MacKay.<\/p>\n Best of Rolling Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for RollingStone’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n