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Donna Jean Godchaux Discography

Donna Jean Godchaux was a member of the Grateful Dead from 1972 to February 1979. She was also a member of the Jerry Garcia Band in the mid to late 1970's.

Before joining the Dead Donna Jean was a session singer firstly in the Muscle Shoals, Memphis and Nashville area and subsequently on the West Coast. This aspect of the discography has only been superficially explored to date.

Additions, corrections and comments are welcome



Related discography pages:

Keith And Donna Band
Donna Jean And The Tricksters
Donna Jean Band
Ghosts / Heart Of Gold Band
Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue
Southern Comfort


Discography sections: Solo/group leader | With the Grateful Dead | Contributions to other albums | Covers of compositions

Solo, group leader or co-leader albums, singles and compilations

info Milk And Honey / Don't Take Your Sweet Love Away, Southern Comfort, 1970, Cotillion 45-44043
info Keith and Donna Godchaux, Keith and Donna Godchaux, 1975
info Sampler For Deadheads (#2 of 3), O&ITW / Keith and Donna, 1975
info For Dead Heads, Various Artists, 1976 (US)
info For Dead Heads, Various Artists, 1976
info The Ghosts Playing In The Heart Of Gold Band, The Ghosts, 1984
info Heart Of Gold Band, Heart Of Gold Band, 1986
info Double Dose, Heart Of Gold Band, 1989
info Relix Best Of The Blues Vol 3, Various Artists, 1997
info Heart Of Gold Band, Heart Of Gold Band, 1998
info Donna Jean, Donna Jean Band, 1998
info The Third Annual Gathering on the Mountain, Various Artists, 1999
info At The Table, The Heart Of Gold Band, 2004
info Donna Jean and the Tricksters, Donna Jean and the Tricksters, 2008
info Iridium Live 004: 7.12.2012, Donna Jean Godchaux Band, 2012
info Back Around, Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Jeff Matson, 2014

With the Grateful Dead

Major studio and live albums, singles and compilations

info Europe '72, Grateful Dead, 1972
info Single: Sugar Magnolia / Mr. Charlie, Grateful Dead, 1972
info Glastonbury Fayre, Various Artists, 1972
info Single: Let Me Sing Your Blues Away / Here Comes Sunshine, Grateful Dead, 1973
info Wake Of The Flood, Grateful Dead, 1974
info Single: Eyes Of The World / Weather Report Suite Part 1, Grateful Dead, 1973
info From The Mars Hotel, Grateful Dead, 1974
info Single: Truckin' / Sugar Magnolia, Grateful Dead, 1974?
info Single: U. S. Blues / Loose Lucy, Grateful Dead, 1974
info Skeletons From The Closet, Grateful Dead, 1974
info Blues For Allah, Grateful Dead, 1975
info Single (The Music Never Stopped / Help On The Way), Grateful Dead, 1975
info Single: Franklin's Tower / Help On The Way, Grateful Dead, 1976
info Steal Your Face, Grateful Dead, 1976
info Terrapin Station, Grateful Dead, 1977
info Single: Dancing In The Streets / Terrapin Station, Grateful Dead, 1977
info Single: Passenger / Terrapin Station, Grateful Dead, 1977
info What A Long Strange Trip It's Been, Grateful Dead, 1977
info Wake Of The Flood / From The Mars Hotel, Grateful Dead, 1977?
info Arista World Pop, Various Artists, 1977?
info Shakedown Street, Grateful Dead, 1978
info Single: Good Lovin' / Stagger Lee, Grateful Dead, 1978
info Grateful Dead Sampler, Various Artists, 1978
info Single: Shakedown Street / France, Grateful Dead, 1979
info Single: Alabama Getaway / Far From Me, Grateful Dead, 1980
info Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Sampler, Various Artists, 1985
info Dead Zone: The Grateful Dead CD Collection (1977-1987), Grateful Dead, 1987
info Der Sampler 32, Various Artists, 1989
info Delco Electronics Music System Sampler, Various Artists, 198?
info One From The Vault, Grateful Dead, 1991
info Max Weinberg Presents - Let There Be Drums, Vol. 3, Various Artists, 1994
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 3, Grateful Dead, 1995
info Hundred Year Hall, Grateful Dead, 1995
info The Arista Years, Grateful Dead, 1996
info Fallout From The Phil Zone, Grateful Dead, 1997
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 7, Grateful Dead, 1997
info Guitars On Mars - Ocean of Sound, Vol. 4, Various Artists, 1997
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 10, Grateful Dead, 1998
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 11, Grateful Dead, 1998
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 12, Grateful Dead, 1998
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 15, Grateful Dead, 1999
info So Many Roads (1965-1995), Grateful Dead, 1999
info So Many Roads Sampler, Grateful Dead, 1999
info SNL 25 Saturday Night Live: The Musical Performances, Vol. 1, Various Artists, 1999
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 18, Grateful Dead, 2000
info Best Of The Grateful Dead Hour, Grateful Dead, 2000
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 19, Grateful Dead, 2000
info San Francisco 49ers: Greatest Hits, Vol. 1, Various Artists, 2000
info Around The Fire Soundtrack, Various Artists, 2000
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 20, Grateful Dead, 2001
info The Golden Road (1965-1973), Grateful Dead, 2001
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 23, Grateful Dead, 2001
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 24, Grateful Dead, 2002
info Steppin' Out with the Grateful Dead: England '72, Grateful Dead, July 2002
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 25, Grateful Dead, 2002
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 28, Grateful Dead, 2003
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 29, Grateful Dead, 2003
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 30, Grateful Dead, 2003
info The Closing of Winterland, Grateful Dead, 2003
info The Very Best Of The Grateful Dead, Grateful Dead, 2003
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 31, Grateful Dead, 2004
info Weir Here: The Best Of Bob Weir, Bob Weir, 2004
info Rockin' The Rhein, Grateful Dead, 2004
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 33, Grateful Dead, 2004
info Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack, Grateful Dead, 2004
info Beyond Description, Grateful Dead, Oct 2004
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 34, Grateful Dead, 2005
info Grateful Dead Download Series Vol. 4: 6/18/76, Grateful Dead, 2005
info Dick's Picks, Vol. 36, Grateful Dead, 2005
info Grateful Dead Download Series Volume 10 - 7/21/72, Grateful Dead, 2006
info Live at the Cow Palace: New Year's Eve 1976, Grateful Dead, 2006
info Road Trips: Vol 1, Number 2: October 1977, Grateful Dead, 2008
info Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2008
info Rocking The Cradle: Egypt 1978, Grateful Dead, 2008
info Road Trips: Vol 1, Number 4: Winterland 1978, Grateful Dead, 2008
info To Terrapin: Hartford '77, Grateful Dead, 2009
info Road Trips: Vol 2, Number 3: June 1974, Wall Of Sound, Grateful Dead, 2009
info Winterland June 1977: The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2009
info Road Trips: Vol 4, Number 3: Denver 1973, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72, The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72, Vol. 2, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England, 4/7/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Wembley Empire Pool, London, England, 4/8/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: City Hall, Newcastle, England, 4/11/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4/14/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark, 4/16/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4/17/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Road Trips: Vol 4, Number 5: Boston Music Hall 6.9.76, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Beat Club, Bremen, West Germany, 4/21/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Rheinhalle, Dusseldorf, West Germany, 4/24/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Jahrhundert Halle, Frankfurt, West Germany, 4/26/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Musikhalle, Hamburg, West Germany, 4/29/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Olympia Theatre, Paris, France, 5/3/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Olympia Theatre, Paris, France, 5/4/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Bickershaw Festival, Wigan, England, 5/7/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland, 5/10/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Rotterdam Civic Hall, Rotterdam, Holland, 5/11/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Lille Fairgrounds, Lille, France, 5/13/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Theatre Hall, Luxembourg, 5/16/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Kongressaal, Munich, West Germany, 5/18/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Strand Lyceum, London, England, 5/23/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Strand Lyceum, London, England, 5/24/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Strand Lyceum, London, England, 5/25/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Europe '72: Strand Lyceum, London, England, 5/26/1972, Grateful Dead, 2011
info Dave's Picks Volume 1: The Mosque, Richmond, VA, 5/25/77, Grateful Dead, 2012
info Dave's Picks Volume 2: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT, 7/31/74, Grateful Dead, 2012
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2012, Grateful Dead, 2012
info Dave's Picks Volume 4: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 9/24/76, Grateful Dead, 2012
info Dave's Picks Volume 5: Pauley Pavilion, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 17/11/73, Grateful Dead, 2013
info May 1977, Grateful Dead, 2013
info Dave's Picks Volume 7: Horton Field House, Illinois State, Normal, 4/24/78, Grateful Dead, 2013
info Sunshine Daydream, Veneta, 8/27/72, Grateful Dead, 2013
info Dave's Picks Volume 9: Harry Adams Field House, U. of Montana, Missoula, 5/14/74, Grateful Dead, 2014
info Dave's Picks Volume 11: Wichita, KS, 11/17/72, Grateful Dead, 2014
info Dave's Picks Volume 12: Hamilton, NY, 11/4/77, Grateful Dead, 2014
info Houston, Texas, 11/18/1972, Grateful Dead, 2014
info Dave's Picks Volume 13: Winterland, SF, 2/24/74, Grateful Dead, 2015
info The Best Of The Grateful Dead, 2015
info Dave's Picks Volume 14: Academy Of Music, NYC, 3/26/72, Grateful Dead, 2015
info Dave's Picks Volume 15: Nashville, 4/22/78, Grateful Dead, 2015
info Dave's Picks Volume 16: Springfield, 3/28/73, Grateful Dead, 2015
info Ramble On Rose, Grateful Dead, 2015
info Dave's Picks Volume 17: Fresno, 7/19/74, Grateful Dead, 2016
info Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, 4/25/77, Grateful Dead, 2016
info Dave's Picks Volume 18: San Francisco, 7/17/76, Grateful Dead, 2016
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2016, Grateful Dead, 2016
info July 1978: The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2016
info Red Rocks: 7/8/78, Grateful Dead, 2016
info Dave's Picks Volume 21: Boston, 4/2/73, Grateful Dead, 2017
info May 1977: Get Shown the Light, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Cornell 5/8/77, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Long Strange Trip, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Long Strange Trip: Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Dave's Picks Volume 23: Eugene, 1/22/78, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Dave's Picks Volume 24: Berkeley, 8/25/72, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Too Slow To Disco 3, Various Artists, 2017
info Grateful Dead Records Collection, Grateful Dead, 2017
info Dave's Picks Volume 25: Binghampton, 11/6/77, Grateful Dead, 2018
info The Best Of The Grateful Dead Live, 2018
info Pacific Northwest '73-'74: The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2018
info Pacific Northwest '73-'74: Believe It If You Need It, Grateful Dead, 2018
info Portland Memorial Coliseum 5/19/74, Grateful Dead, 2018
info Dave's Picks Volume 28: Passaic, 6/17/76, Grateful Dead, 2018
info Playing In The Band, Seattle, Washington 5/21/74, Grateful Dead, 2018
info Dave's Picks Volume 29: San Bernardino, 2/26/77, Grateful Dead, 2019
info Sage And Spirit, Grateful Dead, 2019
info Dave's Picks Volume 32: Philadelphia, 3/24/73, Grateful Dead, 2019
info Dave's Picks Volume 33: Dekalb, 10/29/77, Grateful Dead, 2020
info June 1976, Grateful Dead, 2020
info Dave's Picks Volume 34: Miami 6/23/74, Grateful Dead, 2020
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2020, Grateful Dead, 2020
info The Story Of The Grateful Dead, Grateful Dead, 2020
info Buffalo 5/9/77, Grateful Dead, 2020
info Fire On The Mountain Soundtrack, Grateful Dead, 2020
info Dave's Picks Volume 37: Williamsburg, 4/15/78, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Dave's Picks Volume 38: Nassau Coliseum, 9/8/73, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Olympia Theatre, Paris, France, 5/3/1972, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2021, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Light Into Ashes: Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO, 10-18-72, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Listen to the River: St. Louis '71 '72 '73, Grateful Dead, 2021
info Garcia Live: Volume 17: Norcal '76, Jerry Garcia Band, 2021
info Dave's Picks Volume 41: Baltimore, 5/26/77, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Dave's Picks Volume 42: Winterland, 2/23/74, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2022, Grateful Dead, 2022
info From The Bay To The Pool: Live 1971-1978, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Wembley Empire Pool, London, England, 4/8/1972, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Lyceum '72: The Complete Recordings, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Wembley Empire Pool, London, England, 4/7/1972, Grateful Dead, 2022
info Dave's Picks Volume 45 Portland, OR, 10/1 & 2/77, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Boston 5/7/77, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Dave's Picks Volume 46 Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA, 9/9/72, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Dave's Picks Bonus CD 2023, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Here Comes Sunshine 1973, Grateful Dead, 2023
info RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. 6/10/73, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Wake Of The Flood: The Angel's Share, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Wake Of The Flood: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, Grateful Dead, 2023
info Wake Of The Flood: 50th Anniversary LPs, Grateful Dead, 2023

Playing contributions to other performer recordings

Before joining the Grateful Dead Donna Jean Godchaux (Donna Jean Thatcher) worked as a backing singer on many recordings. Her first recording session was with Ray Stevens probably in early 1966. In addition to the artists listed below she also recorded with Solomon Burke, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Joe Tex, Joe Simon, Benny King, Neil Diamond, Dionne Warwick, the Boxtops, and others. There are, no doubt, also other recordings with some of the artists listed below that are not documented here. This section of the discography is far from complete. Italics indicate that it is not known if Donna contributed to the track.

With others - albums and singles

no info Single: When A Man Loves A Woman / Love Me Like You Mean It, Percy Sledge, 1966
info From Elvis In Memphis, Elvis Presley, 1969
no info Single: In The Ghetto / Any Day Now, Elvis Presley, 1969
no info Single: Suspicious Minds / You'll Think Of Me, Elvis Presley, 1969
info 3614 Jackson Highway, Cher, 1969
no info Single: I Walk On Guilded Splinters / Chastity's Song (Band Of Thieves), Cher, 1969
no info Single: For What It's Worth / (Just Enough To Keep Me) Hangin' On, Cher, 1969
info Glass Onion, Arif Mardin & His Orchestra, 1969
no info Single (Sympathy For The Devil / Glass Onion), Arif Mardin & His Orchestra, 1969?
no info Single (Strange Brew / Proud Mary), Arif Mardin & His Orchestra, 1969?
no info Single: Lay Baby Lay, / (Just Enough To Keep Me) Hangin' On, Cher, 1970
info Elvis Back In Memphis, Elvis Presley, 1970
info Moments, Judy Mayhan, 1970
info Duncan Pain, Duncan Pain, 1970
info Boz Scaggs, Boz Scaggs, 1970
info Ton Ton Macoute, Johnny Jenkins, 1970
info Pipedream, Tim Davis, 1971
info Ace, Bob Weir, 1972
info Single (One More Saturday Night / Cassidy), Bob Weir, 1972
info Demon In Disguise, David Bromberg, 1972
info Gypsy Cowboy, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, 1972
no info Single: Groupie / She's No Angel, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 1973
info The Adventures Of Panama Red, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, 1973
info Slewfoot, David Rea, 1973
info Tales Of The Great Rum Runners, Robert Hunter, 1974
info Single: Rum Runners / It Must Have Been The Roses, Robert Hunter, 1974
info Tiger Rose, Robert Hunter, 1975
info Reflections, Jerry Garcia, 1976
info Cats Under The Stars, Jerry Garcia Band, 1978
info Here Goes Nothing, Zero, 1987
info Laughing Water, Jazz Is Dead, 1999
info 3614 Jackson Highway (Extended CD release), Cher, 2000?
info Don't Let Go, Jerry Garcia Band, 2001
info Worcester, MA, 4/4/1973, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 2003
info All Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions, Jerry Garcia / Jerry Garcia Band, 2004
info Pure Jerry: Theatre 1839, July 29 & 30, 1977, Jerry Garcia Band, 2004
info Pure Jerry: Warner Theatre, March 18, 1978, Jerry Garcia Band, 2005
info Garcia Plays Dylan, Jerry Garcia Band / Grateful Dead, 2005
info Mariaville, NY, August 12, 2005, Ratdog, 2005
info The Very Best Of Jerry Garcia, Jerry Garcia, 2006
info For Rex : The Black Tie Dye Ball, The Zen Tricksters and Special Guests, 2006
info Grateful Fest 6: Friday August 19, 2005, Various Artists, 2006
info March 11, 2006, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom: Denver, CO, Zero, 2006
info June 10, 2006, Harmony Festival 2006: Santa Rosa, CA, Zero
info June 29, 2006, Late Night Show: High Sierra Music Festival 2006, Zero
info June 30, 2006, High Sierra Music Festival 2006: Quincy, CA, Zero
info August 20, 2006, Gathering of the Vibes 2006: Mariaville, NY, Zero
info November 17, 2006, Crystal Ballroom: Portland, OR, Zero
info November 18, 2006, WOW Hall: Eugene, OR, Zero
info January 3, 2007, Teatro dell'Opera: Jam Cruise 5, Zero
info January 4, 2007, Teatro dell'Opera: Jam Cruise 5, Zero
info January 18, 2007, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom: Denver, CO, Zero
info January 19, 2007, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom: Denver, CO, Zero
info January 20, 2007, Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom: Denver, CO, Zero
info February 3, 2007, Fillmore Auditorium: San Francisco, CA, Zero
info April 18, 2007, State Theatre, VA, Zero
info April 19, 2007, Rams Head Live, MD, Zero
info April 20, 2007, Gramercy Theatre, NY, Zero
info April 21, 2007, Grand Central Station, NY, Zero
info May 19, 2007, Crystal Bay Club, Crown Room, NV, Zero
info May 20, 2007, Crystal Bay Club, Crown Room, NV, Zero
info May 26, 2007, Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, CA, Zero
info George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville, AR, September 08, 2007, Steve Kimock & Friends, 2007
info George's Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville, AR, September 09, 2007, Steve Kimock & Friends, 2007
info August 8, 2008, Fillmore Auditorium: Tribute to Martin Fierro, Zero and Friends
info Pure Jerry: Jerry Garcia Band, San Francisco Bay Area 1978, Jerry Garcia Band, 2009
info Bridgeport, CT, July 25, 2009, Ratdog, 2009
info Move Me Brightly performance/documentary, 2013
info Garcia Live: Volume Four: March 22nd, 1978 Veteran's Hall, Jerry Garcia Band, 2014
info Garcia Live: Volume Seven: November 8, 1976, Sophie's, Palo Alto, Jerry Garcia Band, 2016
info Ace: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, Bob Weir, 2023
info Might As Well: A Round Records Retrospective, Jerry Garcia, 2023

With others - compilations

Some of the recordings that include Donna Thatcher on backing vocals, such as When A Man Loves A Woman and Suspicious Minds, have been included on numerous compilations. The list below is not intended to be complete but is a selection of compilations that include tracks on which she is involved.

info You'll Never Walk Alone, Elvis Presley, 1971
info Burbank, Various Artists, 1972
info Display Case Vol. 7, Various Artists, 1972
info Rock's Greatest Hits, Various Artists, 1972
info An Anthology, Vol. 2, Duane Allman, 1974
info Sampler For Deadheads (#1 of 3), Jerry Garcia / Robert Hunter, 1975
no info The Beat Goes On, Sonny & Cher, 1976
info Out Of The Blues, David Bromberg, 1977
info Arista AOR Sampler, Various Artists, 1978
info Promontory Rider - A Retrospective Collection, Robert Hunter, 1982
info Memphis Record, Elvis Presley, 1987
info Der Sampler 32, Various Artists, 1989
info Songs from the Sacred Napkin, Various Artists, 1990
info L.A. Lady, The New Riders Of The Purple Sage, 1991
info It Tears Me Up: The Best Of Percy Sledge, Percy Sledge, 1992
info From Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters, Elvis Presley, 1993
info Wasted Tasters, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 1998
info Gypsy Cowboy/Panama Red, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 2000
info Ridin' with Panama Red, New Riders of the Purple Sage, 2000
info Weir Here: The Best Of Bob Weir, Bob Weir, 2004
info David Bromberg / Demon In Disguise, David Bromberg, 2008
info Instant Armadillo Blues: Best of 1971-1975, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, 2011
info Skydog: The Duane Allman Retrospective, Duane Allman / Various Artists, 2013
info Original Album Classics, The New Riders Of The Purple Sage, 2017

Albums that include cover versions of Donna Jean Godchaux compositions

Compositions on albums - major albums

info Here Goes Nothing, Zero, 1987
info Terrapin, Joe Gallant and Illuminati, 1999
info The 1000th Show, Dark Star Orchestra, 2005


Last updated July 2023