GOOD OL’ GRATEFUL DEADCAST

“The Adventures of Pigpen, Part 2”

Date: March 16, 2023
Hosts: Rich Mahan & Jesse Jarnow

Episode Overview

This episode concludes a two-part tribute to Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, the original frontman of the Grateful Dead, on the 50th anniversary of his passing. Drawing deeply from Pigpen’s personal archives (thanks to the McKernan family and archivist Jim Sullivan), original interviews, and rare recordings, the hosts chronicle Pigpen’s journey with the Dead—from the Palo Alto folk scene through the Acid Tests, deep friendships, dynamic stage performances, songwriting, struggles with alcoholism, and his lasting legacy as both an anchor and innovator in the band and broader Dead scene.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Days and Formation of the Dead

• From Jug Band to Rock Band

  • Origins in Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions (w/ Jerry Garcia).
    • [03:59] Audio of "She's on the Road Again," 1964, Pigpen on harmonica and backup vocals.
  • Pigpen’s pivotal role in “going electric.”

    “It was Pigpen who suggested the members of the jug band grab some electric instruments and try playing some rock and roll.” – Rich Mahan [04:00]

  • Early setlists reveal heavy blues, Chuck Berry, Beatles; found in Pigpen’s handwriting.

• Pigpen’s Worldliness and Social Circle

  • Stories from Palo Alto days: Pigpen was “much more worldly” than his young peers, able to buy alcohol for the group. [07:41]
  • Never interested in psychedelics; always a "juicer."

• Transition to the Warlocks/Grateful Dead

  • Early days at Magoo’s Pizza, influence of the folk/blues community, and connection to the Merry Pranksters.

2. Scene, Myths, and the King Neptune Legend

• Map of the World, Head Culture:
  • Pigpen depicted as King Neptune on Rick Shub’s iconic ’60s head-shop map because they lived together. [10:21]

3. Pigpen’s Stage Power and Musical Anchoring

• First Impressions

  • Phil Lesh describes hearing the band:

    “Pigpen ate my mind. He just ate my mind with the harp. Singing the blues, man.” – Phil Lesh [10:48]

• Personality and Contrast

  • Pigpen as grounding force—didn’t indulge in acid but was essential to the band’s vibe and provided a “reality check.”

    “He was our anchor ... You could rely on Pigpen for a reality check.” – Jerry Garcia, via Blair Jackson [22:09]

  • Pigpen as “warm fire, a cozy fire,” taking care of others during trips, including Hell’s Angels.

• Pigpen Among the Merry Pranksters/Acid Tests

  • Rich storytelling from Pigpen describing incidents with Neal Cassady, the Acid Tests, including technical mayhem and wild rides. [15:25–18:16]
  • Pigpen’s non-tripping role at the legendary Watts Acid Test: he preserves order, soothes “freak outs,” and becomes the unofficial “purveyor of good vibes.” [20:22–22:35]

4. Songwriting & Musical Contributions

• Songs and Stage Numbers

  • Range of signature performances—King Bee, Turn On Your Lovelight, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Caution, etc., highlighted with live audio snippets and recommended versions. [36:02–40:26]
    • “King Bee” (Fillmore East, 4/28/71)
    • “Turn On Your Lovelight” (Live/Dead, various, final version May 24, 1972)

• Limits and Inclusion

  • Musical arrangements structured to include Pigpen—his limitations pushed the band’s inclusivity.

    "Pigpen represented sort of like the low-water mark ... If we came up with anything that was too complicated for him, he couldn't play it. So everything was structured to be able, at least includable, in Pigpen’s, or else he wouldn’t play." – Jerry Garcia [25:05]

• Songwriting & Collaborations

  • "Operator" (on American Beauty), "Easy Wind," "Mr. Charlie," "Empty Pages," “Taste Bud,” and others.
  • Pigpen’s notebook and lost song drafts: 15–20 seemingly finished songs, many never performed or released. ("Back Home," "I Can Sell...," etc.) [68:04–68:53]

5. Personality, Relationships, and Reputation

• Gentleness Behind the Myth

  • Multiple friends describe Pigpen as shy, kind, and thoughtful—contradicting the biker-pirate/raunchy image.
  • Anecdotes: Tending to friends, matchmaking from the stage, washing his thick hair, covering a friend with a blanket. [30:55–31:34]

    “He walks over, covers her up with a blanket and then walks away. That was Pigpen. Such a sweet man.” – Sue Swanson [30:55]

• Veronica "V" Grant

  • Longtime romantic partner; moved in at 710 Ashbury. Their room was a hangout spot.
  • Supported her through a brain aneurysm recovery (1968).

• Feminist/Ethical Perspective

  • Kay Alexander’s research: Pigpen’s stage persona was mutual and celebratory, never coercive.

    “The women he sings about are strong, independent, passionate women... He is handing them a type of equity that was atypical for male points of view during the era.” – Kay Alexander [51:27]

6. Challenges and the Endgame

• Struggles with Alcohol

  • Health declines: hospitalized for a perforated ulcer and hepatitis in late 1971; possibly Crohn’s disease per family speculation. [63:40–64:36]

    "He drank himself to death ... not so much into escape, as just into drinking." – Bob Weir [64:36]

• Continuing to Contribute

  • Returns to perform (looking frail, sounding strong), keeps writing songs.
  • Records cassette demos, works on potential solo album—some tapes remain unreleased (“Pigpen’s Last Tape,” "So Long," "Maybe She’s a Bluebird").

• Europe ‘72 Tour

  • Performs despite illness; creative, energetic, and beloved by bandmates. [70:11–71:59]

    “He was really sick. But his vocals and his ad libs and his freestyling on that Europe tour were just spot on.” – Donna Jean Godchaux [70:37]

• Passing and Aftermath

  • Dies March 1973, age 27, from internal bleeding brought on by years of abuse and illness.
  • Band and community deeply affected; informal “wake/riot” hosted by Bob Weir.
  • Father’s poignant letter to the band; archivist work to preserve Pigpen’s legacy. [75:50–81:01]

7. Legacy

• Archival Material

  • Pigpen's father, Phil McKernan, meticulously catalogued tapes and setlists, envisioning an LP—much remains to be uncovered.
  • Part of his “lost album” circulates, but is only a “non-definitive assortment.”

    "Page after page of stuff. Obviously I only have a fraction. A lot of the stuff, I have no idea where it ended up." – Jim Sullivan [81:01]

• Lasting Impact

  • Band dynamic “forever changed.” The song “He’s Gone,” played as tribute; poems written in Pigpen’s memory.
  • Owsley Stanley’s emotional reaction to Pigpen's final tape:

    “He started crying like little tears rolling down his face... He loved Pigpen so, so deeply. It was just, just a horrible loss for him.” – Starfinder Stanley [83:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pigpen’s Role:

  “We’d be out of our minds just. And we’d be tethered to Pigpen. You could rely on Pigpen for a reality check.” – Jerry Garcia [22:09]

• Defying His Image:

  “He was very different than the image of the biker pirate. Very gentle, very intellectual, very thoughtful.” – Tom Constanten [47:05]

• On His Relationship With Veronica:

  “They’d be partners for the rest of Pigpen’s life. Their room became its own hangout, with Pigpen acting as genial Southern Comfort drinking host.” – Rich Mahan [31:51]

• Feminist Lens on Pigpen:

  “I talked with a few women who were young and saw Pigpen and asked them how they felt about him... they all felt that this was somebody they kind of wanted to be ravished by. It made them feel adventurous and empowered. It didn’t make them feel alienated or intimidated.” – Kay Alexander [51:27]

• Father’s Acknowledgment:

  “You gave him, or perhaps he found with you, something which many of us never—a purpose and meaning for life.” – Phil McKernan’s letter to the Dead [75:50]

• Owsley’s Grief:

  “He started crying... He loved Pigpen so, so deeply. It was just a horrible loss for him.” – Starfinder Stanley [83:21]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:59 – Pigpen’s early harmonica and vocal work
• 07:41 – Tales of Pigpen’s worldliness as a teenager
• 10:48 – Phil Lesh’s first encounter with Pigpen’s stage presence
• 14:49 – Legendary Acid Test banter clip with Ken Babs
• 15:25–18:16 – Pigpen retells road stories with the Merry Pranksters
• 22:09 – Jerry Garcia describes Pigpen as the Dead’s anchor
• 30:55 – Anecdotes highlighting Pigpen’s kindness
• 36:02–40:26 – Core Pigpen live classics highlighted
• 51:27 – Kay Alexander’s feminist analysis on Pigpen’s persona
• 68:04 – Unreleased Pigpen songs read from his notebook
• 70:11 – Introduction to "Chinatown Shuffle" at Paris show
• 73:13 – Final months, Pigpen’s declining health and continued creativity
• 75:50 – Phil McKernan’s letter and the impact of Pigpen’s death on the band
• 83:21 – Owsley’s reaction to Pigpen’s final tape

Concluding Thoughts

Pigpen’s life and contributions continue to ripple through the Dead’s music, lore, and fan culture. Both “committed” Deadheads and the “curious” will find resonance in his legacy—a genuine bluesman, soulful performer, and gentle, anchoring spirit whose artistry and presence profoundly shaped the Grateful Dead’s mythos, community, and sound.