Grateful Dead Keyboardist Dies

Former Grateful Dead keyboardist Merl Saunders has died.

Saunders passed away on Friday morning from compliations of a stroke he suffered six years ago which left him unable to use one of his hands or speak. He was 74 years old.

"Despite having lost one side of his body to the stroke and being unable to speak, Merl lit up rooms with his smile and spirit," Grateful Dead publicist Dennis McNally told RollingStone.com. "I'll remember that smile forever."

Saunders was a B3 jazz organist, and was taught to play the instrument by Jimmy Smith, who popularized the instrument. He began collaborating with the Grateful Dead in the 1970s and guested on their 1971 self-titled album. He later played keyboards with Phish, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic. Despite having a stroke, Saunders continued to appear on stage with the Dead (what the Grateful Dead became known as after Jerry Garcia's death in 1995).

A message on Saunders' official website says condolences can be sent to the following address:
The Saunders Family
PO Box 22184
San Francisco, CA 94123