Merl Saunders, a keyboardist who collaborated with Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia in the 1970s and went on to earn the title of "the godfather of jam bands," died Friday morning at Kaiser hospital in San Francisco of complications from a stroke. He was 74.
Mr. Saunders, who was born in San Mateo and grew up in San Francisco, is best remembered for his partnership with Garcia, playing legendary club dates as "Legion of Mary" and then as "Garcia/Saunders," and recording the albums "Heavy Turbulence," "Fire Up" and "Live at the Keystone."
He was a guest player on the 1971 album "Grateful Dead," and served as musical director with the band on the "Twilight Zone" television show in the mid-1980s.
Mr. Saunders apprenticed with the famed organist Jimmy Smith and is credited with teaching the great American songbook to the rock- and folk-oriented Garcia.
"Blues from the Rainforest," their 1990 collaboration, hit the Billboard Top 10 in the New Age category.
In recent years, Mr. Saunders was revered as the senior member of the jamband world, playing with Phish, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic.
After suffering a stroke six years ago, he lost the use of one of his hands and his ability to speak, but remained a vibrant presence on the Bay Area music scene.
"Boy, did he get the most out of what he had left," said Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.
He is survived by two sons, Anthony Saunders and Merl Saunders Jr., and a daughter, Susan Saunders.
Memorial services have not been announced.
Mr. Saunders, who was born in San Mateo and grew up in San Francisco, is best remembered for his partnership with Garcia, playing legendary club dates as "Legion of Mary" and then as "Garcia/Saunders," and recording the albums "Heavy Turbulence," "Fire Up" and "Live at the Keystone."
He was a guest player on the 1971 album "Grateful Dead," and served as musical director with the band on the "Twilight Zone" television show in the mid-1980s.
Mr. Saunders apprenticed with the famed organist Jimmy Smith and is credited with teaching the great American songbook to the rock- and folk-oriented Garcia.
"Blues from the Rainforest," their 1990 collaboration, hit the Billboard Top 10 in the New Age category.
In recent years, Mr. Saunders was revered as the senior member of the jamband world, playing with Phish, Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic.
After suffering a stroke six years ago, he lost the use of one of his hands and his ability to speak, but remained a vibrant presence on the Bay Area music scene.
"Boy, did he get the most out of what he had left," said Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart.
He is survived by two sons, Anthony Saunders and Merl Saunders Jr., and a daughter, Susan Saunders.
Memorial services have not been announced.
