The two reprised this duet Jat the Euphoria Ballroom in San Rafael, California. Joplin joined McKernan onstage at the Fillmore West in June 1969 with the Grateful Dead to sing his signature "Turn On Your Lovelight," despite her dislike of the band's jamming style. McKernan had a short relationship and longer friendship with Janis Joplin - a poster from the early 1970s featured them together. Around this time Phil Lesh joined, and they became the Grateful Dead. Around 1965, McKernan urged the rest of the Warlocks to switch to electric instruments. Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann were added and the band evolved into The Warlocks. McKernan was a participant in the predecessor groups leading to the formation of the Grateful Dead, beginning with the Zodiacs and Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions. However, in an essay included with the Grateful Dead box-set The Golden Road (1965-1973) it is claimed that a girlfriend of McKernan's gave him the nickname, owing to his similarity to the permanently dirty character in the comic-strip Peanuts. A high-school friend named Roger gave him his nickname based on his "funky" approach to life. Garcia was impressed and McKernan became the blues singer in local jam sessions. One night Garcia invited McKernan onstage to play harmonica and sing the blues. McKernan began spending time around coffeehouses and music stores, where he met Jerry Garcia. He also began using alcohol in his adolescence. In his early teens, McKernan left Palo Alto High School by mutual agreement with the school's principal. As a youth, McKernan taught himself blues piano and developed a biker image. He grew up with many African-American friends and felt very strongly connected to black music and culture. McKernan was born in San Bruno, California, the son of an R&B and blues disc jockey. In 1994, Pigpen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the other members of the Grateful Dead. His contributions to the band included vocals, Hammond organ, harmonica, percussion, and occasionally guitar. "Pigpen" McKernan (Septem– March 8, 1973) was a founding member of the Grateful Dead.
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