Take Me To The Cheerleader Of The Band
by thoughtsonthedead
Following the long-overdue, much-needed, and instantly-canonical Lost Live Dead article on Mrs. Donna Jean, some alchemical archivist rummaged through old Alabama yearbooks until some gems popped up: here is Young Donna Jean (née Thatcher) before…well, let’s just leave it at “before.”
If you’ve read the article, then you’ll know that Mrs. Donna Jean was already singing professionally when this picture was taken, most likely; she looks about 17. If you haven’t read the article–written by Comment Section stalwart Corry342–then you must, immediately, and if you choose to stay over there scrolling through page after page of arcane delight, then I fully understand.
On the other hand, if you haven’t read the article and don’t plan to, then you can’t come here anymore, either.
Fun fact: that’s not an “S” on the cheer sweaters, it’s the Alabamian symbol for “hope.”
Thoughts on the Dead 
Researchers have not yet determined the most important question, namely whether Ms Donna Jean favored Alabama or Auburn (if you don’t think this is important, you are sadly misinformed about football in Alabama). Staff is working on it even as we speak.
This seems like the kind of thing someone could actually ask the elder stateswoman
Another great post Corry, Thanks.
There is an interesting interview by grateful web from Jan 2014 with Donna Jean, she states how she had to tell Jerry wexler she was leaving her singing career in Alabama to move to sf. And let’s not forget the craziest thing, donnas first grateful dead show she saw in October 70 had no keyboards played! Pig pens organ having been repossessed that night he had to make do with congas.
A 10′ Walton salute. Hubba hubba
you amaze