Happy Birthday Bruce Hornsby: Bruce Does The Dead

Today is keyboardist Bruce Hornsby’s 62nd birthday. The veteran musician has achieved commercial and critical success during his eclectic career, beginning with pop hits with The Range in the 1980s and continuing through his recently released studio LP with The Noisemakers, Rehab Reunion. For the profusely talented keyboardist, accordionist and vocalist birthday today, here’s a look at another aspect of Hornsby’s career: his long-running association with the Grateful Dead.

Following the unexpected death of Brent Mydland in mid-1990, Bruce was brought in to play keys as a member of the Grateful Dead from September 15, 1990 through March 24, 1992. Bruce sat-in with the Jerry Garcia Band for a lone collaborative performance in November 1991. Hornsby was also part of 2015’s Fare Thee Well 50th anniversary concerts alongside the surviving core four members of the Dead – Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann.

A few years back fan site Bruuuce.com put together a 20-track collection of downloads dubbed Bruce Does The Dead. The set includes “almost three hours of music from the Grateful Dead, covered by Bruce Hornsby and featuring guests including Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, R.S. Hornsby and Branford Marsalis” as well as Steve Kimock and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Head here to download Bruce Does The Dead.

Bruce Does The Dead Tracklist

1. Iko Iko – Hampton Beach, NH – August 22, 1995
2. Scarlet Begonias – Toledo, OH – July 23, 1994
3. Truckin’ w/ Phil Lesh – San Francisco, CA – April 12, 1996
4. Not Fade Away w/ Phil Lesh – San Francisco, CA – April 12, 1996
5. Sugaree w/ Phil Lesh – Columbus, OH – April 23, 1996
6. Terrapin Station > I Know You Rider – North Tonawanda, NY – August 29, 1995
7. Evangeline w/ Steve Kimock – Saratoga, CA – August 24, 2001
8. Rainbow’s Cadillac > Franklin’s Tower – Morristown, NJ – April 12, 1999
9. Ripple – York, PA – November 12, 2000
10. Mandolin Rain > Brokedown Palace – Williamsport, PA – June 5 1996
11. Tennessee Jed – w/ Phil Lesh & Steve Kimock – Oakland, CA – November 6, 1998
12. Row Jimmy – Wallingford, CT – August 27, 2005
13. Samson & Delilah – w/ Bob Weir – Hartford, CT – July 7, 1996
14. Black Muddy River – Cupertino, CA – April 25, 1998
15. Dark Star – w/ Bob Weir & Branford Marsalis – Bridgeport, CA – July 20, 2012
16. Loser – w/ Phil Lesh & Steve Kimock – Oakland, CA – November 6, 1998
17. He’s Gone > Wharf Rat – Wilkes Barre, PA – September 31, 1995
18. Standing On The Moon – [location unknown – Williamsburg?] – 2009
19. Jack Straw – w/ Giovanni Hidalgo & Bob Weir – Englewood, CO – July 29, 1996
20. Across the River > Morning Dew w/ R.S.Hornsby – Asheville, NC – August 11, 2006

[Originally Published: November 23, 2016]