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RatDog (sometimes known as Bob Weir & RatDog or Ratdog), is an American rock band. The group began as a side project for Grateful Dead rhythm guitarist Bob Weir and bassist Rob Wasserman. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in December 1995, following the death of Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995, RatDog became Bob Weir's primary band. They perform Grateful Dead tunes primarily with a mixture of covers (including Bob Dylan and Chuck Berry), along with some originals. RatDog's repertoire consists of over 150 songs.
Formation and early daysDuring the late 1980s, Bob Weir teamed up with bassist Rob Wasserman and the duo toured for seven years under names such as Weir/Wasserman and Scaring the Children. In 1994, Weir and Wasserman participated in the Woodstock '94 festival. Jay Lane was added on drums and Matthew Kelly on guitar and harmonica in 1995. They played their first show as a full band on April 22, 1995, billed as Friends of Montezuma and then as RatDog Revue. They played their first show as RatDog on August 8, 1995.
MembershipThe original line-up consisted of Bob Weir on rhythm guitar, Rob Wasserman on string bass, Matthew Kelly on lead guitar and Jay Lane on drums. Grateful Dead keyboardist Vince Welnick joined the band in September 1995 and played in several shows but left a couple months later. Dave Ellis became the band's first saxophonist in 1996 and remained until 1999 to be replaced by Kenny Brooks. Between 1996 and 1997 Johnnie Johnson and Mookie Siegel had stints as keyboardists
. Jeff Chimenti became the keyboardist in May 1997 and is still in the band today. Matthew Kelly was replaced in 1998 briefly by Dave McNabb and then by current lead guitarist Mark Karan. Rob Wasserman left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Robin Sylvester.
The current lineup consists of Bob Weir, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti, Mark Karan, Kenny Brooks and Robin Sylvester.
Mark Karan's Health Situation and 2007 Summer AbsenceIn mid-June 2007, RatDog's lead guitarist announced he was taking some time off for a healing period. Karan was later diagnosed with throat cancer. Because he was undergoing treatment, Karan was absent from the remainder of RatDog's 2007 shows. Steve Kimock, the guitarist from the band Zero, who also has had a history of playing with Dead spin-off bands The Other Ones (1998 and 2000), Phil Lesh and Friends (1999), and the Rhythm Devils (2006), stood in for Karan.
Karan returned to the RatDog lineup at the start of the 2008 spring tour.
Notable guestsSince its formation, many guest musicians have performed with RatDog, including Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux and Bruce Hornsby. Other well known guests include Joan Baez, Warren Haynes, Ekoostik Hookah,Trey Anastasio, Les Claypool, John Popper, Dickey Betts, Sammy Hagar, and Keller Williams..
Discography- Evening Moods (2000)
- Live at Roseland (2001)
Lineups
Copyright Citations
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