[Archive 2006-06-06] Tubes, Grateful Dead musician Vince Welnick died of 'probable suicide'

Historical archive — originally published 2006-06-06. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

Former Tubes and Grateful Dead keyboardist/vocalist Vince Welnick is dead of a "probable suicide", according to the Sonoma County Sheriff/Coroner.

Welnick was found dead in his home in Forestville, California, on June 2, 2006. His cause of death is not being released at the family's request, says Coroner's Sgt. Will Wallman.

The 55-year-old musician began his professional career in his native Phoenix, Arizona, putting together a garage band called The Beans. The group moved to San Francisco in 1969 and changed its name to The Tubes, eventually releasing eight albums. Welnick was picked in 1990 to succeed the late Brent Mydland as The Grateful Dead keyboardist, and eventually moved on to solo projects. He was later elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Source and licence

Text adapted from Tubes, Grateful Dead musician Vince Welnick died of 'probable suicide' by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.