Donna Jean Godchaux McKay grew up in Sheffield and began her career as a session musician, contributing background vocals to such hits as Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" and Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." After moving to San Francisco in 1970, she married keyboardist Keith Godchaux. Together they joined the Grateful Dead and toured with the group from 1972 to 1979. McKay was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Dead in 1994.