Merl Saunders dies at age 74 (Outside Reading Blog #5)

This article was called "Former Greatful Dead keyboardist Saunders dies at age 74". The article was written by Belinda Goldsmith. This article talks about Merl Saunders and his success in the jazz and rock musical world, but it also talked about his smile, and his caring and loving nature. Merl Saunders died from complications of a stroke he had six years ago. Merl Saunders was a keyboardist for the Greatful Dead, and his favorite instrument was the Hammond B3 organ. During his long lifetime, Merl Saunders had some great opportunities like recording with some top musicians like Miles Davis and B.B. King. Merl's family said that in his heart stood two things; love and music. They said he was a companion of many, but also a loved father and grandfather. Another achievement of his was that, in 2000, Saunders was the first recipient of the lifetime activist award from a Florida environmentalist group for his environmental activism. There will be a memorial service for Merl Saunders on October 29th, in San Fransisco.