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Rock keyboardist Vince Welnick dead at 55

SAN FRANCISCO, June 4 (UPI) -- Vince Welnick, a keyboardist for the Tubes, Todd Rundgren and the Grateful Dead, has died in Sonoma County, Calif., at 55.

Welnick died Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Department said the cause of death appears to be suicide.

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"He was a good soul, a very sweet guy," said band spokesman Dennis McNally. "He was also an exceptionally competent keyboardist."

The Grateful Dead recalled Welnick in a statement posted on its Web site.

"His service to and love for the Grateful Dead were heartfelt and essential," said the statement. "He had a loving soul and a joy in music that we were lucky to share. Our Grateful Dead prayer for the repose of his spirit: May the four winds blow him safely home."

A classically trained pianist, Welnick was born in Phoenix, Ariz., where he formed the Tubes with some friends. The band recorded 12 albums and had two hit songs -- "White Punks on Dope" in 1975 and "Talk to Ya Later" in 1981.

Welnick joined the Grateful Dead in 1990, playing with the band for five years before the death of lead singer Jerry Garcia.

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Welnick is survived by his wife, Lori Welnick.

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