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Phil Lesh 1940-2024

Phil Lesh
Phil Lesh

Phil Lesh, the iconic bassist of the Grateful Dead and a key figure in American rock, passed away peacefully at age 84 today (October 25 2024), surrounded by family. His death was confirmed in a statement on his Instagram page

Phil Lesh and Bruce Hornsby performed in various Grateful Dead projects, including the Other Ones, the Furthur Festivals and the final Fare Thee Well shows. Phil would sit in on some of Bruce’s famous Yoshi’s shows in 1998.

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Early life and musical beginnings

Born on 15 March 1940 in Berkeley, California, Phil Lesh was classically trained in music from a young age, initially studying trumpet. Under the mentorship of avant-garde composer Luciano Berio and minimalist composer Steve Reich, he honed his skills in structured, experimental sound. His life changed course in 1965 when he joined his friend Jerry Garcia’s band, the Warlocks, which soon evolved into the Grateful Dead. Despite having never played bass, Phil brought a unique voice to the instrument that would come to define the band’s distinct improvisational sound.

Phil’s contributions to the Grateful Dead were foundational, shaping the band’s reputation as pioneers of psychedelic rock and the American counterculture. He played on all 13 of the Grateful Dead’s studio albums and 10 official live albums from 1967 to 1990.

Post-Grateful Dead Projects and Phil Lesh & Friends

Following the Grateful Dead’s disbandment in 1995, Phil carried on the band’s legacy through his work with the Other Ones (1998-1999), the Dead (2003-2004, 2008-2009), and Furthur (2009-2013), alongside new collaborators and old friends. He also founded Phil Lesh & Friends, a project that played Grateful Dead favourites as well as material from various other artists, paying tribute to the timeless appeal of the Dead’s catalogue.

Throughout his later years, Phil faced several health challenges, including a liver transplant in 1998 due to hepatitis C and treatment for prostate cancer in 2006. He became a passionate advocate for organ donation, urging followers to become donors. In 2015, Lesh announced he was undergoing treatment for bladder cancer.

Legacy and tributes

Phil Lesh’s passing marks the end of an era for Grateful Dead fans and the broader musical world. His family said he passed peacefully and was full of love, leaving behind a legacy that lives on through his music and the indelible impact he made on the Grateful Dead family. Phil is survived by his wife, Jill, and their two sons, Grahame and Brian, who carry forward their father’s love for music through the Terrapin Family Band.