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‘Visionary bassist’ and founding member of Grateful Dead Phil Lesh dies, age 84

Matthew Hart
Oct 27, 2024
As news of Lesh's passing broke, fans and fellow musicians came together to pay tribute and reflect on his musical legacy. Source: Astrida Valigorsky/ Getty Images.

American musician and a founding member of the Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh has sadly passed away at the age of 84.

Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest-surviving members of the band that helped shape the acid rock sound that emerged from San Francisco in the 1960s.

Lesh’s death was announced on Friday, October 25 on his Instagram account.

“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning,” the statement read.

“He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time.”

 

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A post shared by Phil Lesh (@phillesh)

Born March 15, 1940, Lesh began his long musical journey as a classically trained violinist, starting with lessons at a young age. He took up the trumpet at 14, eventually earning the second chair in California’s Oakland Symphony Orchestra while still in his teens.

His life took a pivotal turn after meeting Jerry Garcia in the early 1960s, leading him to join Garcia’s rock band, which soon became the Grateful Dead. Known for his unorthodox approach to bass, influenced by counterpoint and jazz rather than traditional rhythm roles, Lesh’s melodic style contributed to the band’s signature sound.

Throughout the Grateful Dead’s career, Lesh occasionally contributed vocals and songwriting, with notable songs such as Box of Rain and Unbroken Chain. After the band broke up in 1995, Lesh continued performing with The Other Ones and The Dead, as well as with his own group, Phil Lesh and Friends.

Lesh’s later years were marked by health challenges, including a liver transplant in 1998 and surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer, yet he remained active, performing with his sons at his venue, Terrapin Crossroads, until its closure in 2021.

Lesh’s contributions to music earned him a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1994, and Rolling Stone ranked him as the 11th greatest bass player.

As news of Lesh’s passing broke, fans and fellow musicians came together to pay tribute and reflect on his musical legacy.

Lesh is survived by his wife, Jill, and sons Brian and Grahame.

-with AP.

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