Legendary Grateful Dead Band Member Passed Away At 84
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“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. 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.”
He was the eldest and one of the longest-surviving members of the band that defined San Francisco’s 1960s counterculture sound.
The bassist’s specific cause of death was not provided. Previously, Lesh had overcome prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and a 1998 liver transplant, which became necessary due to the severe impact of hepatitis C and years of heavy drinking per ABC News.
Born on March 15, 1940, in Berkeley, California, Lesh initially pursued classical violin and later shifted to jazz trumpet before transitioning to bass guitar at the urging of Jerry Garcia. Lesh’s innovative bass playing, which intertwined melodic lines with rhythm, became essential to the band’s improvisational sound.
The Grateful Dead rose to prominence during the 1967 “Summer of Love,” drawing a devoted following of “Deadheads.” Even after Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995, Lesh remained active in music, performing with his group, Phil Lesh and Friends, until 2023.
Lesh also wrote music for, and every once in a while sang, some of the band’s favorite tunes. He liked to perform “Pride of Cucamonga,” the jazzy “Unbroken Chain” and “Box of Rain.”
Recently, MusiCares named the Grateful Dead it’s 2024 “Persons of the Year.” The organization, which provides financial and support services to music professionals in need, highlighted Lesh’s philanthropic work through his Unbroken Chain Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Jill Lesh, and their two sons, Grahame and Brian.
Rest In Peace.