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‘Visionary bassist’ and founding member of the Grateful Dead Phil Lesh dies at 84

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‘Visionary bassist’ and founding member of the Grateful Dead Phil Lesh dies at 84

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

Born on March 15, 1940, Lesh began his long musical journey as a classically trained violinist at a young age. He started playing the trumpet at the age of 14 and eventually won the second chair in the Oakland Symphony Orchestra of California while still in his teens.

His life took a pivotal turn after he met Jerry Garcia in the early 1960s, which led 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; Rain Box And Unbreakable Chain. Following the group’s disbandment in 1995, Lesh continued to perform with The Other Ones and The Dead, as well as with his own band, Phil Lesh and Friends.

Lesh’s later years were plagued by health problems, including a liver transplant in 1998 and surgeries for prostate and bladder cancer, but 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 award in 1994, and Rolling Stone ranked him the 11th best bassist.

When news of Lesh’s passing broke, fans and fellow musicians gathered to remember and reflect on his musical legacy.

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