Condolences: Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh
• Phil Lesh, whose expansive approach to the bass as a founding member of the Grateful Dead made him one of the first performers on that instrument in a rock band to regularly play a lead role rather than a supporting one, died Friday, Oct. 25 at the age of 84.
Lesh’s passing was formally announced on his Instagram account, stating: “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.”
As The New York Times recounts, “In addition to providing explorative bass work, Mr. Lesh sang high harmonies for the band and provided the occasional lead vocal. He also co-wrote some of the band’s most noteworthy songs, including ones that inspired adventurous jams, like ‘St. Stephen’ and ‘Dark Star,’ as well as more conventional pieces, like ‘Cumberland Blues,’ ‘Truckin’ and ‘Box of Rain.'”
Lesh played with the Dead for the band’s entire 30-year history, which formally ended in 1995 after the death of Jerry Garcia. In 1994, he and the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. After the Dead disbanded, Lesh played in the offshoot bands The Other Ones, The Dead and Further, as well as with his own Phil Lesh and Friends. He retired from regular road work in 2014. [Photo Credit: Jay Blakesberg]
• Ironically, MusiCares® had this week named The Grateful Dead as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year. In celebration of the Dead’s 60th anniversary, Lesh, and now original surviving members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and Bobby Weir will be recognized for their immense contributions to music, their tireless philanthropic efforts and their pioneering role in fostering communities through their concerts and activism.
The special night will include posthumous tributes to co-founder Jerry Garcia. The 34th annual Persons of the Year benefit gala will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, two nights before the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards® at Crypto .com Arena.
