One of the greatest American rock bands lost a member of its family over the weekend.
Grateful Dead legend Phil Lesh died Friday at the age of 84. His death was announced on his official Instagram page, and on the Grateful Dead X page.
“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning,” the statement reads. “He was surrounded by his family and full of love.”
Today we lost a brother. Our hearts and love go out to Jill Lesh, Brian and Grahame. Phil Lesh was irreplaceable. In one note from the Phil Zone, you could hear and feel the world being born. His bass flowed like a river would flow. It went where the muse took it. He was an… pic.twitter.com/3u5lOomXxi
— Grateful Dead (@GratefulDead) October 26, 2024
Long before he became a bassist, Lesh began his musical journey as a classically trained trumpeter.
According to Variety, Lesh studied with avant-garde composer Luciano Berio and played with minimalist pioneer Steve Reich when he was recruited to play bass.
His skills on bass were an integral part of The Grateful Dead’s early albums for Warner Bros. Records.
Lesh was credited for co-writing “St. Stephen,” “The Eleven” and the epic hit “Dark Star,” which became a signature fixture in the band’s concert repertoire and a major hit with fans.
Lesh was honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead in 1994.
He remained highly active on the music scene despite an ongoing series of health challenges.
Lesh overcame a liver transplant in 1998, he beat prostate cancer and underwent bladder cancer surgery in 2015, as well as back surgery in 2019, according to Variety.
He kept the music alive, in spite of it all.
The Grateful Dead were named “Persons of the Year” by MusiCares just two days before his death. Details surrounding his cause of death have not been released at time of publication.
Lesh is survived by his wife Jill and their sons, Grahame and Brian.