Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Dies at 84
Bassist Phil Lesh, best known for being a founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died. He was 84 years old. The news was confirmed on his official Instagram page: “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.”
Born in 1940, Lesh began his musical career as a classically trained trumpeter. He was then recruited to play bass (despite never studying it) in 1965 for a group called the Warlocks, fronted by his friend Jerry Garcia. Lesh went on to cofound the Grateful Dead and played with offshoot bands the Other Ones and the Dead and Furthur, as well as his own bands, Phil Lesh and Friends and the Terrapin Family Band. He also co-headlined several tours with Bob Dylan. Lesh was not a part of Dead & Company, as he was replaced by Allman Brother Band bassist Otell Burbridge.
Archive Photos/Getty Images
Lesh was also a songwriter and co-authored several of the Dead’s best-known Dead compositions including “St. Stephen,” “The Eleven” and “Dark Star.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead in 1994. He began operating a music hall and restaurant called Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, California, in 2012, which allowed up-and-coming musicians to play.
Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Despite several health issues in the last few decades including a liver transplant, prostate cancer surgery, back surgery and bladder cancer surgery, he continued to play music and remained quite active in his later years. He is survived by his wife Jill and their sons Grahame and Brian, who also played in the Terrapin Family Band.
Birth of Rock 'n' Roll
February 2024
"Long live rock," we like to say, but how did it come to life? Revisit the memorable moments, music and movies that made teens go beat crazy back in the 1950s.
Buy This Issue