Phil Lesh Has Bladder Cancer Under Control

This weekend Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann take the stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City as part of Dead & Company, while Phil Lesh holds court about 45 minutes north with Phil Lesh & Friends at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. The New York Times reported on the fractured Grateful Dead arrangement currently underway including a rare interview with Lesh.

Phil Lesh recently underwent treatment for bladder cancer and thankfully the news continues to be good about his recovery. Lesh told the Times he has the situation “under control” and that his doctors “are very confident that it’s not going to be an issue going forward.” So far, the bassist’s health battles have only led to a handful of cancellations and he is expected to perform all upcoming shows at The Cap.

Lesh was asked by the Times about why he didn’t join Hart, Kreutzmann and Weir in forming Dead & Company:

“When I agreed to do Dead 50, my stipulation was, ‘That’s it,’ ” he said this week by phone from his home in Marin. Touring with the rest of the group “was a nonstarter from the beginning,” he added. “It was just understood. They were all ready before we even started rehearsals, talking about going out themselves. I’m just not into touring, and those guys are.”

The bassist’s comments come within the same article that Fare Thee Well co-promoter Peter Shapiro, who owns The Cap, re-iterated the five summer shows were it for the Core Four together. “It was the end of them as a unit, you won’t see that again,” Shapiro said in between “Dead 50 wasn’t the end” and “but the music goes on.” Peter also noted, Fare Thee Well “re-lit a flame under the whole tribe” in regards to the Grateful Dead community.

While Bob Weir was open to Lesh appearing with Dead &Company, from Lesh’s comments to the Times a sit-in doesn’t seem likely in the coming weeks.

Asked if he might run into his band mates during their overlapping New York stops, Mr. Lesh said: “Absolutely not. I am so busy.”

Phil did say he has been in touch with Weir and recently called him on his birthday. Head to the New York Times for more from Lesh about Fare Thee Well and more. Dead & Company have started tour in Albany tonight. Check back on Friday for a full report.