Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Has Died
The legendary musician was 84 years old.
By Andy Kahn Oct 25, 2024 • 12:38 pm PDT
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has died at age 84. Lesh’s death was confirmed by a message shared on his official social media accounts.
The statement follows:
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.
Phillip Chapman Lesh was born in Berkeley, California on March 15, 1940. Lesh initially took up violin and switched to trumpet as a teen. Lesh fostered an interest in classical and avant-garde music, studying at the College of San Mateo, UC Berkeley and Mills College.
During this period he met future Grateful Dead member Tom Constanten. Lesh and Constanten both studied under experimental composer Luciano Berio and were influenced John Cage and La Monte Young. Lesh was classmates with Steve Reich and other accomplished composers.
In the mid-1960s he encountered Jerry Garcia who encouraged Lesh to take up the bass and join The Warlocks. Lesh, Garcia, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan formed the initial lineup of The Warlocks and soon changed their name to the Grateful Dead.
Lesh was the Grateful Dead’s only bassist through the group’s 30-year career that ended with a final concert at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 9, 1995. Garcia’s death on August 9, 1995 brought an end to Grateful Dead. Lesh’s notable songwriting contributions included “Box Of Rain” and “Unbroken Chain.”
Subsequent years saw Lesh focus on several post-Grateful Dead projects, most notably his Phil Lesh & Friends project featuring an ever-expanding cast of players. Lesh also joined his former Grateful Dead bandmates in various configurations after 1995, performing in groups like The Other Ones, Furthur and The Dead.
In 1998, Lesh faced a serious health crisis when he required a liver transplant due to hepatitis C. Following his successful recovery, he became an outspoken advocate for organ donation awareness, often delivering a “Donor Rap” about it at concerts.
Lesh shared the stage with Weir, Kreutzmann and Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart for final time in 2015 at the five “Fare The Well” concerts in the Bay Area and Chicago with Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio.
In 2006, he published his autobiography, Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead, which offered insights into both the band’s history and his personal journey. With his wife Jill Lesh, he opened Terrapin Crossroads in 2012, a restaurant and music venue in San Rafael, California, which closed in 2021.
Lesh was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead in 1994.