Phil Lesh’s All-Star Friends Honor Grateful Dead Bassist At Music Heals International Benefit

Participants included David Nelson, Joan Osborne, Barry Sless, Jay Lane, Lebo, Holly Bowling, Elliott Peck, Mookie Siegel, Pete Sears and Paul Beaubrun.

By Scott Bernstein Dec 11, 2024 8:32 am PST

Sweetwater Music Hall hosted the 2024 Music Heals International benefit concert on Monday (December 9) in Mill Valley, California. The final set of the night was a tribute to Phil Lesh featuring a slew of Phil Lesh & Friends alumni and other musicians from the late Grateful Dead bassist’s musical orbit.

Music Heals International helps school and community partners across the globe deliver quality music education that fosters achievement, resilience and creativity. This year’s benefit was dubbed Women Rock, Music Heals! with the tribute added to the concert following the death of Phil Lesh.

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The night began with Haitian musician Paul Beaubrun performing two Creole songs solo. Beaubrun then joined a band consisting of guitarist Lebo (Dan Lebowitz), keyboardist Holly Bowling, bassist Angeline Saris, drummer Daria ‘Shani’ Johnson for “Voodoo Child” and “Get Up Stand Up.”

Next, organist Melvin Seals and drummer Jay Lane emerged for “Tore Up Over You” before Lebo led the ensemble and guitarist Bella Rayne on his song “Try.” Pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless joined the assembled musicians for a “Twilight” sung by Elliott Peck before Seals helmed “That’s What Love Will Make You Do” to end the first set.

After an introduction from MHI’s Sara Wasserman, Joan Osborne played a set next backed by Lebo, Saris, Bowling and Johnson. The seven-song performance included Osborne originals “I Should Have Danced More,” “One Of Us,” “Lifeline” and more along with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Tangled Up In Blue.”

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The Phil Lesh tribute followed featuring a core band of guitarist/vocalist David Nelson, pedal steel guitarist/guitarist Barry Sless, drummer Jay Lane, keyboardist Mookie Siegel and bassist Pete Sears. “Box Of Rain,” Lesh’s signature song, opened the set. Elliott Peck then came out for the Grateful Dead classic “Friend Of The Devil” ahead of a “Pride Of Cucamonga” sung by Siegel and featuring Lebo.

David Nelson handled lead vocals on the subsequent version of the GD favorite “Ripple.” Then, Joan Osborne returned and discussed the importance of organ donation and collaborating with Phil Lesh as a member of “The Dead” in 2003. Osborne went on to sing the Hunter/Garcia ballad “Stella Blue” with Holly Bowling joining Siegel on keys. From there, Lebo belted out “Truckin'” and Peck led the ensemble through “It Must Have Been The Roses.” The set concluded with “Not Fade Away.” For the encore, the band played a “Brokedown Palace” featuring Elliott Peck on lead vocals.

Watch footage of the Phil Lesh Tribute at the MHI benefit captured by Ted Silverman below:

Phil Lesh Tribute Pt. 1

Phil Lesh Tribute Pt. 2

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Setlist

Set: Box Of Rain, Friend Of The Devil, Pride Of Cucamonga, Ripple, Stella Blue, Truckin’, It Must Have Been The Roses, Not Fade Away

Encore: Brokedown Palace

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