Phil Lesh Celebrates 75th Birthday At Capitol Theatre

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh rounded up his longest-lasting solo, post-Jerry band with one notable exception on the occasion of his 75th birthday Sunday night at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Lesh was joined by guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Rob Barraco and drummer John Molo of the “Phil Lesh Quintet” along with guitarist Eric Krasno since The “Q’s” Jimmy Herring is currently on tour with Widespread Panic.

[Photo by @NugsNet]

Phil led the band and audience through “Ripple” to start off the show. Lesh didn’t play bass throughout the tune and instead held his infant grandson Levon Lesh in his arms. From there, in typical “Q” fashion, Phil & Friends dove into an opening jam. Eventually, The Allman Brothers Band classic “End Of The Line” emerged out of the improvisation and was sung by Warren Haynes. Warren also handled vocals on a cover of Cream’s “Sunshine Of Your Love” and the Dead gem “Sugaree” later in the set, while Barraco led the group on “Althea” and “Bertha” and Lesh fronted the band on “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.”

The second set started with jam that wound its way into a version of “Playing In The Band” sung by Barraco. Blues-rock jams connected each song in a seamless second set that included a cover of Traffic’s “Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys,” a take on “The Wheel” featuring vocals from all of the group’s singers and takes on “Broken Arrow,” Terrapin Station,” “Midnight Rider” and “Morning Dew.” Lesh and his five-piece ended the night with an encore of “Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad” that led into the coda of “And We Bid You Goodnight.” Before that, a cake was brought out for the bassist and the crowd sang a round of “Happy Birthday” for Phil. Lesh & Friends’ run at the The Cap continues with the same band tonight. A webcast is available via Nugs.tv.

Watch Phil & Friends’ “End Of The Line” as shot by Scott Gibson:

Setlist (via Floops)

Set One: Ripple (PL), Jam > End of the Line (WH), Althea (RB), Sunshine of Your Love (WH) > Bertha (RB), Mississippi Half Step (PL), Short Slide Jam > Sugaree (WH)

Set Two: Jam > Playing in the Band (RB) > Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (WH) > The Wheel (All) > Broken Arrow (PL, All) > Terrapin Station (PL) > Midnight Rider (WH), Morning Dew

Encore: Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > And We Bid You Goodnight