Grahame Lesh Wraps ‘Unbroken Chain’ Celebration With Phil Lesh’s Quintet At The Cap

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh performed with dozens of Phil Lesh & Friends lineups between 1994 and his death in 2024, but it’s hard to argue the iteration known as the Phil Lesh Quintet had the best chemistry. Fittingly, Grahame Lesh reunited the surviving members of “The Q” last night to close out the four-show “Unbroken Chain” run of tributes to his father at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York.

The Phil Lesh Quintet consisted of Phil on bass joined by guitarists Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring, keyboardist Rob Barraco and drummer John Molo. Grahame stepped in with an outfit he’s described as “probably my favorite band ever” on guitar for the first set and bass for the second set. Phil’s longtime roadie, Brian Rashap, handled bass duties during the first set. Both Grahame and Brian played Phil’s “Big Brown” Alembic bass throughout the night, which the Grateful Dead bassist used for periods from 1971 to 1974.

Last night’s setlist was vintage “The Q” and for the most part straight out of the project’s 2002 heyday. The show began with an exploration that birthed “Dark Star,” which gave way to “Viola Lee Blues” and culminated in a Barraco-sung “Doin’ That Rag.” Grahame & Friends then roared through PLQ staple “Passenger” before Haynes led a “Bird Song” that rolled into “The Wheel.” Next, the ensemble returned to “Viola Lee Blues” for its second verse and more jamming.

The evening’s biggest surprise, “Rock-n-Roll Blues,” followed. Penned by Phil Lesh and GD lyricist Robert Hunter, the song was recorded by “The Q” for the band’s lone studio album, 2002’s There And Back Again. Grahame Lesh sang lead vocals on “Rock-n-Roll Blues,” which Phil had only performed a handful of times. Barraco stepped back into the vocal spotlight for the “Liberty” set closer.

“Mason’s Children,” a tune rarely played by the Grateful Dead but often by the Phil Lesh Quintet, opened the second set. Jimmy Herring, who was performing his first non-Widespread Panic show since he was diagnosed with cancer last summer, shined all night but especially during the second set. Warren Haynes was also in fine form as he shredded on what was either Jerry Garcia’s Wolf guitar or an incredible replica. “Mason’s Children” bled into a “St. Stephen” featuring a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” within.

The ensuing “The Eleven” led into the second verse of “Dark Star,” which was trailed by a Barraco-fronted “New Speedway Boogie.” Next, “The Grahame Q” patiently and expertly delivered a 20-minute “Terrapin Station” with Haynes on vocals. From there, Warren, Rob and Grahame sang There And Back Again cut “No More Do I” ahead of the third and final verse of “Viola Lee Blues.”

“Unbroken Chain,” the beloved Phil tune that gave the run its name, was finally trotted out to end the second set. Grahame did an admirable job replicating his dad’s vocals despite his voice starting to give out after four emotional shows. He then honored his father’s legacy upon returning for the encore by asking fans to consider becoming organ donors before Warren Haynes led the band through “Patchwork Quilt,” a song he wrote in the wake of Jerry Garcia’s death. Grahame went on to sing “Box Of Rain” to close out the run the same way it started.

Listen to an audience recording of the “Unbroken Chain” finale taped by Z-Man below:

Fan-Shot Videos

Setlist (via Deadheadland IG)

Set One (Brian Rashap on bass): Dark Star > Viola Lee Blues > Doin’ That Rag, Passenger, Bird Song > The Wheel > Viola Lee Blues > Rock-n-Roll Blues, Liberty

Set Two (Grahame Lesh on bass): Mason’s Children, St. Stephen > Good Times Bad Times > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Dark Star > New Speedway Boogie > Terrapin Station > No More Do I > Viola Lee Blues > Unbroken Chain

Encore: Patchwork Quilt, Box Of Rain