Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist of the Grateful Dead, passed away this morning, October 25, at the age of 84. A statement confirmed that he “passed peacefully” surrounded by his family and filled with love. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Born Philip Chapman Lesh in Berkeley, California, he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley in 1961, where he studied music composition under renowned Italian composer Luciano Berio. He was a contemporary of notable composer Steve Reich during his time at the university.
In 1965, Lesh joined Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and Bill Kreutzmann in a band initially named the Warlocks. They officially adopted the name the Grateful Dead during one of Ken Kesey’s Acid Test parties in December 1965.
The band released their debut album, Grateful Dead, in March 1967, gaining fame not only for their recordings but also for their extended live performances around the Bay Area. While Lesh was not frequently in the spotlight as a lead vocalist or songwriter, he co-wrote and sang the lead on the iconic tracks “Box of Rain” and “Truckin’” from the 1970 album American Beauty. Lesh described the band’s experiences as a source of poetic inspiration.
Lesh remained a vital part of the Grateful Dead until its dissolution in 1995, following Jerry Garcia’s death. He subsequently formed Phil Lesh and Friends, performing with various musicians, though he did not participate in the revival band Dead & Company.
In the mid-2000s, Lesh authored the memoir Searching for the Sound, shedding light on his experiences with the Grateful Dead. During this period, he disclosed his battle with prostate cancer, which required surgery, followed by bladder cancer surgery nearly a decade later.
The music world mourns the loss of Phil Lesh, a pioneering figure whose contributions to rock music and culture continue to resonate.
