Phil Lesh, the bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away at the age of 84, as confirmed by his producer Peter Shapiro. Lesh’s Instagram account announced his peaceful passing surrounded by family. The original Grateful Dead members consisted of Jerry Garcia, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Lesh, who signed to Warner Brothers in 1966 and went on to tour for several years. Despite lineup changes, Lesh and Garcia remained the heart of the band. The Grateful Dead was known for their live performances and jamming abilities, which garnered a worldwide fan following. Following Garcia’s death, the band disbanded in 1995 but their music continued to be popular with archival albums charting in the Top 40. Lesh then formed Phil and Friends, a rock/jazz band, and toured with them extensively. Lesh, who initially studied classical violin before transitioning to bass, was married to his wife Jill for over 20 years and had two sons. The legacy of Phil Lesh and The Grateful Dead will live on through their music and the impact they had on the music industry.
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Bass Player and Co-Founder of the Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh, Passes Away at 84
