Phil Lesh Passes Away at 84

GHPARROTOctober 26, 2024

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Phil Lesh, the iconic bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, has passed away at 84. His family announced his death on Instagram.

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Born in 1940 in Berkeley, California, Lesh initially pursued classical music, studying violin and trumpet before switching to bass when Jerry Garcia invited him to join his band in the ’60s. Together, they formed The Grateful Dead in 1965, becoming known for their improvisational style and countercultural influence.

Lesh played a central role in the band’s sound, pushing them creatively. He also sang memorable songs like “Box of Rain” and “Unbroken Chain.”

After Garcia’s death in 1995, Lesh continued to perform, founding Terrapin Crossroads, a venue in San Rafael, where he played with his sons until its closure in 2021. Lesh’s enduring love for music remained strong, as he told The Marin Independent Journal earlier this year, “Music and performing are as essential as food and drink to me.”