Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Lifeless has died on the age of 84, his household have confirmed.
“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Lifeless, handed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his household and full of affection,” the assertion shared on social media learn.
“Phil introduced immense pleasure to everybody round him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you just respect the Lesh household’s privateness at the moment.”
The bassist was a member of the rock band alongside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Invoice Kreutzman and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Fashioned in 1965 close to San Francisco, CA, they had been recognized for an eclectic mixture of rock, blues and jazz, however turned recognized for his or her improvisation throughout stay performanes.
In 1996 he revealed he had been identified with prostate most cancers, and he underwent a liver transplant in 1998 after a hepatitis an infection.
Finest recognized for the music”Unbroken Chain”, which he wrote for the band about their reference to followers, he additionally sang on the monitor “Field Of Rain”, which he wrote whereas his father was dying.
The Grateful Lifeless disbanded after lead singer Jerry Garcia died in 1995 at a drug rehabilitation clinic, aged 53.
Different members to have died embody Brent Mydland in 1990 of a drug overdose, McKernan of liver illness in 1973 and Keith Godchaux in a 1980 automotive crash after he left the group.
© Roger RessmeyerThe present permutation of the Grateful Lifeless, that includes two surviving members, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, has been performing as Lifeless & Firm, most notably with a 60-date run at Las Vegas’ sphere earlier in 2024 alongside John Mayer.
© Astrida ValigorskyThe household of Jerry additionally confirmed the information of Phil’s demise, writing a transferring tribute which learn, partially, that “his life’s work is a beacon for all of humanity and can proceed to information numerous generations of musicians into the spine of the beat”.
“There are not any phrases to totally categorical the influence he made along with his music and his unbelievable thoughts. We’re eternally grateful and hope everybody joins us in wishing him a wondrous and peaceable voyage to the nice past,” it continued, concluding: “PS say hello to Jerry.”
John Mayer additionally shared the tribute.
His demise comes two days after music basis MusiCares introduced it might honor Phil together with different former members similar to Invoice, Mickey and Bob as its 2025 Individuals of the Yr for his or her charity and marketing campaign work. Invoice had confirmed that Phil, Bob and Mickey would all attend the 2025 ceremony, the place they’d deliberate to have a good time their sixtieth anniversary, and pay tribute to Jerry.
