The Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Passes Away at 84

According to breaking reports, Phil Lesh of the rock band Grateful Dead has died. The reports come from a recent Instagram post on Lesh’s account, which we can assume was posted by his family.

According to the post, Lesh passed away peacefully early in the morning of Friday, October 25, surrounded by his loved ones and family.

“Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love,” the post reads.

The post also requests that the family receive privacy during this difficult time. The cause of Lesh’s death has not yet been released. He was 84.

Remembering Phil Lesh’s Legacy with The Grateful Dead

Lesh was born in Berkeley, California and became a legendary figure in the iconic jam band The Grateful Dead’s lineup. Originally a violin player, Lesh picked up the trumpet in high school. He enjoyed avant-garde classical music and was quite a big fan of free jazz.

Lesh attended the University of California, Berkeley in 1961, where he met future keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, Tom Constanten. After dropping out of university, Lesh went on to study under Italian modernist Luciano Berio via Mills College. While volunteering for KPFA, Lesh met banjo player Jerry Garcia. Even though their musical interests varied wildly, the two became friends and eventually Lesh was talked into being the bassist for Garcia’s new band, then known as The Warlocks, in 1964. They eventually renamed themselves Grateful Dead, and the rest is history.

Lesh didn’t know how to play the bass when he first joined the legendary band and learned “on the job”. His bass-playing style was heavily influenced by Bach as well as Jack Bruce of the band Cream.

In 1994, Lesh was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Grateful Dead. After the band broke up, he went on to join a number of groups before starting his own band, Phil Lesh And Friends. Lesh continued to perform music up until his death.

Rest in peace, Phil.

Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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