Phil Lesh, one of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 84, according to a statement shared on his Instagram account Friday (October 25).
“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time,” the statement reads.
Lesh joined the Grateful Dead, who were called the Warlocks at the time, as a bassist alongside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron ‘Pigpen‘ McKernan and Bill Kreutzmann in 1965. The core lineup of Garcia, Weir, Lesh and Kreutzmann stayed in tact during the Dead’s 30-year run prior to Garcia’s death in 1995, becoming one of the most influential bands in history.
Lesh rarely took the lead as a writer or singer, but is credited for writing ‘Box of Rain‘ and ‘Truckin’,’ the opening and closing songs on the Dead’s iconic 1970 album American Beauty, while also providing lead vocals on Box of Rain. The Berkley native went on to play in several Grateful Dead offshoots with Weir, as well as Phil Lesh and friends, which included lineups of musicians from Phish, the Black Crowes and the Allman Brothers Band.
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