Phil Lesh, co-founder and bass player of the Grateful Dead, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 84, as announced on his Facebook page.
Born in Berkeley in 1940, Lesh teamed up with Jerry Garcia to create the Grateful Dead in 1964, initially naming the band the Warlocks. The Grateful Dead played a pivotal role in establishing the psychedelic sound of San Francisco, writing music from a house in Haight-Ashbury, which has become a pilgrimage site for fans.
After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Phil Lesh continued to keep the music alive by performing alongside fellow bandmate Bob Weir. He played several shows in San Francisco over the last few years, including a performance at the Warfield on May 9, 2024, and at the Fillmore on November 3, December 15, and December 17, 2023. He also performed at the Stern Grove Festival in August 2022.
In his later years, Lesh faced health challenges, including prostate and bladder cancers. Fortunately, surgeries appeared to help him regain his health. The cause of his death has not been disclosed, and the family has requested privacy during this time.
