Phil Lesh

2024 - 10 - 25

Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh Jams Off to the Great Gig in the Sky at 84!

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The legendary bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh, has passed away. Join us in celebration of his incredible life and musical journey!

Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist and founding member of the iconic jam band Grateful Dead, has sadly passed away at the age of 84. Known for his innovative bass playing which helped to redefine the psychedelic rock sound of the 1960s and 70s, Lesh died peacefully at home on a Friday morning, surrounded by his family and filled with love. His passing has left an indelible mark on the music world and has sparked memories and tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike.

Born on March 15, 1940, Lesh was not just a bassist; he was a classically trained musician with a background as a jazz trumpeter! His diverse musical influences played a significant role in the development of the Grateful Dead’s sound, which embraced jazz, rock, folk, and even elements of classical music. Notably, his unique approach to bass allowed him to steer the band’s improvisational moments, making each live performance a truly unique experience.

From chart-topping hits to night-long rambling jams, Lesh and the Grateful Dead redefined what it meant to be a rock band. Songs like ‘Box of Rain,’ where Lesh took the lead vocals, captured the band's essence — filled with lyrical depth and heartfelt emotion. For many fans who followed the band on their legendary tours, the experience wasn’t just about the music; it was about the community and connection formed through those magical live performances.

Beyond his contributions to the Grateful Dead, Lesh was a passionate advocate for the importance of music education, often reflecting on how music had shaped his life. His legacy is not only found in every note he played but also in the countless musicians he inspired. Did you know Lesh was also involved in the creation of the Terrapin Crossroads venue in San Rafael, California, which has become a hub for music lovers? Or that he proudly boasted a collection of over a dozen different bass guitars to match the varied musical styles he explored? Phil Lesh's remarkable life and musical journey will continue to influence generations to come.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

The Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh dies at 84 (NPR)

Lesh, an original member of America's preeminent jam band, died Friday morning.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead bassist and founding member, dies at 84 (NBC News)

Grateful Dead founding member and bassist Phil Lesh died Friday morning, according to a post on his official Instagram account.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Phil Lesh, bassist for the Grateful Dead, dies at 84 (The Guardian)

The musician was a founding member of the influential band and died 'surrounded by his family and full of love'

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

Phil Lesh, founding member of Grateful Dead and influential bassist ... (CTV News)

Phil Lesh, a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of ...

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead Co-Founder and Bassist, Dead at 84 (Rolling Stone)

The Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh, who helped co-found the legendary band and served as their bassist, has died at the age of 84.

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

Phil Lesh, bassist for Grateful Dead, dies at 84 (Los Angeles Times)

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh propelled many of the band's wilder explorations while taking a rare vocal turn on fan favorite 'Box of Rain.'

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Image courtesy of "KGO-TV"

Phil Lesh, founding member of Bay Area's The Grateful Dead, dies ... (KGO-TV)

Stream local breaking news and original programming, live 24/7, from ABC7 Bay Area. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Phil ...

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Image courtesy of "The Globe and Mail"

Phil Lesh, founding member of Grateful Dead and influential bassist ... (The Globe and Mail)

Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest surviving members of the band that came to define the acid rock sound emanating from San Francisco in the 1960s.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead bassist and founding member, dies: 'A ... (USA TODAY)

Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead whose electric bass playing came to define the psychedelic San Francisco sound, died Oct. 25.

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Image courtesy of "TVA Nouvelles"

Mort de Phil Lesh, cofondateur du groupe de rock Grateful Dead (TVA Nouvelles)

Le bassiste Phil Lesh, un des fondateurs du groupe de rock psychédélique américain Grateful Dead, est mort vendredi à l'âge de 84 ans.

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Image courtesy of "La Presse"

Phil Lesh, membre fondateur de Grateful Dead, s'éteint à 84 ans (La Presse)

Phil Lesh, un violoniste de formation classique et trompettiste de jazz qui a trouvé sa véritable vocation en réinventant le rôle de la basse rock en tant ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead bassist and founding member, dies at 84 (CBS News)

Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, died surrounded by his family, a post on his Instagram said.

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Image courtesy of "Exclaim!"

Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Dead at 84 Exclaim! (Exclaim!)

He passed away "peacefully" this morning, surrounded by his family.

Phil Lesh Dead: Grateful Dead Bassist Was 84 (Vulture)

Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead's founding bassist who changed how the instrument was played, has died. He was 84.

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

Phil Lesh Dead: Grateful Dead Bassist Was 84 (Variety)

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 ...

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Image courtesy of "SFGate"

Grateful Dead co-founder Phil Lesh has died at age 84 (SFGate)

Phil Lesh, founding bass player of the Grateful Dead, has died, his Facebook page announced Friday.

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Image courtesy of "BurlingtonFreePress.com"

Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead's pioneering bassist, dies at 84: 'A legacy of ... (BurlingtonFreePress.com)

The Grateful Dead played two massive concerts in northern Vermont in the mid-1990s, drawing more than 150000 ticket holders combined.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Phil Lesh: Grateful Dead co-founder dies aged 84 (BBC News)

The leading member of the US rock group passed away peacefully, his official Instagram account says.

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Image courtesy of "CBS 5"

Social media tributes pay homage to Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh (CBS 5)

There was an outpouring of sadness and gratitude in the Bay Area and across the globe Friday as musicians and music fans paid tribute to founding bassist of ...

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Image courtesy of "OPB News"

The Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh dies at 84 (OPB News)

Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of countercultural rock band The Grateful Dead, has died. He was 84 years old. His family posted the news on Lesh's ...

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Image courtesy of "KGO-TV"

Phil Lesh, founding member of Bay Area's The Grateful Dead, dies ... (KGO-TV)

A native of Berkeley, California, Lesh co-founded the band Grateful Dead in 1965 in Palo Alto with Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan and Bill ...

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Phil Lesh, influential bassist and Grateful Dead founding member ... (PBS NewsHour)

Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest surviving members of the band that came to define the acid rock sound emanating from San Francisco in the 1960s.

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Image courtesy of "ICI.Radio-Canada.ca"

Phil Lesh, membre fondateur du groupe Grateful Dead, est décédé (ICI.Radio-Canada.ca)

Phil Lesh, un violoniste de formation classique et trompettiste de jazz qui a trouvé sa véritable vocation en réinventant le rôle de la basse rock en tant que ...

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

Warren Haynes Remembers Phil Lesh: 'His Open-Mindedness ... (Rolling Stone)

Warren Haynes Remembers Phil Lesh: 'His Open-Mindedness About Music Surpassed Anyone'. "Sometimes when a jam was on the risk of falling apart, or even when it ...

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Image courtesy of "Le Journal de Montréal"

Mort de Phil Lesh, cofondateur du groupe de rock Grateful Dead (Le Journal de Montréal)

Le bassiste Phil Lesh, un des fondateurs du groupe de rock psychédélique américain Grateful Dead, est mort vendredi à l'âge de 84 ans.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Phil Lesh, Bassist Who Anchored the Grateful Dead, Dies at 84 (The New York Times)

One of the first rock bassists whose instrument regularly took a lead role, he also had a hand in writing some of the band's best-known songs.

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Phil Lesh dies at 84: Bandmates and musicians pay tribute to ... (USA TODAY)

Playing in the Grateful Dead 'turned out to be life,' said Phil Lesh, founding bassist for the band who died Oct. 25 at the age of 84.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Phil Lesh, who anchored the Grateful Dead with thundering bass ... (CBC.ca)

Phil Lesh, a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of ...

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