Phil Lesh, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, dies at 84
The innovative bassist co-wrote some of the California rock band’s most notable, jam-worthy tracks, including ‘Dark Star’ and ‘St Stephen’
Phil Lesh, an innovative bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, died on Friday, according to a statement on his Instagram account. He was 84 years old.
Over three decades, the classically trained Lesh and Grateful Dead icon Jerry Garcia shared a close musical partnership that resulted in the eclectic California rock band’s psychedelic sound and famed onstage improv.
Lesh “passed peacefully” and was “surrounded by his family and full of love”, the statement said.
“Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love.”
Lesh was an early pioneer in the 1960s burgeoning electric bass sound, adopting a more melodic, improvisational approach to the instrument that was traditionally more of a timekeeper, with his chords dominating rather than in the background.
He was far from the band’s most prolific writer but he co-wrote some of the Dead’s most notable, jam-worthy tracks – “Dark Star” and “St Stephen” among them – and also sang harmonies for the band, and less often led vocals.
