Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Dies at 84

Bassist Phil Lesh, best known for being a founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died. He was 84 years old. The news was confirmed on his official Instagram page: “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.”

Born in 1940, Lesh began his musical career as a classically trained trumpeter. He was then recruited to play bass (despite never studying it) in 1965 for a group called the Warlocks, fronted by his friend Jerry Garcia. Lesh went on to cofound the Grateful Dead and played with offshoot bands the Other Ones and the Dead and Furthur, as well as his own bands, Phil Lesh and Friends and the Terrapin Family Band. He also co-headlined several tours with Bob Dylan. Lesh was not a part of Dead & Company, as he was replaced by Allman Brother Band bassist Otell Burbridge.