Phil Lesh, one of the founding members and bassist of The Grateful Dead, has passed away … his official Instagram account revealed on Friday.
The announcement specified that Phil, who collaborated closely with the late frontman Jerry Garcia for 30 years, died “peacefully” on Friday morning in the presence of his family.
The statement further remarked … “Phil brought extraordinary happiness to all those around him and leaves a lasting legacy of music and affection. We kindly ask for privacy for the Lesh family during this time.”
No details regarding the cause of death have been disclosed as of now.
Phil had been associated with the band since its inception when they were initially called The Warlocks. Interestingly, he was the final member to join the group … just before they adopted their legendary name, The Grateful Dead.
Alongside Phil and Jerry, the original members of The Grateful Dead comprised Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and Bill Kreutzmann.
After TGD disbanded in 1995, Phil continued his musical journey, forming Phil Lesh and Friends, a band dedicated to honoring the Dead’s music and other compositions.
The bassist is celebrated for his innovative sound and is regarded as one of the greatest bass players in music history.
He was 84 years old.
Rest in Peace