Hours after the death of Phil Lesh, Phish opened the first night of their fall tour with a poignant rendition of “Box of Rain,” the bassist’s most enduring Grateful Dead song, at their concert in Albany, New York.
While the performance marked the first time that Phish has covered “Box of Rain,” guitarist Trey Anastasio previously played the American Beauty standout alongside Lesh at one of the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well concerts in Chicago in 2015:
Earlier in the day, Anastasio penned a tribute to Lesh, who he’s shared the stage with on a handful of occasions over the past 25 years. “Phil was more than a revolutionary, groundbreaking bass player—he transformed how I thought about music as a teenager,” he wrote. “I have countless memories of standing in awe, listening to his winding, eloquent bass lines blending seamlessly with Jerry and Bobby’s guitars, Brent Mydland’s keys, and the thunderous drums of Billy and Mickey. I’m so grateful for those beautiful memories.”
As phish.net notes, during Phish’s performance of “The Howling,” bassist Mike Gordon teased the bass line from the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street” to further honor Lesh. Gordon also took to social media Friday to pen a lengthy tribute to the influential bassist.
“It’s hard to put into words the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound influence on all of us,” Gordon wrote. “The Grateful Dead were uniquely moving, and I always felt Phil’s contribution was at the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was both beautiful and unprecedented. Playing his bass through his rig was a revelation, yet no one could recreate that unique sound—it was all in his sonic vision and his fingers.”
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It’s hard to put into words the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound influence on all of us. The Grateful Dead were uniquely moving, and I always felt Phil’s contribution was at the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was both beautiful and unprecedented.
(1/8) pic.twitter.com/FYOCnAPzkM— Mike Gordon (@mike_gordon) October 26, 2024
“As bass players, we walk a line between holding down the foundation and finding the freedom to be melodic. No one embodied this balance like Phil; it was astounding. His playing had a mesmerizing power, and his melodic lines floated like birds dancing through endless clouds and rainbows,” Gordon continued.
“Phil’s classical training may have helped him see basslines as intricate counterpoints. Influenced by a wide array of sources, he spun these inspirations into something altogether new – a vibrant, singular art form. His spirituality also shone through in his music; he often spoke of music as coming from God, with musicians as conduits. Phil was undoubtedly one of the greatest conduits ever.”