Today is a day of deep sorrow and mourning for Deadheads all across the planet. Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has died at age 84. “[He] passed peacefully this morning,” read a statement from his family. “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.”
The Grateful Dead bassist had been battling health problems for many years, and he survived prostate cancer in 2007 and bladder cancer in 2015. But throughout it all, Lesh never stopped playing music. He celebrated his 84th birthday in March with a series of Phil Lesh and Friends shows at the Capitol Theater in Porter Chester, New York, headlined a gig a the Warfield Theater in San Francisco on May 9, and then performed at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael, California on July 21. The latter show wound up being the final concert of Lesh’s life.
The McNears Beach Phil Lesh and Friends concert took place on the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Hollywood Bowl show on July 21, 1974. And to celebrate the occasion, Lesh — joined by drummer John Molo, keyboardist Jason Crosby, guitarist/singer Stanley Jordan, vocalist Elliott Peck, guitarist/singer Stu Allen, guitarist/singer Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz, and guitarist/singer Grahame Lesh — broke out many of the same songs the Dead played on that day, adding only “Over The Rainbow” into the mix.
They wrapped up 1970’s “Sugar Magnolia,” a song the Dead played over 600 times. “We’ve got one more for you before the curfew hits,” Lesh told the crowd. “I want to thank you all for coming out and joining us here. When you’re home with nothing to do, check out the Terrapin Clubhouse YouTube channel. We’ve got a lot of music there for you guys, and we’re going to have a podcast out in the fall.” Phil’s son Grahame then introduced the band, ending with his father. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Phil said afterward, “because I get to play with these guys.”
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When the group took the stage again on August 18 at McNears Beach Park, Phil Lesh was nowhere to be seen. Sam Grisman, son of longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator David Grisman, played bass in his place. It was an ominous sign, but fans knew little about the dire state of Lesh’s health until the news broke that he had died.
Lesh packed about 18 different lives into his 84 years on this planet. He’s visibly quite frail in this video from his last show, but his playing remains exquisite. The group will hopefully continue with Grahame Lesh and Sam Grisman leading the charge. As we learned after Garcia died in 1995, this music is larger than any one person. It’ll live forever.
