The remaining members of the Grateful Dead, along with numerous musicians and fans, are honoring Phil Lesh, a founding member of the band, who passed away on Friday at the age of 84.

Lesh was a groundbreaking bassist whose jazz background enhanced his improvisational talents. He played a key role in establishing the Grateful Dead after befriending Jerry Garcia, a banjo player and guitarist, and persuading him to record for a folk radio program that Lesh was managing.

As the musicians who would eventually form the Grateful Dead began to come together in the Bay Area, their musical direction shifted from jug band sounds to rock. It was at Lesh’s home where they decided to rename the band from the Warlocks to the Grateful Dead.

“Initially, I thought we’d last five years and then take our earnings and go. … But it turned out to be a lifetime experience,” Lesh remarked in “Playing in the Band: An Oral and Visual Portrait of the Grateful Dead” by David Gans and Peter Simon. “I told the guys, ‘You know, this could be art!’ They laughed because they already understood.”

Bob Weir Reflects on Phil Lesh’s Passing

Lesh, who composed jazz pieces and learned bass to join the Grateful Dead, introduced the band to the music of John Coltrane early in their journey.

“I shaped my guitar playing style partially due to Phil introducing me to the Coltrane Quartet,” Bob Weir shared on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

“He also opened my eyes to modern classical music and its complexities, which we attempted to blend into our own sound,” Weir noted. “This was all fresh and exciting for our audience. While Stravinsky’s works were not completely new to me, the way they were discussed by Phil and I was profound, leading to significant growth for me.”

“The connection and dialogue we shared will last well beyond my lifetime,” he said.

Drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart Honor Lesh’s Impact

Bill Kreutzmann, the original drummer of the Grateful Dead, praised Lesh for his influence on his musical journey in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Phil introduced me to John Coltrane, and back in those early days, he felt like an older brother, a roommate, a bandmate, and a mentor,” he wrote.

“Phil Lesh transformed my life. There are few individuals that significantly impact you spiritually and musically,” reflected Mickey Hart, who became the second drummer in 1967, in his own Instagram tribute.

Hart described Lesh as “an improvisational genius” who “taught all of us.” He added, “Phil was larger than life, integral to the band, and his bass reverberated through my consciousness. Together, we created something unexplainable during those years.”

The official accounts for Jerry Garcia, who passed away in 1995, paid homage to Lesh, stating that his “life’s contributions will inspire future generations of musicians and remain a vital part of music’s essence. His impact is nearly impossible to articulate.”

Phish Remembers Phil Lesh

Trey Anastasio of Phish, who performed with the Grateful Dead during their final concerts in 2015 after Garcia’s death in 1996, reflected on Lesh’s influence on him.

“As a teenager, Phil altered my perception of music,” Anastasio wrote on Instagram. “I have numerous cherished moments listening to his intricate bass lines harmonizing with Jerry’s and Bobby’s guitars, as well as Brent Mydland’s keyboard and the powerful rhythms from Billy and Mickey. These memories are truly special.”

Anastasio shared that his first experiences playing alongside Lesh in 1999 revealed not only Phil’s extraordinary talent but also his kindness and warmth. “I treasure the times we spent playing music, sharing meals, and laughing together, getting to know him as a dear friend.”

Mike Gordon, Phish’s bassist, emphasized Lesh’s significant role in the band’s magic. “Phil’s contributions were essential to the unique power of the Grateful Dead. His sound was both beautiful and groundbreaking,” he stated in a post on X.

Gordon recalled conversations with Lesh, where he expressed belief that the Grateful Dead’s music would endure “for centuries.” He concluded with the insight that “Phil’s impact on that legacy will live on.”

generations future generations. We will always hold him in our memories, and his impact will continue to resonate within us all.”

During their concert on Friday night in Albany, New York, Phish started the show with “Box of Rain,” the signature song of the Grateful Dead for which Lesh sang lead. He wrote this song alongside lyricist Robert Hunter.

Phil Lesh and the Grateful Dead are still being celebrated

The Kennedy Center recently announced that the Grateful Dead will be honored among this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees, stating on X, Facebook, and Instagram that “Lesh will be remembered as a genuine musical innovator for his unique and experimental approach.”

Moreover, the Grateful Dead will be recognized as the MusiCares Persons of the Year in January 2025, with a ceremony set to take place before the Grammy Awards.

“As a renowned bassist and a founding member of the Grateful Dead, Phil’s remarkable contributions to music, advocacy, and philanthropy have a lasting influence,” the social media post from MusiCares, the charitable division of the Recording Academy, noted.

Fans were invited to celebrate Lesh’s legacy by enjoying the Grateful Dead’s music, as declared in a message signed by Weir, Kreutzmann, and Hart on the official Grateful Dead accounts across Facebook, X, and Instagram.

“In one note from the Phil Zone, you could perceive and sense the emergence of the world,” the note shared. “His bass resonated like a flowing river, moving wherever the inspiration guided it. He was a seeker of both internal and external realms who merely happened to play bass. He explored uncharted musical territories.”

Phil Lesh on Deadheads and the Grateful Dead’s significance

Lesh acknowledged Deadheads when introducing the book “Playing in the Band,” commenting, “When the Grateful Dead is in action, it involves everyone present, both the band and the audience. Therefore, in a way, we are all part of the band. I view it as a metaphor for humanity: didn’t Ben Franklin mention something about unity versus separation? The Grateful Dead transcends music, yet at its core, it has always been about music.”

Regarding the band’s influence, Lesh expressed his hope that their music would foster “an open mindset among musicians, an eagerness to embrace risks, and a willingness to explore and mix contrasting elements.”