Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh dead at age 84

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Damn. We've lost another Classic Rock great.

Phil Lesh has passed away. Lesh, 84, was the oldest surviving member of the Grateful Dead.

Lesh has dealt with numerous health issues, including prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a 1998 liver transplant due to Hep C.

Phil Lesh was a classically-trained violinist and trumpet player, appearing with the Oakland Symphony Orchestra as a teenager. Lesh was driving a mail truck and working as a sound engineer when Jerry Garcia asked him to join a new rock band called - at that time - the Warlocks. Lesh responded that he didn't play the bass but Garcia said he would show Lesh everything he needed to know.

Lesh wrote the music for several songs for the Dead, including "Box of Rain."

in recent years he performed with a group called Phil Lesh and Friends, often playing at a nightclub he owned called "Terrapin Crossroads." the name is a reference to the Dead album Terrapin Station.

Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann are the only living original members. drummer Mickey Hart joined later.

Lesh, Jerry Garcia and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan from the original lineup have passed away. Other members who have died include Keith Godchaux and Brent Mydland.

Light up a joint and listen to "Ripple." Uncle John's Band has lost another member.
 

Phil was an original. Super interesting dude and great bass player. I have loved the Dead since I was 15. It isn't a total surprise since he had a great run, but it still sucks. Box of Rain is the quintessential Dead song imo and he penned a couple others that make my top list. RIP Phil.
 

PHILCO (Lesh & Friends, including WILCO members Jeff Tweedy & Nels Cline)

Franklin's Tower
 

I have friends who lived near him and would chat with him occasionally. Sounded like a really pleasant guy. It was always cute when they would post photos of their kids with Lesh when they ran into him.
 




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