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Grateful Dead co-founding bassist Phil Lesh has died at the age of 84. The band shared the news on social media today (Fri, Oct 25th).
“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning. 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 band shares on their Facebook page.
Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day and earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music. Today, the connection is as strong as ever. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Their final tally of 2,318 total concerts remains a world record.
Two days ago, The Recording Academy announced that it would honor the Grateful Dead as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year. In celebration of the band’s 60th anniversary, original members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Lesh, and Bob Weir will be recognized for their immense music contributions, tireless philanthropic efforts, and pioneering role in fostering communities through their concerts and activism. The special night will also include posthumous tributes to Jerry Garcia, one of the band’s founders. The 34th annual Persons of the Year benefit gala will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Friday, January 31, 2025, two nights before the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena.
