Influential bassist and co-founder of the iconic rock band Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh, has died at 84. Lesh’s passing was confirmed in a statement posted on his official Instagram account early Friday morning.

According to the statement, he “passed peacefully this morning, 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 statement read.

Lesh had overcome significant health challenges in his life, including two battles with cancer—prostate cancer in 2006 and bladder cancer in 2015. Additionally, he underwent a liver transplant in 1998 following a hepatitis C diagnosis.

The founding bassist of the iconic Grateful Dead, Lesh was a driving force behind the band’s groundbreaking sound. Formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Grateful Dead fused rock, folk, bluegrass, jazz, and blues into a distinctive blend that defined the psychedelic rock scene. Lesh’s experimental approach to the bass was at the heart of this sound, characterized by complex improvisation and extended jams. His innovative, counter-melodic playing style set him apart from traditional rock bassists and played a crucial role in the band’s evolution.

New York, NY – November 10, 2013: Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh performs a surprise set of music in Manhattan’s Central Park.

As a pivotal figure in the countercultural movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Lesh collaborated closely with bandmates Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Mickey Hart, shaping the band’s adventurous musical ethos. Born in Berkeley, California, in 1940, Lesh’s journey with the Dead began when the band formed, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon known for marathon live performances and a devoted fan base, affectionately called “Deadheads.”

Garcia once remarked, “When Phil’s happening, the band’s happening,” capturing the integral role Lesh played in the Grateful Dead.

Bridgeport, Connecticut – July 26, 2013: Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh performs at a music festival.

Even after the Grateful Dead’s final tour in 1995, Lesh kept the spirit of the band alive through various projects, most notably Phil Lesh & Friends. The endeavor allowed him to explore a broad range of musical styles while keeping the improvisational essence of the Grateful Dead intact for new generations of fans. Lesh’s contributions, influenced by classical, jazz, and avant-garde music, left an indelible mark on the Dead’s sound, making him one of rock’s most innovative bassists.

Lesh’s music influenced countless artists and fans alike. With a career spanning nearly six decades, his work remains a cornerstone of American rock music. He leaves behind his wife, Jill, whom he married in 1984, and their two sons, Grahame and Brian, who have both followed in his musical footsteps.

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