US News: Phil Lesh, Founding Member of Grateful Dead, Passes Away
Phil Lesh, a founding member of the US rock band the Grateful Dead, has passed away at the age of 84.
The bass player was part of the original line-up of the band with Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan.
His death was confirmed on Friday in a post on his Instagram account.
The message stated: “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 cause of death was not specified, but Lesh had previously battled prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and underwent a liver transplant in 1998 due to hepatitis C.
Lesh, originally a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter, found his true passion as a founding member of the Grateful Dead.
The band became synonymous with the acid rock scene in San Francisco in the 1960s.
Lesh composed the music for the popular track Unbroken Chain, reflecting the band’s connection with their audience.
He also sang Box Of Rain in 1970, a song he wrote while his father was terminally ill.
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His passing leaves Weir and Kreutzmann as the only surviving members from the original Grateful Dead line-up.
The band disbanded after lead singer Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995, while McKernan passed away in 1973.
Other members who have since passed are Brent Myland, who died of an overdose in 1990, and Keith Godchaux, killed in a car accident in 1980 after leaving the group.
