Phil Lesh, As Remembered By His Grateful Dead Bandmates
The surviving bandmates of the Grateful Dead have joined others across the industry in honoring founding member Phil Lesh after the bassist died at 84 on Friday morning. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and Bob Weir said in a joint statement that they had “lost a brother.” The trio went on to praise Lesh’s abilities as a performer and “profound” impact on the band’s development. “In one note from the Phil Zone, you could hear and feel the world being born,” the statement said. “His bass flowed like a river would flow. It went where the muse took it. He was an explorer of inner and outer space who just happened to play bass. He was a circumnavigator of formerly unknown musical worlds. And more.” Hart, Kreutzmann, and Weir each also shared tributes to Lesh on their individual social media accounts. Other musicians, including some who performed alongside Lesh as part of his rotating Phil and Friends lineup, also remembered him online. And Lesh was even physically honored from coast to coast; both the Empire State Building and San Francisco City Hall lit up to mourn his death. Below, find more remembrances.
Today we lost a brother. Our hearts and love go out to Jill Lesh, Brian and Grahame. Phil Lesh was irreplaceable. In one note from the Phil Zone, you could hear and feel the world being born. His bass flowed like a river would flow. It went where the muse took it. He was an… pic.twitter.com/3u5lOomXxi
— Grateful Dead (@GratefulDead) October 26, 2024
— Mickey Hart (@mickeyhart) October 26, 2024
Phil Lesh was my brother. Not by blood but still by family. I’ve heard so many of you tell me that the Grateful Dead changed your life. Yeah, well… Phil Lesh changed mine.
Thank you Phil. I’ll miss you, darn it. pic.twitter.com/jza6HXU7Mk
— Bill Kreutzmann (@BKreutzmann) October 26, 2024
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We are devastated to learn of Phil’s passage to the next life. We will miss his sharply dry humor, wry smiles and brilliant insights. Our hearts and our love go out to his beloved wife and family. He truly lived for them with all his being.
His life’s work is a beacon for all… pic.twitter.com/d1C3M2uUrF
— Jerry Garcia (@jerrygarcia) October 25, 2024
Phil Lesh kept it going. @GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/YzQfqGapnS
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 25, 2024
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We’d like to add our voice to the chorus of people mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Phil Lesh.
He was always so kind, and he welcomed us into the Terrapin fold with open arms. His impact on us, and music as a whole can’t be overstated. He’ll be gratefully missed. pic.twitter.com/L0bLe7EXPv
— The Stringdusters (@stringdusters) October 25, 2024
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Tonight from 9-10PM we will shine in tie-dye to honor the life and legacy of Phil Lesh @GratefulDead pic.twitter.com/13jYDj4Wnn
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) October 25, 2024
Phil Lesh was more than a bassist—he was a San Francisco icon who helped define an era and shape the world of music. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the community he helped build. Our thoughts are with his family and all who loved him.
Tonight we will… pic.twitter.com/eghK6MnZsf
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) October 25, 2024
Here’s a pic by Neal Casal of Phil Lesh and I at soundcheck the night in 2017 he joined my band @TheTydeOfficial onstage for 2 @bobdylan classics & one of my tunes he picked. It was surreal having “The Thunder” he turned to the drummer and said “don’t play it so folk rock” RIP🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/xXqQ7W5GIn
— Darren Rademaker (@darrenrademaker) October 25, 2024
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