Grateful Dead founding member and bassist Phil Lesh passed away at the age of 84, as announced on his official Instagram account. Lesh was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where he began his music career by learning to play the violin and eventually switching to the electric bass. He joined Jerry Garcia in The Warlocks, which later became the Grateful Dead. The band’s experimental blend of rock, jazz, and folk music made them one of the most influential bands in American history. Lesh’s unique style of playing the bass helped redefine the instrument’s sound. After the Grateful Dead disbanded, Lesh continued to perform with a new improvisational band called Phil and Friends. He leaves behind his wife, Jill, and two sons, Grahame and Brian.
Lesh’s death led to an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and fans. San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced that City Hall would be lit in Lesh’s honor, and the Empire State Building in New York City would be lit in tie-dye colors to celebrate his life and legacy. Chuck D of Public Enemy praised Lesh for keeping the music alive, while Martha Quinn remembered him as a beloved figure in the music world. Lesh’s impact on the world of music and his contribution to the counterculture movement of the 1960s will be remembered for generations to come.
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