# RIP Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead bassist) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, music\ **Created:** [October 25, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219 "2024-10-25T19:38:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/1 "2024-10-25T19:38:52Z")
I am gutted. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9r8aycpHmY0/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHeA4AC6AKKAgwIABABGHIgSygyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBsLMoga3x1c6yjVWyxsvwwF4FHyA "Grateful Dead - Box of Rain") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r8aycpHmY0) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/2 "2024-10-25T19:45:34Z")
Oh no. I’ve seen Phil play literally hundreds of times, with the Grateful Dead, with the various Phil and Friends lineups, at Terrapin Crossroads before it closed, etc. But I think the last time I saw him was almost 2 years ago. I passed up a couple of more recent shows, and remember thinking “should I be doing this? He’s not going to be around much longer.” He wasn’t much of a singer but man could he play that bass. RIP Phil. > **[Grateful Dead Bassist Phil Lesh Has Died](https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-bassist-phil-lesh-obituary)** > > Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has died at age 84. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/3 "2024-10-25T19:46:41Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I’ve seen Phil play literally hundreds of times, with the Grateful Dead, with the various Phil and Friends lineups, at Terrapin Crossroads before it closed, etc Me too. I am sure we’ve crossed paths. Coincidentally I have tickets to Los Lobos tonight. I am sure they will pay tribute. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/4 "2024-10-25T19:56:21Z")
Well, @hajario . I heard it here – and from you – first. Busy day. Perfect song choice, of course. Yeah. I got to a lot of the shows in the various formulations, too. My sympathies to his loved ones, the rest of the band, the music world, and … my fellow DeadHead Dopers. Oops. Something got into my eye. Gotta’ go… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/5 "2024-10-25T19:58:44Z")
Sigh. Another hero gone. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/6 "2024-10-25T20:43:10Z")
A very sad day. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/7 "2024-10-25T20:51:57Z")
I heard this news in the car on my way home from work. I switched stations to the Grateful Dead sirius station, and after an RIP Phil sound clip they played Black Muddy River. But I will try not to be saddened by this news. Thinking of Phil should, and will, bring a smile. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/8 "2024-10-25T20:56:43Z")
Very sad. Going to Dead concerts was one of my all-time favorite things to do. I even saw Jerry’s last concert (didn’t know it would be the last at the time). RIP > [@bobot](#): > > I switched stations to the Grateful Dead sirius station, and after an RIP Phil sound clip they played Black Muddy River. The last Grateful Dead show with Jerry (I was in there somewhere): [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mKxHQk2I6h0/hqdefault.jpg "Black Muddy River - Soldier Field 07/09/95 HD/HQ") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKxHQk2I6h0&t=60/) ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/9 "2024-10-25T21:10:02Z")
I was there too, Brother! It’s a big part of the reason that song bums me out. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/10 "2024-10-25T21:15:09Z")
I was there. I was in Chicago on business and a buddy called me to say that … the Dead were at Soldier. I reached out for a ticket, sure they’d be sold out, but I got one – one, I guess, wasn’t so hard. Face value. When I showed up for the concert, the security told me I was at the wrong entrance. Huh? Okay. I was about fifth row, center. Apparently, that’s where the remaining single seat was available. I was surrounded by attorneys, neurosurgeons, and other Yuppie Deadheads, all pissed at me because they paid a shit-ton for the same seats. > [@](#): > > Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (Sunday 7/9/95) > > Touch of Grey > Little Red Rooster > Lazy River > Masterpiece\* > Childhood’s End > Cumberland Blues > Promised Land > > Shakedown Street > Samson & Delilah > So Many Roads > Samba in the Rain > Corrina → > Drums → > Space → > Unbroken Chain > Sugar Magnolia > > E: Black Muddy River > Box of Rain > > \*Weir on acoustic > (The Band opened) ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/11 "2024-10-25T22:56:36Z")
Bummer. I got to see the shows at RFK in DC about two weeks before the Chicago shows. They did play Box of Rain. > Set 1: Shakedown Street > Wang Dang Doodle > Jack A Roe > Mama Tried\* \> Mexicali Blues\* > Loose Lucy > Picasso Moon > > Set 2: Box Of Rain > The Rain Song > Samson & Delilah > Ship of Fools > Truckin’ \> Rollin’ & Tumblin’ \> Samba In The Rain \> Drums > \> Space \> Wharf Rat \> Not Fade Away > > Brokedown Palace ---
**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/12 "2024-10-25T23:29:33Z")
Wondered if Phil would merit a thread here, glad to see there are some other dopers who got to see him live. I was at Hampton Coliseum March 23, 1987 when they broke out “Box of Rain” for the first time in 13 years - getting chills just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/13 "2024-10-25T23:29:52Z")
Fare you well, fare you well, we love you more than words can tell. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2024, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/14 "2024-10-25T23:55:46Z")
Cool. Herbibot has the first Dead show I ever saw, in Alaska. > **[Grateful Dead Streaming - - 1980/6/19 - West High Auditorium](https://www.herbibot.com/?show=1980%2F6%2F19)** > > \*\*Set 1:\*\* Alabama Getaway, The Promised Land, They Love Each Other, El Paso, Tennessee Jed, Cassidy, Althea, Looks Like Rain, Far From Me, The Music Never Stopped | \*\*Set 2:\*\* China Cat Sunflower, I Know You Rider, See See Rider, Peggy-O, Lost... I don’t remember a lot of it, so I must have had a good time! ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/15 "2024-10-26T01:12:58Z")
Gift link to Phil’s obituary on the New York Times. > **[Phil Lesh, Bassist Who Anchored the Grateful Dead, Dies at 84](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/arts/music/phil-lesh-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.U04.wi7r.Ci3XnpsE5V4z&smid=url-share)** > > One of the first rock bassists whose instrument regularly took a lead role, he also had a hand in writing some of the band’s best-known songs. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/16 "2024-10-26T03:43:48Z")
Message from the three remaining members of the Grateful Dead: > 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 explorer of inner and outer space who just happened to play bass. He was a circumnavigator of formerly unknown musical worlds. And more. > We can count on the fingers of one hand the people we can say had as profound an influence on our development - in every sense. And there have been even less people who did so continuously over the decades and will continue to for as long as we live. What a gift he was for us. We won’t say he will be missed, as in any given moment, nothing we do will be without the lessons he taught us - and the lessons that are yet to come, as the conversations will go on. > Phil loved the Dead Heads and always kept them in his heart and mind. The thing is… Phil was so much more than a virtuoso bass player, a composer, a family man, a cultural icon… > There will be a lot of tributes, and they will all say important things. But for us, we’ve spent a lifetime making music with Phil Lesh and the music has a way of saying it all. So listen to the Grateful Dead and, in that way, we’ll all take a little bit of Phil with us, forever. > For this is all a dream we dreamed one afternoon, long ago… > - Mickey, Billy and Bobby   BTW, Bob Weir is playing at the String Cheese Incident’s Hulaween festival this weekend. I presume they will do some kind of tribute to Phil. You can live-stream the festival at [nugs.net](https://www.nugs.net/on/demandware.store/Sites-NugsNet-Site/default/Watch-ViewAll?cgid=ARTIST-1051-WEBCAST). It requires a subscription (one month is $15). ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/17 "2024-10-26T20:00:53Z")
Thanks for the link. “Anchored” is correct indeed. I’d say like John Entwistle was as well. 84 years came as a surprise - yet just about everyone who started out in the 60’s is 80-ish. Bobby is “only” 78 and Jerry would only be right about 82 as well. He always got an appreciative cheer when he stepped up to the mike and “Box” was always welcome I was at the Nassau Coliseum on April 1, 1993. Apparently there had been some party for kids during the break and Barney the purple dinosaur was there. Phil got the Barney player to go out to open the second set with a bass guitar for “Iko” as he played offstage. I’m not even sure the rest of the band knew. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/18 "2024-10-26T20:30:08Z")
Another country heard from – this one, your archetypal ‘insider:’ > **[Bill Kreutzmann](https://www.facebook.com/BIllKreutzmann/posts/phil-lesh-was-my-brother-not-by-blood-but-still-by-family-ive-heard-so-many-of-y/1084956996342026/)** > > 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. > > Phil turned me onto John... ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/19 "2024-10-26T20:39:56Z")
Don’t have facebook and had to know “John who?” Through the “join us” mists I saw it was John Coltrane. Of course. “Wow, jazz is cool. What else is there?” Miles … ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219/20 "2024-10-26T20:42:02Z")
I wasn’t sure if copying it all here was/is cool, but – just in case – I’ll take the chance: > [@](#): > > 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. > > Phil turned me onto John Coltrane. Back in the early days of our friendship, he wasn’t just like a brother to me - he was like an older brother. A roommate. A bandmate. A mentor. > > All lifelong friendships and family relationships are complicated and dynamic, but ultimately stand the test of time. So keep only the good memories, for they are the only ones that matter. That’s what I’m going to do. Because love is real, not fade away. > > Thank you Phil. I’ll miss you, darn it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-lesh-grateful-dead-bassist/1009219.md?page=2)