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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
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A true individual
Like the band beyond description, a man beyond description!
Thanks for so much we can’t begin to understand it all…
Remembering...
how the Phil bombs reverberated off the sandstone walls at Red Rocks. Even Phil was impressed. Priceless!
Cheers to Phil
Unbroken Chain
Thanks for pulling that out Phil.
I saw 2 of them (Pyramid, Soldier Field).
Steve Parish on Phil Lesh, after the crash on the way to Houston
I won't repeat the entire story - it's in Steve's book - but basically Steve crashed the gear truck on the drive from Wichita to Texas in November 1972, and somehow he and Sparky not only survived but with Danny Rifkin they pulled all the gear out of the mud, packed it onto a rental truck procured by Rex and Ramrod, and then they all continued on to Houston. The show must go on, right? (What a show - 11/18/72 - not sure if the first set was recorded, but wow, what a second set! Some say it's got the best PITB of all time...)
I don't have permission to reprint this but I do own the book so Steve if you see this I hope it's cool.
------
We set up everything as quickly as we could, and the Dead put on an incredible show, just played their asses off, almost as if they felt they were paying tribute to us. Maybe they were. Later, as I hobbled into my hotel room, exhausted and bruised, I received a visit from Phil Lesh. I'd known Phil to be a very quiet and reserved man. He was one of the more mature members of the group and wasn't inclined to reveal his emotions. On this night, though, I saw a different side of him. As I sat down on my bed and tried to process the events of the day, and suddenly came to the realization that I was remarkably lucky to be alive, the energy rushed out of me like a wave. I was completely and utterly exhausted. I slumped forward on the bed and looked down at my boots, which were caked with slop and dirt.
"Hey, Steve." I looked up and saw Phil standing in the doorway. "Mind if I come in?"
"No, of course not."
Phil walked across the room, leaned over and gave me a hug. "I'm so glad you're alive, man. And I promise you right now -- we're going to change things. You guys are no longer going to drive at night. This just isn't worth it."
With that, this soft-spoken man -- this bass player who was ten years older than me, and whom I respected and admired -- this man whose inherent goodness and warmth were not always visible... he got down on his knees and removed my muddy boots. It was such a genuine display of affection, and so entirely unexpected. I didn't know what to say. Really, all I wanted to do was cry.
He took my boots and placed them in the closet. Then he lifted my legs onto the bed and covered me with a blanket.
"Get some sleep," he said. "Everything will be all right."
Remembering Phil?....
....oh boy, do I.
Unconventional to say the least.
When he decided to drop a bomb or three, he would be sure that you knew it.
Then he would take a step back and observe what he just did.
He knew. I knew. We knew.
Phil lives forever
A few days ago I learned about Phil's Clubhouse sessions and Darkstarathon. What wonderful music! And yesterday I learned about Phil's passing. Today I felt really sad like an era had come to a close. As a medium I know Phil has joined a heavenly orchestra and is playing spontaneous composition with Jerry now. Still I've shed some tears today. Luckily we have the music. I hear Jimi Hendrix sing: Fly on my sweet angel....! I'm sure he does!! May Love and music spread as Phil did during his lifetime!
Obeah's Share is Wonderful
I didn't hear of the passing of Phil until this morning and decided upon 10/18/72 St Louis for my personal memoriam this afternoon. Dark Star in particular- a little hohum for the fist twenty minute or so but somehow Phil got the mojo to feel inspired and take command and lay down his Philo Stomp and then, with what sounds like the band going 'ah, yeah, okay(!).... all yours, Reddy Kilowatt' that veering into a waxy slick Feelin' Groovy Jam. Everyone then jumping into the heartfelt fun with Morning Dew.
But in the past year, it was Phil's playing in the Vol 51 Scranton that really blew me away.
Phil's Bass Lines
Yeah me too I was inspired by Phil's playing on Dave's Picks Vol. 51. After that I checked more of Summer 71 (Road Trips Vol. 1 No 3 and Dicks Picks Vol. 35) and everywhere Phil is going strong..... And if you are interested in classical music, search the internet for what Phil did for unknown British composers....
Thank you Phil
For all the music
and
for your organ donor raps
Saving lives
God bless you
and
God Bless the Grateful Dead
Thank You Phil!
Thank you Phil for all the love and music. Your bass notes will reverberate in my heart and soul forever. Definitely, a hole in our piece of the universe and in my heart. When I heard the news Friday afternoon I knew why I felt so off all day. One of my fav Phil moments, 3-19-95 Spectrum, we were 4th row Phil zone (GDM tickets), it was nearing the end of the 1st set and my hubby Rich said I'm going to hit the bathroom before the set break, and all of a sudden I heard what was being played, and said, oh you're going to go to the bathroom during Unbroken Chain? Obviously he didn't go pee lol. That was the 1st time they did the song, and we heard through the parking lot chatter the next night that Phil said I want to do it in Philly. I found a cd of set 1 of that show made from our audience tape in my car on Friday night and listened to it while out running errands. At almost every show I attended there was a balloon unbroken chain made and passed around the floor of the arena. The roar of the Spectrum crowd at the onset, during, and especially when the song ended was so powerful, still gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes, especially now. YouTube has a video of UBC from that night, and I still have my ticket stub and a couple pics of him we took. Love you Phil, go play with the brothers who left before you. We still here in this dimension will miss you greatly.
My favourite story
I have a friend who went to one of the 72 Lyceum concerts. The audience could get close to the stage at those concerts. Friend felt bass was not quite loud enough so he told Phil he should turn up a little, which Phil acknowledged and did. Trust your audience 😎
Gone to the great 2nd set in the sky...
So glad for all my memories of the Phil Lesh Band, aka the Grateful Dead. Some people play bass, but no one does how Phil does--killer bass (just remembered "Bass Great Lesh Philling" bumper stickers), brilliant vocal harmony, and songwriting for the ages. Making new and meaningful music right to the end. A fave of mine was this summer's Terrapin Clubhouse with Stanley Jordan--Phil's vocal harmonies for Crazy Fingers!
Thank you Phil...for a Real Good Time!
Thank you for the creativity and innovation you brought to music! Thank you for your positive messages! My friends and I loved to dance in front of your side of the stage and hear you play That's it for the Other One- just waiting for you to drop a bomb. The vibrations going through our bodies brought smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts! May the four winds blow you safely home....
Meeting Phil
RIP PHIL LESH
10/25
I played CD2 of Phil and Friends Live at the Warfield as my morning "get ready" music this a.m.
Damn, knew this day would come. The world is a little less now that Phil is gone.
Met him once.
While in NYC, my old roommate called to let me know that my "'69 GD box set" arrived at my old address. I was to meet him in Astor Place and pick up the package.
As I was walking, I noticed the street I was on was pretty deserted.
I looked ahead, and there was this tall blonde haired fellow, with glasses, in a tan leather jacket walking towards me.
It was Phil.
I did my best to contain my excitement.
When we crossed paths, I stopped and said thanks for all the music, this is a dream to run into you. I've got tickets to see you and "your phriends" at the Hammerstein. I said, this is a "dream!"
He looked down at me and said, "Kid, it's all a dream!" and he walked on.
Talk about cosmic. Phil you will be missed!
((((((((((((((((PhilLesh))))))))))))))))
Meeting Phil
RIP PHIL LESH
10/25
I played CD2 of Phil and Friends Live at the Warfield as my morning "get ready" music this a.m.
Damn, knew this day would come. The world is a little less now that Phil is gone.
Met him once.
While in NYC, my old roommate called to let me know that my "'69 GD box set" arrived at my old address. I was to meet him in Astor Place and pick up the package.
As I was walking, I noticed the street I was on was pretty deserted.
I looked ahead, and there was this tall blonde haired fellow, with glasses, in a tan leather jacket walking towards me.
It was Phil.
I did my best to contain my excitement.
When we crossed paths, I stopped and said thanks for all the music, this is a dream to run into you. I've got tickets to see you and "your phriends" at the Hammerstein. I said, this is a "dream!"
He looked down at me and said, "Kid, it's all a dream!" and he walked on.
Talk about cosmic. Phil you will be missed!
((((((((((((((((PhilLesh))))))))))))))))
Remembering Phil
Like every member of the Dead, Phil was an innovator beyond compare. As a lifelong serious musician, I can only wish I had been able to accomplish, for the world, what the Dead has accomplished. Thanks guys, not only for deepening my musical experience, but for enlightening so many of my fellow humans...and maybe a few other-planetary beings too...of the power and grace of Earthly music. You live, in my mind, with the greatest of composers and performers and I'm so glad our time on this planet intersected!
A Musical Legend and Beloved Brother
This is such a beautiful tribute to Phil Lesh. His music and spirit touched so many lives, and it’s clear he was more than just a musician to those who knew him best. His bass lines were like a heartbeat, connecting fans to the music and to each other. His presence will be felt forever in every note of the Grateful Dead’s music. Thank you, Phil, for the memories and the magic. Rest easy, legend.
Phil’s influence is woven into the fabric of music history, and it’s inspiring to see how his bandmates honor that legacy. It’s true—listening to the Grateful Dead keeps a piece of him with us always.
Honoring a Legacy: Inspired Support for Your Academic Journey
Phil Lesh’s life and legacy remind us of the power of passion and purpose—a mission we embrace at Nerdpapers. Just as Phil’s music flowed with depth and meaning, we strive to bring that same dedication to helping students navigate their academic paths. Like Phil, who continuously inspired others, we aim to be a lasting support for students, offering guidance and insights that resonate long after each paper is written. The mark Phil left on the world inspires us to make a meaningful impact every day, helping our community reach new heights. His legacy teaches us that, with the right support, any journey is possible.
Proud to have called Phil my friend.
I was one of the lucky ones. I became friends with Phil and Jill at Terrapin Crossroads. Phil and I would talk about all sorts of things like his favorite Avant Garde classical composer Luciano Berio to why I stopped tripping.
I wrote the following poem for Phil when I learned he had left us.
In Memory of Phil Lesh
We’re born
We live
We laugh
We cry
We love
We grow
We stay
We die
We learn
We earn
We walk
We ride
We rock
We roll
We soothe
Our soul
We try
We dare
We keep
We share
We hope
We pray
We will survive
Every single
touch of gray
We read
We move
We dance
We need
We hurt
We cry
You leave
We grieve
We think of you
We feel the pain
Whenever we hear
Box of Rain
We smile and remember
Our favorite show
On our trip
You helped us grow
So many roads
Have led us here
We’re Terrapin Nation
We will not fear
Though your soul’s
In another place
We’ll never forget
Your smiling face
So thank you Phil
For bombs well played
For TXR
For friendships made
You built a playground
You were so kind
You are so loved
By those left behind
I’ll lay my head
By the water side
When it's time for me
To take that ride
Till the day we meet
down the Golden Road
Where the snow and rain
Isn't cold
And we'll both know
What lies ahead
So thank you Phil
And the Grateful Dead
Thank You…
For a real good time! My time with Phil and his rotating staff of world class musicians, up until the very end with Darkstarathon, was as magical a slice of life as I have ever lived and exceeded every possible expectation I could ever have wished or dreamed for! The Broomfield Incident (02/16/2012) was unparalleled, post Jer. Love, love, love won’t fade away!
Missing Phil
Where to begin? How about the end? We celebrated my daughter's birthday on July 21st in San Rafael and was moved to see Phil still playing with joy in his eyes and a frail version of himself with thinning hair and a radiant smile. Previously we were at the same venue for the Terrapin Turtle Trot and were encouraged to see Grahame working so hard to create a family friendly festival that honored his father and the vast contribution to music that he created. And the music never stopped! Broken Arrow, Box of Rain, Unbroken Chain.... it's all a dream we dreamed one afternoon, long ago. I will always remember Phil, Jill and his family in the family room eating before a show at Terrapin Crossroads. I never wanted to bother Phil during this time and yet felt so close to him so many times as we enjoyed the venue he and Jill created and shared the experience so intimately. Fare thee well, I love you more than words can tell. Tony from Terrapin Physical Therapy