Phil was the only member of the Dead I met in person. I got an autograph and a handshake during his book signing tour. He learned to play bass to join the Dead and came up with his own unique approach, influenced by his classical and avant garde music studies.
Outside of the Grateful Dead, I caught Phil Lesh & Friends many times. He had a rotating cast of friends, but the best lineup was referred to as the Phil Lesh Quintet: Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring on guitars, Rob Barraco on keys, and John Molo on drums. This show from 2000 at The Riv in Chicago is a personal favorite
Phil’s book Searching for the Sound is fantastic. I read it back in college instead of paying attention during accounting class
He has some of my favorite moments in The Grateful Dead Movie during the sound check and behind the scenes moments. When the camera causes feedback with his bass and he just rolls with it, and invites the cameraman to take part in this spontaneous moment of collaboration - no matter the result, it’s the actual moment that is purely magical.
Phil had to have a liver transplant at one point. It literally saved his life. After that happened he became a huge supporter for organ donation and would speak at his shows about how an organ donor is the only reason he was stayed alive. I have so much respect for him talking about this and encouraging others to consider being organ donors. That’s a big deal right there. His willingness to share from the heart has saved lives
I also really love his sarcastic “Thanks, Mom!” right after the band finished Mama Tried at Cornell 5/8/77! He always seemed to be the most serious member of the band and yet he could flip that around and suddenly be the biggest joker of the bunch
That was a great lineup. The Phil & Phriends shows in 1999 with Steve Kimock plus Trey and Page of Phish were pretty awesome. I somehow lucked into last minute tickets for each night from my second cousin who I barely knew. Imagine how good they would have been if they had toured for awhile…
Between the GD and Phil & Friends, I probably saw him perform over 200 times. Last time was pre-2021, IIRC, because he switched from playing NYC to Port Chester (just too long a trip for me, in Brooklyn with no car).
It is such an odd feeling to feel a personal loss for someone you never even met. He made it to age 84 and was playing right up to the end. A life worth celebrating.
