At 84, the bassist and co-founder of American rock died band “The Grateful Dead” Phil Lesh, reported by NOVA.
In the musician's official account on Instagram, it is said that he “passed away peacefully this morning” surrounded by his family. The group, which formed in California in 1965, disbanded 30 years later after the death of frontman Jerry Garcia. Lesh has been with them since the beginning - and also joined the remaining surviving band members for the US reunion tour in 2003 and for the final run of shows in 2015.
Lesh's Instagram account says he "brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love". "We ask that you respect the privacy of the Lesch family at this time,”, the message also said.
With their signature blend of rock, folk and jazz, “The Grateful Dead” are probably one of the most influential bands in American history and wrote the soundtrack for the counterculture generation of the 1960s.
Lesch was born in Berkeley, California, in 1940. He began playing violin, then switched to trumpet and later to bass guitar when he joined the band in 1965. Over the next three decades, the improvisational his skills complement the melodies of lead guitarist Jerry Garcia and bandmates Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Ron “Pigpen“ McKernan. He is best known for the song “Unbroken Chain”, dedicated to the band's relationship with its audience. Lesh also sings the sad Box Of Rain, which he wrote while his father was dying.
Loyal fans, known as “Deadheads”, often follow the band from city to city across the US to hear them play packed concerts. Despite their massive following, the band only had one US top 10 hit - “Touch of Grey” in 1987