Grateful Dead founding member and bassist Phil Lesh passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of music and love. Lesh, a California native, was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where he started his musical journey by learning to play the classical violin before switching to the trumpet. He met Jerry Garcia in 1959 and eventually became the bassist for The Warlocks, which later changed its name to the Grateful Dead. The band fused rock, jazz, and folk, becoming one of the most influential bands in American history. Lesh was known for redefining the sound of the bass and heavily influencing the Grateful Dead’s sound. After the band dissolved, Lesh continued to play with his own group, Phil and Friends, in the Bay Area. Lesh is remembered as a San Francisco icon who helped shape the world of music. Cities and venues paid tribute to his legacy by lighting up in his honor, and fellow musicians and fans expressed their gratitude and condolences on social media. Lesh is survived by his wife, Jill, and their two sons, Grahame and Brian.
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