Phish paid tribute to the late Phil Lesh during the opening night of their tour on Friday.
Lesh, the co-founder and bassist of Grateful Dead, died earlier this week aged 84. A statement shared on social media on Friday (October 25) said that he “passed peacefully” and was “surrounded by his family and full of love”.
“Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time,” the statement read.
Shortly after the news of Lesh’s death broke, Phish performed a rendition of ‘Box of Rain’, the bassist’s most influential Grateful Dead song, in honour of him at their concert in Albany, New York on Friday.
Earlier in the day, guitarist Trey Anastasio also shared a written tribute to Lesh on Instagram. “Phil was more than a revolutionary, groundbreaking bass player—he transformed how I thought about music as a teenager,” he wrote. “I have countless memories of standing in awe, listening to his winding, eloquent bass lines blending seamlessly with Jerry and Bobby’s guitars, Brent Mydland’s keys, and the thunderous drums of Billy and Mickey. I’m so grateful for those beautiful memories.”
Bassist Mike Gordon also took to social media to write a statement in honour of Lesh. “It’s hard to put into words the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound influence on all of us,” he wrote. “The Grateful Dead were uniquely moving, and I always felt Phil’s contribution was at the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was both beautiful and unprecedented. Playing his bass through his rig was a revelation, yet no one could recreate that unique sound—it was all in his sonic vision and his fingers.”
“As bass players, we walk a line between holding down the foundation and finding the freedom to be melodic. No one embodied this balance like Phil; it was astounding. His playing had a mesmerizing power, and his melodic lines floated like birds dancing through endless clouds and rainbows,” Gordon continued.
“Phil’s classical training may have helped him see basslines as intricate counterpoints. Influenced by a wide array of sources, he spun these inspirations into something altogether new – a vibrant, singular art form. His spirituality also shone through in his music; he often spoke of music as coming from God, with musicians as conduits. Phil was undoubtedly one of the greatest conduits ever.”
It’s hard to put into words the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound influence on all of us. The Grateful Dead were uniquely moving, and I always felt Phil’s contribution was at the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was both beautiful and unprecedented.
(1/8) pic.twitter.com/FYOCnAPzkM
— Mike Gordon (@mike_gordon) October 26, 2024
Most recently, Phish made headlines by becoming the second act to host a residency at the The Sphere in Las Vegas. They played a total of four shows at the $2.3billion (£1.8billion) dome with an 18,000 capacity and 160,000 speakers. It’s complete with an LED screen that completely wraps around inside the dome.
In other news, Drew Carey has said Phish at the Sphere makes U2 “look like a bar band”.
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