Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, died Friday, a producer who worked with him, Peter Shapiro, confirmed to CBS News. Lesh was 84 years old.
A post on his Instagram account said Lesh "passed peacefully this morning."
"He 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 post said.
One of America's most enduring musical groups, The Grateful Dead was formed as a quintet in California in 1965, according to their official website. Jerry Garcia, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Phil Lesh made up the original band members. They signed to Warner Brothers in late 1966, releasing their self-titled debut later that spring.
The band went on to tour for the next half-decade — an era, the band said was their most creatively fertile. Some members left, some died, and others were added, but the original magic of Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia stayed intact through some of their most tumultuous years. Garcia died in 1995.​
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, dies at 84 - CBS News​
A post on his Instagram account said Lesh "passed peacefully this morning."
"He 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 post said.
One of America's most enduring musical groups, The Grateful Dead was formed as a quintet in California in 1965, according to their official website. Jerry Garcia, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Phil Lesh made up the original band members. They signed to Warner Brothers in late 1966, releasing their self-titled debut later that spring.
The band went on to tour for the next half-decade — an era, the band said was their most creatively fertile. Some members left, some died, and others were added, but the original magic of Phil Lesh and Jerry Garcia stayed intact through some of their most tumultuous years. Garcia died in 1995.​
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, dies at 84 - CBS News​