Grateful Dead founding member and bassist Phil Lesh dies at 84

Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh, who became an icon on bass guitar, died on Friday at the age of 84, his team announced on social media.

Lesh, who has survived prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and Hepatitis C, was the oldest member of the band and was one of the last surviving members. The Grateful Dead cultivated a devoted following in the 1960s known as the "Dead Heads."

No specific cause of death was disclosed, but the bassist was surrounded by his loved ones, his team said in a post to Instagram. Lesh is survived by his wife, Jill, and sons Brian and Grahame.

"Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed peacefully this morning," the post said. "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 rocker's passing comes two days after the company MusicCares named the Grateful Dead its Persons of the Year, and cited Lesh's philanthropy, through his Unbroken Chain Foundation, as part of the reason. The band will be officially recognized at a gala in Los Angeles in January, according to the Associated Press.

Lesh was also a classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter, and listed jazz legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis among his musical influences. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.