Phil Lesh, founder of the Grateful Dead, dies at the age of 84 | News, sports, work

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Phil Lesh, a classically trained jazz violinist and trumpeter who found his true calling in reinventing the role of the rock bass guitar as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died Friday at age 84.

Lesh’s death was announced on his Instagram account. Lesh was the oldest and one of the longest-living members of the band that defined the sound of acid rock emerging from San Francisco in the 1960s.

“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by family and full of love. “Phil brought immense joy to those around him and left behind a legacy of music and love,” a statement on Instagram read in part.

The statement did not provide a specific cause of death, and attempts to contact officials for additional details were not immediately successful. Lesh had previously survived bouts with prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a liver transplant in 1998, brought on by the debilitating effects of a hepatitis C infection and years of heavy drinking.

Lesh’s death comes two days after MusiCares named the Grateful Dead Person of the Year. MusiCares, which helps music professionals in need of financial and other assistance, cited the Lesh Unbroken Chain Foundation among its other philanthropic initiatives. The Dead will be honored in January at a pre-Grammy benefit gala in Los Angeles.

Although he maintained a relatively low public profile and rarely gave interviews or spoke to audiences, fans and other band members recognized Lesh as a key member of the Grateful Dead.

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