CNN —
Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of iconic rock band
Grateful Dead, has died. He was 84.
The news was announced on Lesh’s
verified Instagram on Friday, which said he died “peacefully” on Friday morning.
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Although mostly known for his legendary and freestyle bass playing, Lesh composed music for some of the band’s most beloved songs, and also occasionally provided vocals. Among those tracks were “Pride of Cucamonga,” “Unbroken Chain” and “Box of Rain.”
In 2002, Lesh along with Weir observed what it felt like for the history-making group to perform onstage.
“It’s when the pipeline is open, and that eternal moment – as he is describing – which is where music really lives, is open to us and we become the vessel to which that passes, so in a way music is about bringing eternity to time,” Lesh told CNN at the time, in response to Weir’s remarks.
The band became known for its legendary live performances, blazing the trail for other popular groups to follow, like Phish.
