Phil Lesh – bassist and founding member of the iconic rock band Grateful Dead –He passed away on Friday, just days after the legendary band received a touching honour.

Lesh’s death was confirmed on his official Instagram page on Friday morning, which reported that he died ‘peacefully’ at the age of 84.

‘He was surrounded by his family and full of love. The announcement on social media stated that Phil brought great joy to everyone around him and left behind a legacy of music and love. ‘We ask that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time.’

While the official cause of death has not been announced, Associated Press The Berkeley, California native is reported to have survived prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a liver transplant in 1998, brought on by a hepatitis C infection and years of excessive alcohol consumption.

The sad news comes just days after it was announced that members of the Grateful Dead were named the 2025 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Grateful Dead bassist and co-founder Phil Lesh passed away ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family on Friday morning, October 25, at the age of 84

A few days ago, it was announced that Lesh’s legendary band, the Grateful Dead, would be honored as the 2025 MusiCares Person of the Year at a ceremony to be held on January 31, 2025.

The nonprofit organization, which assists music professionals in need of financial, personal or medical assistance, will recognize original members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Bobby Weir and Lesh for their philanthropic efforts as well as their impact on American music in their 60s. anniversary.

The group will be honored at the 34th annual People of the Year benefit gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center on January 31, two days before the 2025 Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles.

Born out of the counterculture movement in the Saan Francisco area of ​​the 1960s, the band has long been known for its eclectic style and sound spanning a variety of musical genres, as well as its loyal fan base known as ‘Deadheads’. .’

“Their legacy transcends music, building a community of fans and collaborators who embody a spirit of connection and support that is deeply aligned with MusiCares’ mission,” said Executive Director Laura Segura. MusiCares.

Segura added: ‘The group’s passion for the arts and philanthropy, and their enduring commitment to social causes, have created a lasting impact that extends beyond the stage. It is a privilege to celebrate their contributions to both music and humanity.’

The upcoming special night will also feature a tribute to the late Jerry Garcia, the band’s primary songwriter, lead guitarist, and vocalist for the Grateful Dead throughout the band’s journey until his death in August 1995 at the age of 53.

The late San Francisco native died of a heart attack in his room at a rehab facility after enduring a long struggle with substance abuse, including heroin addiction.

The Grateful Dead would later disband and launch a number of side projects over the following years and decades.

News of Lesh’s passing comes just days after it was announced that he and Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann would be honored as 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

Original Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann (all filmed in 2017), and Phil Lesh will be recognized for their tremendous contributions to music, tireless philanthropic efforts, and activism.

Lesh played with the Grateful Dead throughout their entire run until their disbandment in 1995.

Known for their eclectic style, the band rose to prominence during the counterculture era of the mid-1960s and continued to create their own unique sound by combining elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass, gospel, reggae, world music, and rock. psychedelia and rock and roll.

The Deadheads would become famous for their improvisations during their live concerts, better known among musicians as jamming, earning them the distinction of being known as the ‘pioneering godfathers of the jam world’.

Based in the San Francisco Bay area, original members included Jerry Garcia (lead guitar and vocals), Bob Weir (rhythm guitar and vocals), Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan (keyboards, harmonica and vocals), Phil Lesch (bass and vocals). and Bill Kreutzmann (drums).

The Grateful Dead emerged from the counterculture movement in San Francisco in the mid-1960s.

The band released 13 studio albums and nine contemporary live albums between 1967 and 1990.

There was a carousel of musicians who played with the band throughout its life; these included Mickey Hart (drummer joined 1967) and Robert Hunter (non-performing songwriter joined 1967), and official members Tom Constanten (keyboards from 1968). -1970), John Perry Barlow (non-performing songwriter from 1971 to 1995), Keith Godchaux (keyboards and occasional vocals from 1971 to 1979), Donna Godchaux (vocals from 1972 to 1979) , Brent Mydland (keyboards and vocals from 1979 to 1990) and Vince Welnick (keyboards and vocals from 1990 to 1995).

Not considered a singles or hit singing group, The Grateful Dead would become better known for their extended jammy concerts and recording career of 13 studio albums and nine contemporary live albums.

In 2007, the band was awarded the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award for their unique contributions to the music industry.

Although an official cause of death has not been released, The Associated Press reports that Lesh, a Berkeley, California native, survived prostate cancer, bladder cancer and a liver transplant in 1998, brought on by a hepatitis C infection and years of excessive alcohol consumption.

Beyond their musical achievements, band members Garcia, Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh, and Weir have made significant contributions to philanthropic causes such as environmental protection, mental health, music education, and social justice.

Some of the initiatives they’ve supported over the years include Garcia’s involvement with the Rex Foundation, Hart’s work in music therapy and brain health, Weir’s advocacy to address climate change and fight poverty, Kreutzmann’s ocean conservation efforts, and Lesh’s Unbroken Chain Foundation was located.

Founded in 1989 and established by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1993, the MusiCares Foundation was created to provide a place for musicians to turn to in times of financial and personal hardship, as well as medical issues.

MusiCares has distributed more than $48 million to artists in need since 1989.