Watch Phil Lesh perform ‘Sugar Magnolia’ in final live performance

today is a Day of deep pain and mourning for Deadheads across the planet. Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh has died at the age of 84. “(He) passed away peacefully this morning,” read a statement from his family. “He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves a legacy of music and love. “We request that you respect the privacy of the Lesh family at this time.”

The Grateful Dead bassist had been battling health issues for many years, surviving prostate cancer in 2007 and bladder cancer in 2015. But throughout that time, Lesh never stopped playing music. He celebrated his 84th birthday in March with a series of Phil Lesh and Friends at the Capitol Theater in Porter Chester, New York, headlined a concert at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco on May 9, and then performed at McNears Beach Park in San Rafael, California on July 21. the final concert of Lesh’s life.

The Phil Lesh and Friends McNears Beach concert took place on the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s Hollywood Bowl show on July 21, 1974. And to celebrate the occasion, Lesh, accompanied by drummer John Molo, keyboardist Jason Crosby, the Guitarist and singer Stanley Jordan, vocalist Elliott Peck, guitarist and singer Stu Allen, guitarist and singer Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz and guitarist and singer Grahame Lesh – performed many of the same songs the Dead played that day, adding only “Over The Rainbow” in the mix.

They finished 1970’s “Sugar Magnolia,” a song the Dead played more than 600 times. “We have one more for you before curfew hits,” Lesh told the crowd. “I want to thank you all for coming and joining us here. When you’re at home with nothing to do, check out the Terrapin Clubhouse YouTube channel. We have a lot of music for you and we will be releasing a podcast in the fall.” Then Phil’s son Grahame introduced the band and broke up with his father. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Phil said afterward, “because I get to play with these guys.”

When the group took the stage again on August 18 at McNears Beach Park, Phil Lesh was nowhere to be seen. Sam Grisman, son of longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator David Grisman, played bass instead. It was an ominous sign, but fans knew little about Lesh’s dire state of health until it was revealed that he had died.

Lesh put together about 18 different lives in his 84 years on this planet. He’s visibly quite frail in this video from his latest show, but his playing is still exquisite. Hopefully the group will continue with Grahame Lesh and Sam Grisman at the helm. As we learned after García’s death in 1995, this music is bigger than any one person. Will live forever.