History of Phil Lesh in Timeline

Philip Chapman Lesh is an American musician widely recognized as the bassist for the Grateful Dead, a renowned rock band he co-founded and performed with for three decades.

March 15, 1940: Birth of Phil Lesh

Phil Chapman Lesh was born on March 15, 1940.

1961: Lesh Attends College and Meets Future Collaborators

In 1961, Phil Lesh enrolled at the College of San Mateo, where he wrote music for the college's big band. He then transferred to UC Berkeley and befriended Tom Constanten, who would later become the keyboardist for the Grateful Dead. He dropped out of UC Berkeley after less than a semester.

1962: Lesh Studies Under Luciano Berio

At the urging of Tom Constanten, Phil Lesh studied under Italian modernist composer Luciano Berio in a graduate-level course at Mills College in 1962.

1964: Lesh Joins The Warlocks (Soon to be the Grateful Dead)

In the fall of 1964, despite having never played bass before, Phil Lesh joined Jerry Garcia's rock band, then known as The Warlocks, which would later become the Grateful Dead.

1970: Lesh Contributes High Harmonies

Throughout 1970, Lesh consistently sang high harmonies in Grateful Dead songs, including "Ramble on Rose", "Brown Eyed Women", "Viola Lee Blues", "Truckin'", and "U.S. Blues".

1971: Lesh Contributes High Harmonies

Throughout 1971, Lesh consistently sang high harmonies in Grateful Dead songs, including "Ramble on Rose", "Brown Eyed Women", "Viola Lee Blues", "Truckin'", and "U.S. Blues".

1972: Lesh Contributes High Harmonies

Throughout 1972, Lesh consistently sang high harmonies in Grateful Dead songs, including "Ramble on Rose", "Brown Eyed Women", "Viola Lee Blues", "Truckin'", and "U.S. Blues".

1973: Lesh's Vocal Cord Issues Begin

In early 1973, Lesh continued his high harmony contributions. However, by the middle of the year, his vocal cords began to give him trouble, and his voice cracking can be heard on some recordings from this time.

1974: Lesh's Vocal Cord Damage and Shift in Singing Role

Due to vocal cord damage from improper technique, Phil Lesh mostly stopped singing high harmonies in the Grateful Dead in 1974. His role was filled by Donna Godchaux, and later Brent Mydland and Vince Welnick.

1985: Lesh Returns to Lead Vocals

Phil Lesh returned to singing lead vocals on select songs as a baritone in 1985.

1994: Grateful Dead Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1994, Phil Lesh, as a member of the Grateful Dead, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1995: Grateful Dead Disbands, Phil Lesh and Friends Forms

In 1995, the Grateful Dead disbanded. Following this, Phil Lesh formed the side project Phil Lesh and Friends, playing Grateful Dead songs and original music.

1997: Philharmonia Benefit Concert Begins

The annual Philharmonia benefit concert, featuring Phil Lesh and his sons, Grahame and Brian, began in 1997.

1998: Lesh Undergoes Liver Transplant, Becomes Advocate for Organ Donation

Phil Lesh underwent a liver transplant in 1998 due to chronic hepatitis C. He has since become a strong advocate for organ donor programs, encouraging concert audiences to become donors.

1999: Lesh Co-headlines Tours with Bob Dylan

Phil Lesh co-headlined two tours with Bob Dylan in 1999 and 2000.

2000: Lesh Co-headlines Tours with Bob Dylan

Phil Lesh co-headlined two tours with Bob Dylan in 1999 and 2000.

April 2005: Release of "Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead"

Phil Lesh's book, "Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead," was published in April 2005.

October 26, 2006: Phil Lesh Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

On October 26, 2006, Phil Lesh publicly shared that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the same disease that had affected his father.

December 7, 2006: Successful Prostate Surgery for Phil Lesh

On December 7, 2006, Lesh announced he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer and the procedure was successful in removing the cancer.

December 2006: Phil Lesh's Prostate Surgery

In December 2006, Phil Lesh underwent surgery to address his prostate cancer diagnosis.

September 2009: Debut of Furthur

Phil Lesh, along with Bob Weir, formed a new band called Furthur. They debuted the band in September 2009.

2009: Formation of Furthur

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, former bandmates from the Grateful Dead, came together to form the band Furthur in 2009.

December 18, 2011: Philharmonia Benefit Concert

On December 18, 2011, Phil Lesh performed with his sons, Grahame and Brian, as well as Bob Weir and Jackie Greene at a Philharmonia benefit concert at the Tenderloin Middle School cafeteria.

March 8, 2012: Terrapin Crossroads Opens its Doors

March 8, 2012, marked the grand opening of Terrapin Crossroads, a music venue founded by Phil Lesh, in San Rafael, California. The venue was inaugurated with a series of twelve concerts by Phil Lesh and Friends.

2012: Phil Lesh Returns to Performing

In 2012, Phil Lesh returned to performing with Phil Lesh and Friends.

2014: Lesh Scales Back Touring, Continues with Family Band

Phil Lesh reduced his touring schedule in 2014 but carried on performing with his family band, which included Phil, Cory, Heidi, and Joseph Lesh.

2014: Furthur Disbands, Lesh Reduces Touring

Phil Lesh's band, Furthur, disbanded in early 2014. At the age of 74, Lesh decided to cease full-time touring.

October 2015: Lesh Undergoes Bladder Cancer Surgery

In October 2015, Phil Lesh announced that he had undergone surgery for bladder cancer. He expressed optimism about his prognosis and anticipated a full recovery.

2015: Release of Bill Kreutzmann's Memoir

Bill Kreutzmann, the drummer for the Grateful Dead, released his memoir, "Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead," in 2015.

2015: Fare Thee Well Concerts

Phil Lesh participated in the "Fare Thee Well" concerts in 2015.

2018: Lesh and Weir Tour North America

In the spring of 2018, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir embarked on a tour together across North America.

August 2019: Back Surgery Leads to Cancellations

Phil Lesh announced in August 2019 that he would be undergoing back surgery. Due to the procedure, he and his band had to cancel their scheduled appearances at the Outlaw Music Festival, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, and Dirt Farmers Festival. A full recovery was expected.