Phish paid tribute to the late Phil Lesh through the opening night time of their tour on Friday.
Lesh, the co-founder and bassist of Grateful Useless, died earlier this week aged 84. An announcement shared on social media on Friday (October 25) stated that he “handed peacefully” and was “surrounded by his household and full of affection”.
“Phil introduced immense pleasure to everybody round him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you just respect the Lesh household’s privateness presently,” the assertion learn.
Shortly after the information of Lesh’s demise broke, Phish carried out a rendition of ‘Field of Rain’, the bassist’s most influential Grateful Useless tune, in honour of him at their live performance in Albany, New York on Friday.
Earlier within the day, guitarist Trey Anastasio additionally shared a written tribute to Lesh on Instagram. “Phil was greater than a revolutionary, groundbreaking bass participant—he remodeled how I considered music as a teen,” he wrote. “I’ve numerous reminiscences of standing in awe, listening to his winding, eloquent bass traces mixing seamlessly with Jerry and Bobby’s guitars, Brent Mydland’s keys, and the thunderous drums of Billy and Mickey. I’m so grateful for these stunning reminiscences.”
Bassist Mike Gordon additionally took to social media to write down an announcement in honour of Lesh. “It’s onerous to place into phrases the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound affect on all of us,” he wrote. “The Grateful Useless had been uniquely shifting, and I all the time felt Phil’s contribution was on the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was each stunning and unprecedented. Enjoying his bass by way of his rig was a revelation, but nobody might recreate that distinctive sound—it was all in his sonic imaginative and prescient and his fingers.”
“As bass gamers, we stroll a line between holding down the muse and discovering the liberty to be melodic. Nobody embodied this stability like Phil; it was astounding. His taking part in had a mesmerizing energy, and his melodic traces floated like birds dancing by way of infinite clouds and rainbows,” Gordon continued.
“Phil’s classical coaching could have helped him see basslines as intricate counterpoints. Influenced by a wide selection of sources, he spun these inspirations into one thing altogether new – a vibrant, singular artwork kind. His spirituality additionally shone by way of in his music; he usually spoke of music as coming from God, with musicians as conduits. Phil was undoubtedly one of many best conduits ever.”
It’s onerous to place into phrases the depth of our loss, as Phil was a profound affect on all of us. The Grateful Useless had been uniquely shifting, and I all the time felt Phil’s contribution was on the pinnacle of that magic. Phil’s tone was each stunning and unprecedented.
(1/8) pic.twitter.com/FYOCnAPzkM— Mike Gordon (@mike_gordon) October 26, 2024
Most just lately, Phish made headlines by changing into the second act to host a residency on the The Sphere in Las Vegas. They performed a complete of 4 exhibits on the $2.3billion (£1.8billion) dome with an 18,000 capability and 160,000 audio system. It’s full with an LED display that fully wraps round contained in the dome.
In different information, Drew Carey has stated Phish on the Sphere makes U2 “appear like a bar band”.
