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Dead and Company concluded their first weekend back at Las Vegas’ Sphere with a heartfelt performance dedicated to the late Phil Lesh, featuring the poignant song “Box of Rain,” a hallmark of the Grateful Dead bassist’s legacy.
This performance was particularly significant as it was the first time the ensemble played the American Beauty classic following Lesh’s passing. John Mayer took the lead on the track, while the band’s iconic history was illustrated through archival photographs displayed on the Sphere’s expansive screen.
Phil Lesh, who co-founded the legendary Grateful Dead, passed away in October 2024 at the age of 84. In a statement after his death, fellow band member Bob Weir reflected on the profound impact of loss, stating, “The Muse gives us the people and tools to work with. Where we go with that work emerges from somewhere between our intuition and her inspiration.” He embraced the notion that “death is the last and best reward for a life well and fully lived,” expressing gratitude for Lesh’s release from suffering.
The remaining members of the Grateful Dead—Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann—shared their sentiments, emphasizing that Lesh was “irreplaceable.” They noted that his musical contributions were transcendent, describing his bass playing as flowing “like a river.” They celebrated his adventurous spirit, stating, “He was an explorer of inner and outer space who just happened to play bass,” acknowledging his unique ability to navigate uncharted musical territories.
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In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Weir reminisced about his final conversation with Lesh, which took place shortly before the bassist’s death. The call was primarily to discuss the band’s recognition at the Kennedy Center and the possibility of reuniting to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. “The last phone call I had from him was when the news came out that we were being honored at the Kennedy Center,” Weir recalled.
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www.rollingstone.com