For free, real-time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our breaking news emails

Sign up for our free breaking news emails

Grateful Dead stars Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir have praised their former bandmate and “brother” Phil Lesh for changing their lives.

The bassist, who was a founding member of the US rock band alongside Weir, Kreutzmann, Jerry Garcia and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, died on Friday at the age of 84 surrounded by his family.

The group became known for their fusion of genres such as rock, jazz and folk, contributing to the countercultural generation of the 1960s.

“Phil Lesh was my brother. Not related by blood, but family,” Kreutzmann wrote on Instagram next to a photo of the couple from their youth.

“I've heard so many of you say that the Grateful Dead changed your life. Yeah, well… Phil Lesh changed mine.

“Phil introduced me to John Coltrane. In the early days of our friendship, he wasn't just like a brother to me – he was like an older brother. A roommate. A bandmate. A mentor.”

He continued by reflecting that lifelong friendships and family relationships are “complicated and dynamic” but will “ultimately stand the test of time.”

“So keep only the good memories because they are the only ones that matter. I will do that. Because love is real and it doesn’t fade,” he added.

“Thanks, Phil. I'm going to miss you, damn it.

Weir posted a collection of photos on Instagram from his performances on stage with Lesh over the years, while also reflecting on how his late bandmate in the John Coltrane Quartet influenced him.

He revealed that Lesh had introduced the group to the “wonders of modern classical music” and said their discussion of the genre had helped him “grow”.

“At the same time as all of this, there was an ongoing conversation about the things (ideas) we present outside of music and the impact they would have on shaping the world around us – let's just say Phil wasn't special reluctant to ruffle a few feathers,” he added.

“We had our differences, of course, but it is not trivial to say that this only made our collaboration more meaningful.

“Our conversation and interaction will last at least until the end of my days.”

Weird ended his tribute by saying, “In the meantime, I rejoice in his deliverance, as death is the final and best reward for a life *well and fully lived*.”

A statement posted to Lesh's Instagram on Friday said: “Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away peacefully this morning. He was surrounded by his family and full of love.

“Phil brought great joy to everyone around him and leaves a legacy full of music and love. We ask that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time.”

He became best known for the song “Unbroken Chain,” which is about the counterculture band’s connection to its audience.

Lesh also sang the wistful Box Of Rain, which he wrote while his father was dying.

He revealed in 2006 that he had prostate cancer and received a liver transplant in 1998 after a hepatitis infection.

The Grateful Dead disbanded after singer Jerry Garcia died in a drug rehabilitation clinic in 1995 at the age of 53.

Other members who died include Brent Mydland in 1990 from a drug overdose, McKernan in 1973 from liver disease, and Keith Godchaux in a car accident in 1980 after leaving the group.

Lesh also toured with the band's spin-off groups, including Other Ones, The Dead and Furthur and his own group Phil Lesh and Friends.

On Wednesday, music foundation MusiCares announced that it would recognize Lesh, along with other former members such as Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and Weir, as 2025 Persons of the Year for their charity and campaign work.

Kreutzmann said Lesh and the other members would be attending the 34th annual Persons of the Year benefit gala to celebrate their 60th anniversary and pay tribute to Garcia.