Phil Lesh: Grateful Dead co-founder dies aged 84

Lesh’s Instagram account said that he “brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time.”

With a distinctive trippy blend of rock, folk, and jazz, The Grateful Dead are arguably one of the most influential bands in American history, and wrote the soundtrack for the countercultural generation of the sixties.

The bassist was an original member of the band alongside Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzman and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan.

He was best known for the song Unbroken Chain, about the band’s connection with its audience.

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

Their loyal fans, known as “Deadheads”, would often follow the band from city to city across the US to hear them play.

Although the cause of Lesh’s death is unknown, he had a series of health issues over the years.

In 2015, he announced he was being treated for bladder cancer in the US. Nine years before that he had surgery for prostate cancer and made a full recovery.

He also underwent a liver transplant in 1998.