Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh dies as family say he ‘passed peacefully’

Legendary musician Phil Lesh has sadly passed away today, his family have confirmed. The bassist of The Grateful Dead died aged 84 on Friday, October 25.

His family confirmed the musician's death in a statement. They revealed they were with him during his final moments.

The sad news was officially announced on Phil's Instagram account on Friday, with a statement reading: "Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead passed peacefully this morning.

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"He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music & love.

"We request that you respect the Lesh family's privacy at this time." Phil was a founding member of the Grateful Dead and is survive be his wife Jill.

Tributes have started to pour in for the music legend online, One fan wrote: "Thank you Phil. Say hi to Jerry for me," referencing the late Grateful Dead lead vocalist Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995.Another said: "Rest in Peace Phil, so incredibly grateful for you! May the four winds blow you safely home."

Born in Berkley, California, in 1940, Phil was the oldest member of the band. After the band's disbanding in 1995, Lesh continued the tradition of Grateful Dead family music with side project Phil Lesh and Friends, which paid homage to the Dead's music by playing their repertoire, as well songs of the members of his own group.

Phil was talked into becoming the bassist for Jerry's new rock band (then known as The Warlocks) in the fall of 1964. This was a peculiar turn of events, as Lesh had never played bass before.

His cause of death is yet to be confirmed. Phil had faced several health battles in his life.

In 1998, he underwent a liver transplant as a result of chronic hepatitis C infection and became an outspoken advocate for organ donor programs. In 2006, Phil released a statement on his official website revealing that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer—the disease that killed his father.

He underwent an operation in December 2006 to have it removed.