Phish: a live tribute to Phil Lesh. Watch the video
THE Phish were regarded as their generation’s successor to the godfathers of jam bands, i Grateful Deadbut the quartet led by Trey Anastasio he rarely performed the latter’s music in concert during his more than 40-year career.
That is until a few days ago, when Phish opened their show in Albany, NY with a cover of “Box of Rain” by the Dead in honor of their bassist and composer, Phil Leshwho passed away last October 25th, a few hours earlier, at the age of 84 (Read here).
“Box of Rain” is a 1970 song by Robert Hunter and Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead’s album “America Beauty”.
Trey Anastasio has played with Lesh frequently over the past three decades and hailed him in an Instagram post as “more than a revolutionary and innovative bassist – he transformed the way I thought about music as a teenager. I have countless memories of being blown away , listening to his sinuous, eloquent bass lines that blended seamlessly with Jerry and Bobby’s guitars, Brent Mydland’s keyboards, and Billy and Mickey’s thunderous drums. I’m so grateful for those beautiful memories.”
Phish bassist Mike Gordon added his memories, recalling a first meeting in 1999, when Anastasio and the Phish keyboardist Page McConnell sthey played with Lesh during a three-night performance at the Warfield in San Francisco.
“We didn’t know each other, but I asked him if he wanted to have lunch with me, and the restaurant even printed menus that said ‘Bass Player’s Luncheon,'” Gordon wrote on Instagram. “That week, and many times since then, we have had the opportunity to collaborate and philosophize together.”
Later in 1999, he joined Phish on stage at the Shoreline (Amphitheatre) and I had the privilege of playing bass with him on ‘Box of Rain‘ for his 60th birthday. These moments changed my life. Earlier this year, we met before a show at the Capitol Theater (in Port Chester, NY) and I asked him if he had any regrets. He said no, that everything had worked out as the universe intended.” “He also told me that he believes the music of the Grateful Dead will last for centuries. I believe Phil’s contributions to that legacy will endure, inspiring generations to come. We will remember him and his influence will live on in all of us.”
According to Setlist.fm, Phish hadn’t performed a Dead cover since a 2016 show in Nashville, during which Bob Weir, the group’s guitarist, joined them on “West THE.TO. Fadeaway” And “Playing in the Bands“.
Watch the video
https://youtu.be/PofMFlw8MJI
