Co-founder and bassist of the legendary rock band dies at the age of 84

Phil Lesh, co-founder and bassist of The Grateful Dead, has died.

The 84-year-old Lesh, a native of Berkeley, California, founded the legendary rock band in 1965 with frontman and guitarist Jerry Garcia, guitarist Bob Weir, keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and drummer Bill Kreutzmann.

Lesh's death was announced on Instagram on Friday.

“Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away peacefully this morning,” the statement said. “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.”

A cause of death was not given.

Before The Grateful Dead, Lesh was in a band from Palo Alto, California called The Warlocks, along with Garcia, McKernan, Weir and Kreutzmann. After finding out that another band had the same name, Garcia changed their name.

As Rolling Stone and other media outlets note, Lesh's bass guitar often served as the band's main sound. He gravitated towards psychedelic vibes and long improvisation sessions.

When The Grateful Dead ended in 1995 after Garcia's death, Lesh played with successor bands The Other Ones and The Dead, as well as with his band Phil Lesh and Friends.

He also played in the band Furthur with Weir.

Lesh, who also sang in The Grateful Dead, co-wrote songs such as “Box of Rain” (1970), “Unbroken Chain” (1974) and “New Potato Caboose” (1968).

Lesh released three Phil Lesh and Friends albums – Love Will See You Through (1999), There and Back Again (2002) and Live at the Warfield (2006).