Phil Lesh

            Phil Lesh never dreamed that he would become a founding member of one of the most influential rock bands of all time.  Growing up as a classical and jazz trumpet player, Lesh met Jerry Garcia while he was in college.  He was eventually talked into being the bass player in Garcia’s new band.

            Due to the fact that Phil Lesh had never played bass, his unique style was built from his classical and jazz background, not the typical rock and roll sound.  He was not a main writer for the band, but his song "Box of Rain" is a favorite of the band and the fans.

            In 1998, Lesh received a liver transplant after many years of heavy drinking.  The experience totally enlightened him.  He began speaking as an advocate for organ donation and started The Donor Zone, a group that informs people on how to become a donor.  He has made a short announcement about organ donation at practically every show he’s played since his surgery.

            He also started the Unbroken Chain Foundation.  It is an organization that raises and donates money to groups that perform community service.  These groups are often very poorly funded even though they’re benefiting their communities.  The UBC was founded to help these groups stay afloat and continue to help their towns.

            After Garcia’s death in 2005, Lesh founded his solo band, Phil Lesh & Friends.  Phil’s so-called "friends" included rock legends Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring, both of whom have played with the Allman Brothers Band.   (After Garcia’s death, Herring actually took over the role of lead guitar to round out the Dead.)  Phil & Friends recorded one album that had some success in 2002.  Their sound is similar to the Grateful Dead but adds the perfect amount of Southern Rock influence from Haynes and Herring.