Phil Lesh, born on March 15, 1940, in Berkeley, California, rose to fame as the bassist of the Grateful Dead for over three decades. His musical journey began with jazz and classical roots, exploring violin and trumpet before diving into avant-garde composition and electronic music under the guidance of Luciano Berio at Mills College. Lesh's unwavering dedication to the Dead's music and meticulous oversight of their recorded archives endeared him to fans, culminating in successful solo endeavors and collaborations post-Grateful Dead era until his passing on October 25, 2024, at the age of 84.

Following the Grateful Dead's dissolution after Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, Phil Lesh embarked on solo projects and reunited with former bandmates Bob Weir and Mickey Hart in the Other Ones. Lesh's health scare in 1998, requiring a liver transplant, led to a global prayer circle and successful surgery, reinforcing his iconic status within the Deadhead community. His subsequent solo and collaborative efforts, including albums like Love Will See You Through and There and Back Again, as well as the establishment of Terrapin Crossroads in San Raphael, California, solidified Lesh's legacy as a pioneering figure in rock music until his passing in 2024.