Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead Has Bladder Cancer

Phil Lesh, the bassist for the Grateful Dead, has bladder cancer. He is currently undergoing treatment in Scottsdale, Ariz., and expects to make a full recovery.

Lesh disclosed the news on the Facebook page for Terrapin Crossroads, the restaurant and concert venue he owns in San Rafael, Calif. This is Lesh's second battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006.

He wrote:

I am sorry to let you know that I will need to cancel the October 24th and 25th Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson.

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, and have spent the last few weeks at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale doing tests and eventually surgery to remove the tumors. I am very fortunate to have the pathology reports show that the tumors are all non-aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread.

So thanks to my local doctor Cliff Sewell, and the incredible team at the Mayo Clinic, all is well and I can return to normal activities in two weeks from my surgery.

Unfortunately, that means I will have to cancel the PLF shows scheduled for Oct 24/25. We will reschedule these shows as soon as we can, but in the meantime, keep a lookout for a free Grate Room show before I leave for the East Coast shows. I also plan to pop in and jam in the bar before we leave, so I hope to see you there at Terrapin.

Lesh founded the Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia in 1965. Although he participated in the band's Fare Thee Well shows this summer, he is the lone holdout among the surviving members for the Dead & Company tour with John Mayer that will begin later this month.

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