The Grateful Dead enjoyed an impressive run as one of rock's most beloved live acts. But, bassist Phil Lesh feels like the band spent much of its time together at something less than peak power.
Brian Lesh, son of former Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh, currently plays guitar with his father in their San Rafael, Calif. music venue Terrapin Crossroads. But before that they occasionally jammed together with the late Levon Helm at Helm's famous studio/barn in Woodstock, N.Y., with the last appearance coming in 2010.
What a long, strange trip it's been for Phil Lesh. The legendary bassist -- who will be performing as part of the 2013 Mountain Jam Festival -- started out on violin as a child, later moving to trumpet. His early interest in avant-garde classical music and free jazz provided much of the framework for his subsequent career as one of the most innovative bass players in rock music...