Social media tributes pay homage to Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh

There was an outpouring of sadness and gratitude across the Bay Area and around the world on Friday as musicians and music fans paid tribute to founding Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, who died at age 84.

A post on his Instagram account said the musician “passed away peacefully this morning.”

The official X account of Lesh's late bandmate Jerry Garcia and his estate posted a heartfelt tribute to the bassist.

“We are devastated to learn of Phil’s transition to the next life. We will miss his sharp, dry humor, his wry smile and his brilliant insights. Our hearts and love go out to his beloved wife and family. He truly lived for her with everything he had. “Being,” reads a message attributed to the Garcia family and posted with two photos of the two friends.

“PS: Hello to Jerry,” the post added.

Progressive bluegrass group Infamous Stringdusters also paid homage on X.

“He was always so kind and welcomed us into the Terrapin group with open arms. His influence on us and music as a whole cannot be overstated. We will miss him gratefully,” the post says.

Chuck D of the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy acknowledged this with a skit and a simple sentence: “Phil Lesh kept it going.”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed paid tribute to the bassist on X.

“Phil Lesh was more than a bassist – he was a San Francisco icon who defined an era and shaped the world of music,” Breed wrote. She also noted that City Hall would be lit in Lesh's honor Friday evening.

The San Francisco Giants wrote about Lesh, calling him “a true San Francisco legend and a valued part of our #SFGiants family. His unforgettable music and presence at Oracle Park will live on forever.”

There were also tributes from venues around the country where the Grateful Dead and Lesh had performed with his own group Phil and Friends, including Madison Square Garden in New York. As a tribute, the Empire State Building was even resplendent in tie-dye colors.