Who was Phil Lesh married to? All about his wife and kids as Grateful Dead co-founder dies aged 84

Phil Lesh, co-founder of the rock band The Grateful Dead, died at the age of 84. The news was confirmed in an Instagram post shared on the rockstar's profile on Friday, October 25, 2024, adding he died peacefully surrounded by his family. The message continued:

"Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We request that you respect the Lesh family’s privacy at this time."

Lesh Played bass guitar throughout The Grateful Dead's 30-year run. Following its disbanding, he continued making music with his other bands and touring. Some of his best songs include Unbroken Chain, Truckin’, and Box of Rain.

Lesh married Jill Lesh, who served as his manager. They share two kids, Grahame and Brian, both bosting a career in music.

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Grahame and Brian frequently performed with their father's band, Phil Lesh and Friends

According to an October 2024 article by Mahamana News, Phil met his future wife, Jill, at a café in Berkeley, California, where she worked as a server. They have two sons, Grahame and Brian, both of whom are musicians. Although the couple has kept their romance private, Jill has been instrumental in Phil's career, particularly after the Grateful Dead disbanded, managing his finances and concert schedules.

According to a June 2024 article by the Marin Independent Journal, Grahame holds a degree in music from Standford University. He has since formed his band Midnight North. He plays a guitar and is a singer and songwriter.

Grahame also performs with the Terrapin Family Band and his father's Phil Lesh and Friends (started after Grateful Dead disbanded and features a changing act).

The couple opened a restaurant, Terrapin Crossroads, in San Rafael (northern Bay Area) in 2012. According to a November 2021 article by Datebook, the establishment was founded as a way for Phil Lesh and his Grateful Dead community (called Deadheads) to connect. The musician frequently dropped by the restaurant, both announced and unannounced, to perform sets.

Terrapin Crossroads closed its doors in November 2021. However, at the time, the couple shared a message on the venue's website reading:

"While Terrapin’s time at its current location may be coming to a close, we know that Terrapin Crossroads was never a location — it was a community. We hope to see you all soon, in some form, somewhere down the road."

Before it closed, Grahame and Brian frequently joined their father playing at the venue. It even featured an in-house band, The Terrapin Family Band, of which Grahame is a part. The group continued even after the restaurant shut down.

Per the Marin Independent Journal, Terrapin Crossroads eventually returned in the form of outdoor summer festivals called Terrapin Crossroads Presents: Sunday Daydream. The two-day event was the brainchild of the brothers who wanted to bring the "Terrapin community back together."

Per the publication, Grahame's wife Claire came up with the name Sunday Daydream, a play on the phrase "Sunshine Daydream" from The Grateful Dead's 1970 hit Sweet Magnolias. Brian explained:

"There was this whole community of musicians who would pay in these thrown-together bands at Terrapin. It's been really fun to bring those folks back together as well."

Brian, for his part, graduated from Princeton University in 2012. Just like his elder brother, Brian is a singer and plays the guitar. He frequently performs with Phil Lesh and Grahame.

The younger Lesh sibling is also married and has a 10-year-old son, Levon (named after Levon Helm). He told the publication that he prefers the "business side of music," adding that he prefers staying close to home than touring.

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The cause of Phil Lesh's death was not disclosed. He is survived by his family.