Phish Pays Tribute to Phil Lesh with Surprise Song at Albany Show

On the first night of their fall tour in Albany, NY, Phish kicked things off with a heartfelt cover of "Box of Rain, " a song from the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album. This performance came just hours after the passing of Phil Lesh, the legendary bassist of the Grateful Dead. While this was the first time Phish had ever played "Box of Rain, " guitarist Trey Anastasio had previously performed it with Lesh during the Grateful Dead's Fare Thee Well concerts in 2015. Anastasio shared his feelings about Lesh on social media earlier that day. He wrote about how Lesh had changed his perspective on music as a teenager, praising his unique style and the impact it had on him. Anastasio also mentioned the rare occasions when he'd shared the stage with Lesh over the past 25 years. Bassist Mike Gordon, who plays in Phish, also honored Lesh during the concert. During their performance of "The Howling, " Gordon included a tease of the bass line from the Grateful Dead's "Shakedown Street. " Gordon extended his tribute to Lesh on social media, calling him a major influence and highlighting his unique sound and style. Gordon emphasized how Lesh balanced his role as a bassist, holding down the foundation of the music while also adding melodic elements. He mentioned Lesh's classical training and how it influenced his bass lines, turning them into intricate counterpoints. Gordon also noted how Lesh's spirituality came through in his music, seeing it as a divine gift.