10/25/2024
I've lost countless musical heroes over the years, nearly to the point that I'm afraid I've become somewhat numbed to it. Today's loss of Philip Chapman Lesh resonated in a quite different, and, strangely familiar way. This one cuts deep, and as equally painful as Garcia's for me. I've always had quite a fondness of Phil, and musically, I've always felt Lesh's post Grateful Dead bands captured a bit more of that good ol' "X" factor. I'm incredibly sad, but also ridiculously grateful and happy for all the years Phil was with us. I think as Deadheads we get too caught up in particulars and forget how lucky we really are.
I can't put an immediate number on the number of times I saw Lesh live, easily 25+ between the GD and all it's post configurations. I wasn't officially photographing events back then, but I did manage a few stealth shots. These are from Austin's Back Yard and OKC's Zoo Amphitheatre. There's even a shot of me at that Zoo show that Stacie took. Weir and Ratdog opened, but my allegiance can be found on my shirt. I never got the chance to meet Phil. I tried a couple of times, but it never worked out. Also tried multiple times trying to get Phil to sign an autograph to no avail. Just how it goes.
Fare thee well Phil. Keep searching for the sound.
