Lesh is now undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., to eventually remove tumors and expects to make a full recovery.
Advertisement
“I am very fortunate to have the pathology reports show that the tumors are all non aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread”, he writes.
Lesh cancelled shows this month of his side band, Phil Lesh and Friends, with Chris Robinson of Black Crowes fame.
Due to his surgery, Lesh will need two weeks to recover from his surgery, after which he will be able to return to his normal activities.
Unfortunately, that means I will have to cancel the PLF shows scheduled for October 24/25. The concerts will be rescheduled and ticket refund info will soon be made available, he added.
Phil and Friends seem intent on resuming their trek October 30th with six shows at Port Chester, New York’s Capitol Theatre, including a Halloween night performance just 30 miles north of Dead & Company’s October 31st gig at Madison Square Garden.
As reported by Radio, the rocker revealed to fans that he is fighting bladder cancer via a post on Terrapin Crossroads’ Facebook page.
The Grateful Dead was closely entwined with the hippie movement and was known for the wide range of American musical styles it embraced and for its devotion to jamming and the live concert experience. Former members of the group include Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Robert Hunter, Tom Constanten, Keith Godchaux, Donna Jean Godchaux, Brent Mydland, and Vince Welnick.
Advertisement
While Lesh was not the most prolific Dead songwriter, he is considered influential in establishing the role of electric bass in rock, playing dominant chords instead of staying relegated to the background.
