Memories of Phil

beautiful 

One For Me Was Phil Playing Eyes Of The World on 5-13-05 at the Warfield My JAW Dropped To The Floor !!! I Was In A Sweet Spot Up Front ~ I Will Never Forget That One ~~~~~~~ RIP Phil ____________.

I can see why Phil gave you such a memorable hug.. what an awesome Story Merri Thanks for sharing

of course the special ness of Phil and the love that revolved around him for me was bringing my mom (who passed to the other side in August) to his '77th,78th, 79th, and had tickets and flew in from France for his 80th... and finally the Philoween replacement show where My 92 year old mom and I finished at the zonner fire pit air bnb at 4:30 am.. yep Fun sure was Fun

Back at the Phil and Friends shows at Nokia in NYC;  the management of "The Lion King" had to make a big deal about the smell of marijuana wafting through the walls.   I'm pretty sure it was me they were referring to.  I'll take any blame. 

Here's a random Phil interaction/memory.....

In 2011 Cryin' Ryan Adams was playing a solo show at the lovely & intimate Herbst Theatre in San Francisco.

I knew it would sell out quickly and it was a Live Nation show so I had an "in" for tix, so despite the show being months away I bought a pair right away through in-house Live Nation ticket sales, knowing they'd be very good seats.

Now, those who know me know that I most often go to shows by myself and come the day of the show I'd completely forgotten that I'd purchased a pair....... D'oh!

When I picked up my tix at will-call I realized my mistake and made the appropriate noises of annoyance to my friend who was working the box office window. She immediately told me that Phil, who was standing a few feet away with Graham and a few other folks, had arranged for four tix but showed up with five people and he needed one more ticket, but the show was completely sold out and she had nothing to sell him.

So I approached the group, waited for a break in their conversation and told Phil I'd heard they needed one more ticket and that I had an extra. Phil, thinking I was a scalper glared at me and snarled me away from the group before I could tell them that I was happy to give them the ticket for nothing.

As is fairly well known, Phil could be a pretty prickly guy and he chose that moment to be prickly to me so I didn't push it and moved away, figuring cool, more leg room for me. I went outside for a smoke and as I was walking back into the theatre Phil grudgingly called me over and growled that he wouldn't pay more than face. At that point I was a bit annoyed with his attitude so as he continued to glare at me I told him face was fine.

I got the last laugh as my seats were better than his, and Graham's friend who sat with me was very appreciative.

Somewhere in there I did get to thank Phil for the Furthur Monterey Fairgrounds shows, which had happened the week before and were excellent, and after all that I didn't mind pocketing his money for a ticket I was more than willing to give him for free.

And the Ryan show was awesome too.

Farewell Phil, and thanks for the dough.

BTW, after looking again at my post I realize that the story is a bit snarky and perhaps negative towards Phil.

In no way am I trying to put him down, but maybe trying to put a realistic tone on us all. Phil really did nothing wrong, he just jumped to a conclusion. My actions could have been better as well.

Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life went as smoothly as pie?

My head is all over the place tonight, this is just one story I've been thinking about.

I already miss him.

Lance, you did not come off that way at all. Nice story,  man.

i second that, jazfish, lovely memory, lance, and thanks for sharing.

"Phil grudgingly called me over and growled that he wouldn't pay more than face"

fucking awesome. all i read is that phil was a head just like us. most of us probably would have had that same exchange. love it.

He gave me my first Heineken when I worked backstage at a 1972 Sacramento Memorial Auditorium show. Over the next 20 years, I was able to work a few more shows and attended even more from the band that was a major part of the soundtrack of my youth. In my mind’s eye, he always seemed to be the guide that helped move the band through their segues and punctuated their dynamics. Directing without directing.

Years later after his primary band was gone, we met again. I was invited to attend the inaugural show for a new iteration of his own band. He was giving a young, up and coming singer/songwriter friend a spot in this band. He introduced me to his wife and I was invited to sit with his family. The gig gave my friend the biggest boost to his career. Taking a chance on someone because he saw something in him whether others could or would not. That’s how he rolled.

A few years later, we crossed paths again at a tiny San Rafael club. He put his arm around my shoulders and I put mine around his as we sang along with his son’s band, playing a familiar tune.
Such a proud papa that night.

He was more than just a great musician. He was an inspiration to all and a fine human being to be emulated.
Fare thee well, Phil. May the four winds blow you safely home.

The last time for me was at Jake Peavy's place in Mobile.  Next night at Mobile Civic Center.  Two nights promoted by Peavy's foundation.

Got to speak with Phil, not gonna lie he was a bit "flinty".  Who knows what led up to it?

Phil's groups for the most part the very best post-Garcia bands, thank you for that Phil.   Thank you for not participating in the selling of the Dead legacy.

Phil's Birthday Maryland 3-15-90 = Revolution

Hartford 3-19-90  Set 2  Box of Rain (as requested by crowd) > Foolish Heart ( which is known by a close circle of friends as Phil-ish Hart-ford because of his dominance) 

Many Many Thanks Phil !!! 

Back in 2012 I saw Phil and Friends at Broomfield. I was blown away and wrote a review here on the Zone. Well, it got passed to Phil somehow and he emailed me to tell me that my description of the music was exactly how he felt about it and how rewarding it was to him to have people who appreciated the music in the way he intended. This led to conversation regarding the mystic nature of the music and  an invitation to meet the next time he was in the area. When Furthur came around, I reached out and he emailed me about five minutes later and asked how many passes I would like and that his manager would handle the details. His manager Fred met us backstage after the Red Rocks show and said Phil was fighting a cold and left right after the show. He invited us backstage where we met the rest of the band. Fred kept an eye out for us and had a van ready for us after the party to take us back to our car. Such kindness. I wrote to thank Phil and he offered to meet next time. Six months later, Further came to Broomfield and I reached out and was given another family four pack and finally got to meet Phil.  He gave me a big hug and took time to talk to my wife and kids and answered some of my burning questions. It was so gratifying to meet him in person and confirm that Lesh Is Love. Everything that I felt about the Grateful Dead was embodied in Phil. I felt the generosity of spirit that he often referred to. He met us with an open heart, listened, laughed and made us feel appreciated. It's a memory I will treasure forever. He will always be with us because he won't be forgotten. 

The first time I had a close-up encounter with Phil was outside a Grateful Dead show at Buckeye Lake in 1988.  The wave was still cresting on the Mega-Dead era spawned by the commercial success of Touch Of Grey.  Things were starting to feel overcrowded out in the lot.  Tickets were tough, and I got shut out that night.

As I walked around looking for a ticket, a minivan was slowly working it's way through the crowd.  I heard shouts of "Phil!" and looked up just as the van passed by to see Phil sitting in the passenger's seat, immersed in some paperback book.  The minivan paused for a second, he looked up, flashed us all a grin, and stuck his nose back down in his read as the van rolled away.

we were in the oakland coliseum early and high. phil came out with young grahme and sound checked. we got tom thumb that night. 

I was fortunate to sit at Phil's table at one of those spaghetti dinners they had at the Clubhouse. I was impressed with how friendly he was. Like he was interested in all of us.  The "special" quality of the Clubhouse was something I will never forget. Thank you Phil.

A few yrs later, I ran into Phil in the parking lot at the Clubhouse.  I said, So, Phil, have you ever been happier in your whole life?  He thought for a minute, and with a huge smile he said, "I don't think I have."

A few weeks later I was reading an interview he did, and he recounted our moment.  He said " somebody asked me recently if I have ever been happier, and I said I had not".      My joke at the time was that Phil said I was "somebody".

Somebody MarkD  You Rock !! thx.

I remember walking out into the Vegas morning sun at 6:00am after Phil just laid down an incredible night of music for us all at the Joint. It is such a beautiful memory. 

First time meeting Phil, at our corner store. A couple days after the Furthur Festival at Shoreline in 1998.

Phil was ordering a latte outside when I went in; I decided to get the couple things I needed and say hello on my

way out if he was still there....In line I realized the show was a couple days prior and there could be a review in the

SF Chronicle I was buying. I open to the Datebook section and there is a big photo of Phil, Bobby and Jorma from the 

show on 7-25 (Jorma sat in as well as Billy). Score!

      I go out and Phil is standing by his minivan. I approached him and said hello and asked him if he'd mind signing this 

photo. (This is only the second person I've ever asked to sign something, the first was Timothy Leary).

   He says "Sure, but I gotta go get my coffee first!" Of course!

He says "Who do you want me to sign it to?" I said my wife, and gave the name.

He repeated it as he wrote "'Jane', all Best, Phil Lesh." 

   I thanked him for signing it, and for all the years of insane music and fun; I think I told him my first show was in '82.

He was totally gracious and kind......Went out for coffee and came back home with a story.

      Fast forward a few years and I'm seeing him quite often at my job....

A couple times I had told him I was about to go see Dylan, he would ask where, etc...

One time he happened to come in on Dylan's birthday, and I said "Man, I just realized you're even older than Dylan!"

He laughed and said Yeah he's just a young guy!

     I worked at TXR for the first year it was open in 2012, so of course I saw him a lot then.....That place was a whole 

'nother batch of crazy stories!

Here are just two instances that showed me what a down to earth, classy man he really was:

      After I wasn't working at Terrapin anymore, I'd still see him at the other job.

One time he came in;  he was playing TXR that night, and I had tickets. I said My wife and I were going to come to

the show tonight but she's sick so I'm going to stay home with her. He said he was sorry we were missing it.

A day or two later he came in and I asked him how the show was.

He said "It was fine, but how's your wife??"

  It really did touch my heart that he cared enough to remember and ask about her wellbeing.

Total class.

    Another time a coworker of mine was in a terrible car accident and almost lost an arm.

We had a little fund going to help with the massive expenses that were piling up. Phil came in,

saw the notice and asked about it. I gave him a quick rundown and he basically said Oh no that's awful,

and took what appeared to be all the cash he had in his pocket, basically a handful of $20's, and

put it all in the box.

    I'm forever grateful for all the times I spent with him, whether he was onstage or I was just 

sitting and talking to him in our local bar.....

   Sleep in the stars, don't you cry

Dry your Eyes

On the wind.........

https://relix.com/articles/detail/i-m-a-bass-player-but-what-are-you-dav...

Expanded version: Dave Schools interviews Phil 

love love love you so, merri

there are endless memories from being with Phil, musically

closest i ever came to meeting him was at the book signing in NY where i met many zoners for the 1st time. i had a copy of the 7 Jams for him but was too shy to hand it over. *some* zoner helped me do it, and we had a brief and funny/sweet convo. 

i LOVE the phil prick story, because he was a real fucking person

saying was hurts my guts

Met Phil 3 times between 2001 and 2010.  The last being most memorable because I was with Louie F'N Lardo and he had backstage passes for the Mann in Philly.  After we finally get in the backstage door, the group of people is being led to the large hospitality room.  As we approach the door, some guy asks who we are guests of.  When we answer "Phil", the guy says "we've been looking for you guys!  Come with me...."  Suddenly we are walking down a hallway in the opposite direction of the hospitality room and led to Phil's dressing room door.  We are announced and spent the next 45 minutes with Phil in private.  A wide ranging discussion ensued and then we left just blown away by the experience and genuine interest and sharing that Phil showed us.

It wasn't the first thing I thought of this morning, but remembering that Phil has passed came soon after my awakening. Grief is a process, not an event.

Phil was the only member of the GD I got to meet. The first time was the day after the show at Park West in September 83. I was riding with some folks from Montana who were headed to Red Rocks, and they decided to make a grocery stop in Rock Springs, WY. On our way out of the store, we noticed a big black Lincoln Continental with Oregon plates parked right next to our vehicle, and Phil, who had a six pack of Becks in his left hand, was opening the driver's door with his right. He turned just in time to notice us walking towards him, ducked his head into the vehicle for a few seconds, and then emerged with a smile on his face. We exchanged greetings and chatted for a few minutes, during which time I noticed that the six pack was in the middle of the front seat, and just beyond it sat a young lady. Years later, when I first read Phil's autobiography, I learned that the young lady was Jill, and this is one of the stops they made on their driving trip between shows through the American West that late summer.

The second time I met Phil was at a blood drive in LA in June 2001 on the afternoon of the Q's show at the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. I was the last donor Phil spoke with that day, but he was kind and gracious and didn't seem rushed at all. My wife at the time told Phil that she'd love to hear the band play Take Me To The River, and Phil took a second or two to think about it before answering that he couldn't because it was a Bobby tune, which I suppose was an indicator of where their relationship was at that time.

The last time I saw Phil play he was standing to the right of Jerry, smiling from ear to ear.  Jerry stepped to his mic and said "Listen to that beautiful bass",  and Phil absolutely beamed at him with the Love of a brother. That's the last multi-dimensional memory I have of Phil, and it is just exactly perfect.

LFL is a Phriend of Phil