One of the first rock bassists whose instrument regularly took a lead role, he also had a hand in writing some of the band’s best-known songs.

Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead whose bass lines powered the band’s songs over three decades and contributed to hits such as “Box of Rain,” died Oct. 25 at age 84. The death was announced in a statement posted to his official Instagram page.

Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead whose electric bass playing came to define the psychedelic San Francisco sound, died Oct. 25.

There was an outpouring of sadness and gratitude in the Bay Area and across the globe Friday as musicians and music fans paid tribute to founding bassist of the Grateful Dead Phil Lesh, who died at age 84.

Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead whose nuanced bass playing made him an architect of the band's otherworldly sound, died on Friday at age 84, his Instagram account said.

Phil Lesh, the prolific bass player and co-founder of the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, has died at 84. Lesh's death was announced Friday in a post on his official Instagram page, which read,

Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of iconic rock band Grateful Dead, has died. He was 84. The news was announced on Lesh’s verified Instagram on Friday, which said he died “peacefully” on Friday morning.