Grateful Dead co-founder Phil Lesh dies at the age of 84

"Phil brought immeasurable joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love," it continued. The musician was 84 years old.

For three decades, Lesh and his bandmate Jerry Garcia were close musical partners whose collaboration shaped the psychedelic, multi-layered sound of the Californian rock group. The 84-year-old was a pioneer of the burgeoning electric bass sound in the 1960s, choosing a more melodic approach for the instrument that traditionally served more as a beat generator.

The classically trained Lesh may not have been the Grateful Dead's most prolific songwriter, but he wrote some of their most notable songs, including "Dark Star" and "St. Stephen". At times, Lesh also sang on the songs.