Last night, I went to the Greek Theatre high up above L.A’s Griffith Park to see Phil and Friends, an ever-changing lineup of top-notch musicians with one main constant: bassist Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead.
After a short set from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Lesh and his latest group of “friends” — Larry Campbell on guitar, Jackie Greene on vocals and guitar, Steve Molitz on keyboards), and longtime P&F drummer John Molo — went on a rampage and nailed every classic Dead song you’d ever want to hear. From the boogie of “Shakedown Street” right on through the tinkling jam-a-thon of “Unbroken Chain,” the band and their flock never lost touch with one another.
I hadn’t seen Lesh live in a few years. The last time was with members of Little Feat opening for Bob Dylan in Del Mar. Before that, I remember more than a few different P&F shows with guitarists Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring, keyboardist Rob Barraco and Molo. This version even recorded an album in 2002 called There and Back.
If memory and research serves me well, the very first Phil and Friends show took place on September 24, 1994 at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA. Lesh was joined by a Dead band mates Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir and Vince Welnick for a small, impromptu performance to benefit the Berkeley Education Foundation’s music program, something near and dear to Lesh’s heart.
After the Grateful Dead called it quit following Garcia’s passing, Lesh played occasionally, most notably with the Other Ones. Following Lesh’s liver transplant in 1999, a special version of Phil and Friends featuring Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell of Phish played a round of shows in San Francisco. After that, everyone wanted to be Phil’s friend and, a new, long strange trip began.
These days, I don’t follow the Grateful Dead and their extended family like I used to. I can’t even keep up with the Dick Picks Series of live CDs (I stopped buying them after 21). The show last night reminded me of how much I miss the whole scene — the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, going to San Francisco, Haight-Ashbury, the Vegas runs, the T-shirts, the parking lot, and all the friends who became family members. Not just Phil’s friends, but everyone’s friends.
The spirit is alive for the rest of the week as Phil & Friends wrap up their Spring tour at the Warfield. Wish I could be there.
