The legendary members of the Grateful Dead, including Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, had been actively contemplating a heartfelt reunion with Phil Lesh to celebrate their 60th anniversary. This revelation emerged during a recent interview with CBS Mornings, conducted shortly after the bassist’s passing on October 25 at the age of 84. The discussion took place just five days after Lesh’s death, highlighting the profound connection and shared musical journey among these iconic musicians. Lesh was slated to join the interview, which was organized to commemorate the band’s upcoming Kennedy Center Honors.

During the interview, Weir expressed, “We were kicking it around. In fact, we were gonna get together and kick some songs around tomorrow.” His words echoed the sentiments of a group that cherished their collaborative spirit. Kreutzmann added a layer of emotional depth, stating, “I was hoping that we could play with him again one more time. That was my sadness on that one. ‘Cause I know he wanted to play with us again, too.”

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Anticipating a Grateful Dead Reunion: Plans for the Future

Phil Lesh’s last performance with the Grateful Dead occurred in 2015 during a series of farewell shows that celebrated the band’s monumental 50th anniversary. Following these performances, Kreutzmann, Weir, and Hart embarked on a new chapter under the name Dead & Company, featuring the talents of John Mayer. Meanwhile, Lesh continued to showcase his musical prowess with his project, Phil Lesh and Friends. Kreutzmann clarified that they were eyeing a possible reunion for their 60th anniversary in 2025, emphasizing that “we were just gonna play the four of us.” Weir noted the poignant change in dynamics, saying, “Now there’s only three of us … and that’s different.”

The surviving members of the Grateful Dead remain optimistic about staging a 60th-anniversary celebration, albeit with additional musicians joining the ensemble. “We’d have to have other musicians join us,” Kreutzmann mentioned, hinting at their list of favorite collaborators. This collaborative spirit reflects the essence of the Grateful Dead, known for their improvisational style and collective creativity.

In their heartfelt reflections, the surviving members extolled Lesh’s remarkable musicality and profound knowledge, crediting him for broadening their artistic horizons. “We developed this language that only we spoke, really,” Weir articulated, emphasizing the unique bond forged through their shared musical experiences. Kreutzmann poignantly added, “He taught us, basically, how to be free,” encapsulating the ethos that has defined the Grateful Dead’s legacy.