Watch: Phil Lesh Celebrates 76th Birthday With An All-Star Party At The Cap

Yesterday marked the 76th birthday for Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Naturally, in planning his birthday party, Lesh picked a favorite location and some of his best friends for the occasion. There was cake! What more can you ask for?

The show featured the “Almost Q,” a lineup with Warren Haynes, Rob Barraco, and John Molo, as well as Lettuce/Soulive axe player Eric Krasno. The group was in fine form throughout the show, opening with “Help on the Way > Slipknot!” before transitioning into “Just A Little Light.” After a fun classic version of “Doin’ That Rag,” Phil & Friends got down on a cover of Eric Clapton’s “Let It Rain.” Check it out:

The first set closed out with an “Althea,” seeing Barraco and Haynes trade vocals, and a fun-loving “Bertha.” Watch the two below:

Just like that, the group got right back into it with a powerful version of “Shakedown Street.” That segued seamlessly into the old standard “Viola Lee Blues,” before the group dug deep into the catalog with “Eyes Of The World > Playing In The Band > Terrapin Station Suite > Morning Dew.” Wow! 

Check out footage of “Shakedown Street” below, courtesy of Stephen Hurtes:

After some cake was served and some “Happy Birthday” was sung, the crowd showed their true appreciation for Lesh and his incredible career. The show ended with an encore of “Standing on the Moon,” a fitting end to a great performance. Don’t worry! Lesh & Friends will be back for two more nights, tomorrow and Friday, at the Capitol Theatre.

 

“Standing On The Moon” The coast of California must be somewhere over here – over here #warrenhaynes #phillesh #johnmolo #erickrasno #robbarraco #capitoltheatre #philleshandfriends #standingonthemoon #california #terrapincrossroads #gd50 #roberthunter #jerrygarcia #gratefuldead

A video posted by RHS – Spirit Guide (@redhawksoaring) on Mar 16, 2016 at 1:02am PDT

The setlist can be seen below, courtesy of Bill Batson/FOJC:

Setlist: Phil Lesh & Friends at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY – 3/15/16

Set One: Help on the Way (RB) > Slipknot! > Just a Little Light (WH), Doin’ That Rag (RB), Let It Rain (WH), Althea (RB, WH), Bertha (RB)

Set Two: Shakedown Street (WH) > Viola Lee Blues (PL, RB, WH), Eyes of the World (PL) > Playing in the Band (RB) > Lady with a Fan (PL) > Terrapin Station (PL, WH) > Morning Dew (WH), Happy Birthday to Phil!

Encore: Standing on the Moon (WH)

[Cover photo via Capitol Theatre Instagram]