Phil Lesh Says His Cancer Is ‘Not Going To Be An Issue’, Talks Dead & Co And FTW

Grateful Dead fans were beside themselves just two weeks ago, when bassist Phil Lesh, 75, announced that he was undergoing treatment for a diagnosed bladder cancer and was cancelling two shows with members of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. However, since those shows, Lesh has performed a handful of times, and a recent interview in the New York Times suggests that Lesh is on the mend!

Lesh said, “It’s under control,” and that the doctors “are very confident that it’s not going to be an issue going forward.” Such great news from the Dead bassist.

He also spoke again about his unwillingness to tour, saying “When I agreed to do Dead 50, my stipulation was, ‘That’s it.’” He continued, “It was just understood. They were all ready before we even started rehearsals, talking about going out themselves. I’m just not into touring, and those guys are.”

While Lesh didn’t say why he wasn’t into touring, he did talk at length about the Fare Thee Well experience. “I don’t think there’s any band in history that could’ve pulled that off like that — 20 years after their main guy died… It wasn’t really so much about the band and the music as it was about the Deadheads coming together again. It almost didn’t matter how well we played. It was about them.”

30 Photos That Perfectly Capture The Magic Of The Grateful Dead’s Final Fare Thee Well Shows

He continued, saying, “It’s a thrill to play to that many people… That said, it’s not something I want to do very much. It definitely has its limitations artistically, because of the disconnect between the stage and all of those people.”

Obviously, Lesh and his Grateful Dead cohorts will be a mere 30 miles away come Halloween, as Dead & Company is performing at Madison Square Garden while Phil Lesh & Friends will hit the Capitol Theatre. Asked if there was any chance of an encounter, Lesh said, “Absolutely not. I’m so busy.” Still, Bob Weir recently said that Lesh was welcome to sit-in with the band if he so desires.

Regardless of who plays with who, fans should be grateful that this music lives on so vibrantly.