Former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh was back in action on Friday with his first public performance since undergoing back surgery in August. This was the same medical procedure that forced the 79-year-old Lesh to cancel the 2019 iteration of his annual Phil & Friends Halloween run at The Capitol Theatre back in October.
Friday’s performance was that of a smaller one, as Lesh teamed up wit his son Grahame and Stu Allen for a short, intimate set at the Marin County Mart in Larkspur, CA–a short drive from the bassist’s Terrapin Crossroads venue in nearby San Rafael. The two guitarists (who played acoustic instruments) and Lesh on his electric six-string base treated lucky attendees to stripped performances of “Casey Jones”, “Big Railroad Blues”, “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” (featuring Lesh on lead vocals, “U.S Blues”, and a cover of the Band‘s “The Weight”.
The trio was even joined in the performance by California congressman Jared Huffman during their cover of “The Weight” to close the set.
Watch the entire performance from Friday via the videos below.
Phil & Grahame Lesh with Stu Allen – Marin County Mart – 12/13/2019
Phil & Grahame Lesh, Stu Allen, Jaren Huffman – “The Weight” – 12/13/2019
[Video: owiknowuryder]
Lesh currently has no performances planned for the coming year other than his 80th birthday celebrations at next year’s LOCKN’ Festival scheduled for June 19th-21th, 2020.
[H/T JamBase]