Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead bassist and all-around good guy, has died at the age of 84. Phil survived a series of health crises including a liver transplant, which led him to remark that he was just glad to still be here. Now he’s gone. He’ll be missed.

I was lucky enough to meet Phil many years ago. As a young Bay Area Deadhead, I liked to go to Grateful Dead shows early. When they played Winterland there was often a pickup basketball game organized by the late great concert promoter and producer Bill Graham. I wrote about one encounter with Bill in my 2019 tribute to Art Neville.

They were picking sides one afternoon when Phil Lesh showed up. He was the only member of the band who ever arrived early.

Bill asked him if he wanted to play. Phil said. “No thanks, Uncle Bobo. I have a show to do tonight.”

Uncle Bobo was the Dead’s nickname for Graham who was anything but avuncular.

Bill loved to bust balls, so we were all expecting him to unleash a barrage of profane insults. Instead, he said, “It’s okay Phil. You’re a mensch.”

I wasn’t picked for the game for as Bill accurately said, “That kid sucks.”

I sat with Phil for a good half hour discussing music and politics. He hated Nixon and liked his fellow bass God Chris Squire of Yes. Then he got up and said, “Nice to meet you. I have a show to do.”

Phil Lesh was a mensch.

The last word goes to Grateful Dead with two tunes Phil co-wrote and sang lead vocals on, Box Of Rain and Unbroken Chain:

Repeat after me: Phil Lesh was a mensch.