Phish’s Trey Anastasio who performed with Phil Lesh at both the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well shows and the Phil and Friends concerts, paid tribute to the bassist on Friday following Lesh’s death at the age of 84.

“I was deeply saddened to hear that my friend Phil Lesh passed away this morning,” Anastasio wrote on social media. “Phil was more than a revolutionary, groundbreaking bassist; he transformed the way I thought about music as a teenager. I have countless memories of listening in awe to his winding, eloquent basslines that flowed seamlessly with Jerry and Bobby’s guitars, Brent Mydland’s keys, and Billy and Mickey’s thundering drums. I am so grateful for those wonderful memories.”

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Anastasio, whose jam band Phish was deeply indebted to the Dead and the following they cultivated, first shared the stage with Lesh in April 1999, when he and Phish keyboardist Page McConnell were guests at a Phil and Friends show in San Francisco, the birthplace of The Dead.

“When I first played with Phil in 1999, I discovered that he was not only an amazing musician, but a truly kind and wonderful man,” the guitarist wrote. “I cherish the memories of playing with him, sharing meals and laughing together, visiting his house and getting to know him as a friend.”

Anastasio, who filled in for the late Jerry Garcia, also took part in the Dead’s final concerts – and the last time they performed with Lesh on the lineup – at the Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago and Santa Clara, California 2015.

“The Fare Thee Well shows were particularly special, with so many family members and lifelong friends backstage, sharing precious moments together,” Anastasio added.

Lesh’s death was announced on Friday; no cause of death was given. “Phil Lesh, bassist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away peacefully this morning,” said a statement on social media. “He was surrounded by his family and full of love. Phil brought immense joy to everyone around him and leaves behind a legacy of music and love. We ask that you respect the privacy of the Lesh family at this time.”

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