Phil Lesh, Grateful Dead Bassist, Reveals Bladder Cancer Diagnosis

Phil Lesh, the Grateful Dead founding member and bassist, has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Phil Lesh Cancer

Lesh, 75, announced his diagnosis via a Facebook post Friday. In the message, the esteemed musician also broke the news to fans that his treatment will keep him from a few upcoming shows.

“I am sorry to let you know that I will need to cancel the October 24th and 25th Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson,” Lesh wrote. “I was diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, and have spent the last few weeks at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale doing tests and eventually surgery to remove the tumors.”

Lesh went on to note that his prognosis is good, and that he looks forward to more performances in the future.

“I am very fortunate to have the pathology reports show that the tumors are all non aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread,” he wrote. “So thanks to my local doctor Cliff Sewell, and the incredible team at the Mayo Clinic, all is well and I can return to normal activities in two weeks from my surgery.”

Lesh helped form jam band Grateful Dead in the 60s. Since the Grateful Dead disbanded in the mid-1990s, Lesh has performed with his own group, Phil and Friends.

Back in 2006, Lesh battled and beat prostate cancer.