In 2015, the Grateful Dead have been celebrating their 50th anniversary with farewell concerts, documentary films, archival releases and a planned spinoff tour with John Mayer. Sadly, bassist Phil Lesh has now turned his focus to a battle with cancer.
In a Facebook message posted Friday (October 16), the 75-year-old revealed that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this month and has been getting treatment at Scottsdale, AZ's Mayo Clinic.
Luckily, he said that the tumours were "non-aggressive" and don't appear to have spread. And even though he has cancelled a couple of Phil Lesh & Friends concerts this month, he is already promising to reschedule these shows soon, and intends to complete his scheduled east coast dates in the coming weeks.
Read Lesh's message below. From what we can tell, it doesn't seem that his cancer treatment will interfere with the Grateful Dead's plans.
Dear Friends,
I am sorry to let you know that I will need to cancel the October 24th and 25th Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson.
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. 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.
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.
Unfortunately, that means I will have to cancel the PLF shows scheduled for Oct 24/25. We will reschedule these shows as soon as we can, but in the meantime, keep a lookout for a free Grate Room show before I leave for the East Coast shows. I also plan to pop in and jam in the bar before we leave, so I hope to see you there at Terrapin.
Love Will See You Through....
-Phil
PS Ticket refund info will be posted soon
In a Facebook message posted Friday (October 16), the 75-year-old revealed that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer earlier this month and has been getting treatment at Scottsdale, AZ's Mayo Clinic.
Luckily, he said that the tumours were "non-aggressive" and don't appear to have spread. And even though he has cancelled a couple of Phil Lesh & Friends concerts this month, he is already promising to reschedule these shows soon, and intends to complete his scheduled east coast dates in the coming weeks.
Read Lesh's message below. From what we can tell, it doesn't seem that his cancer treatment will interfere with the Grateful Dead's plans.
Dear Friends,
I am sorry to let you know that I will need to cancel the October 24th and 25th Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson.
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. 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.
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.
Unfortunately, that means I will have to cancel the PLF shows scheduled for Oct 24/25. We will reschedule these shows as soon as we can, but in the meantime, keep a lookout for a free Grate Room show before I leave for the East Coast shows. I also plan to pop in and jam in the bar before we leave, so I hope to see you there at Terrapin.
Love Will See You Through....
-Phil
PS Ticket refund info will be posted soon