Phil was raised in the Bay Area of California and grew up playing the violin, before switching over to big band trumpet. He was a fan of classical music and free form jazz, and studied music in college. While working at radio station KPFA in college, he became acquainted with Jerry Garcia. The classical/jazz music fan Phil and the bluegrass loving Garcia became friends.

In 1965, Phil went to see Garcia's band 'The Warlocks' in concert.  Afterward, despite having never before played the bass guitar, Garcia talked Phil into being the band's bass player. The band would eventually change their name to the 'Grateful Dead.'  Phil learned the bass through on-the-job training.  His background in free form music allowed him to play the bass differently than a typical rhythm section instrument, and improvise with Garcia and Weir in jams for which the Dead became well-known.

Phil's singing wasn't as prevalent as Garcia, Weir or the keyboard player at any given time, but he wrote a few songs for the band. His two most well-known songs are probably "Unbroken Chain" and "Box of Rain."

Phil was the only bass player for the Grateful Dead, until it disbanded shortly after Garcia's death. Phil and some of the remaining members of the Dead, along with a rotating cast of guitarists, toured in the late '90s / early 00's as 'The Other Ones.'  Phil played on again, off again, on again with The Other Ones.  Eventually, The Other Ones changed their name to 'The Dead,' and continued to tour with other musicians including Joan Osborne, Warren Haynes, and others at different times.  Phil and Bob Weir toured together along with another cast of musicians under the name 'Furthur,' until disbanding Furthur a couple years ago.

In the Summer of 2015, the four remaining members of the Grateful Dead reunited with Bruce Hornsby on piano and vocals, Trey Anastasio (Phish) on guitar and vocals, and Jeff Chimenti on keyboards and vocals for two shows in Santa Clara, and three shows in Chicago billed as "Fare Thee Well."  Since "Fare The Well," the remaining Grateful Dead members (with the exception of Phil) have toured with John Mayer and others under the name "Dead & Company."

Phil has occasionally performed under the moniker 'Phil Lesh & Friends,' and increased the frequency of touring and performing under that name since 1999.  His "friends," includes an always rotating cast of musicians including Chris Robinson, Ryan Adams, Trey Anastasio, Steve Kimock, Warren Haynes, Jackie Green, Jorma Kaukonen, Larry Campbell, and dozens more.

Phil has been open about bringing his personal life into his musical life.  In 1998, after a chronic Hepatitis C infection, Phil underwent a successful liver transplant. Since the transplant, he has become a big supporter of organ donation, and often ends his concerts with a 'donor rap,' discussing his organ donor, and urging his fans to become organ donors.

Both of Phil's sons, Grahame and Brian, followed their father into music, and often perform with Phil.

In 2012, Phil opened a music venue in San Rafael, CA called Terrapin Crossroads.  When not on tour, Phil and his sons often perform there.

Happy birthday Phil!