Phil Lesh, bassist with the Grateful Dead, has revealed he has bladder cancer.

Explaining the cancellation of two shows by his Phil & Friends project, Lesh wrote on Facebook, “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”

Rolling Stone reports that Lesh’s Phil & Friends had recently cancelled his scheduled appearances at his Terrapin Crossroads restaurant and venue in San Rafael, California due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

Lesh is due to join the other members of Dead & Company, the band formed by members of the Grateful Dead and John Mayer, for their first concert, on October 31 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

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