Bay Insider on Phil & Friends

From KTVU:

Phil Lesh and Friends

When Jerry Garcia was still alive and the Grateful Dead were still being followed around by a gypsy caravan of old hippies and young college-age kids, there was always a small but vocal contingent of fans pleading for the band to let bassist Phil Lesh have a chance to deliver "Box of Rain" or one of the other rare songs he sang lead vocal from the Dead's classic '70s albums.

Those fans get their wish when Lesh steps out to front his own group of like-minded musicians, billed appropriately enough as Phil Lesh and Friends. Though past line-ups have featured such luminaries as Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson, guitarists Warren Haynes (veteran of the Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule) and Jimmy Herring (of the instrumental tribute band Jazz Is Dead), percussionist John Molo and keyboardist Ron Baracco, the bassist's aggregation continues to shift with each tour. Joining stalwarts Baracco and Molo for this New Year's Eve show at the Bill Graham Civic Center are guitar/pedal-steel player Barry Sless, longtime Dylan guitarist Larry Campbell and vocalist Joan Osborne.

To celebrate the holiday, Phil and Friends will deliver a set highlighting a host of Dead favorites and new tunes preceded by a performance by special guests the John Mayer Trio. At midnight, Mayer will join Lesh and his band for a third set that will stretch into the wee hours of January 1st.

Date:2005 Dec: 31
Location: San Francisco
Venue: Bill Graham Civic
Time Info: 8 p.m.
Price Info: $65