Unbroken Chain: A Tribute to Phil Lesh - A Recap of Grahame Lesh & Friends' Kickoff Show at The Junction Beer Garden
Grahame Lesh & Friends are set to kick off a three-night sold-out run at The Fillmore in San Francisco tonight with Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh. The shows pay tribute to the late bassist through performances of Grateful Dead music. Prior to this, the bandleader hosted a warm-up show at The Junction Beer Garden in Mill Valley, featuring three sets of Dead songs and guest appearances by Bay Area musicians like Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, Jason Crosby, and John Molo.
The kickoff party at The Junction Beer Garden saw Grahame Lesh joined by a lineup of talented musicians including Elliott Peck, Brian Rashap, and Greg Loiacono. Special guests like Pete Sears and Eric D. Johnson from Fruit Bats also made appearances. The evening began with energetic renditions of classic Dead tunes like "Viola Lee Blues," "Bertha," and "Jack Straw," captivating the audience with fan favorites such as "Eyes of the World" and Jerry Garcia's "Gomorrah."
The second set continued the musical journey with songs like "Cold, Rain and Snow," "He's Gone," and "New Speedway Boogie," where the band creatively intertwined the second verse of "Viola Lee Blues." The setlist also included soulful performances of "Bird Song" and "Althea," leading up to a lively rendition of "Me and My Uncle" to close out the middle frame.
As the night progressed, the third set kicked off with a heartfelt rendition of "Cassidy" as a tribute to Bobby Weir, followed by upbeat tracks like "Scarlet Begonias" and "They Love Each Other." The setlist also featured the Phil Lesh-penned title track "Unbroken Chain," culminating in a spirited performance of "Shakedown Street" before returning for an encore of the iconic "Ripple."
The Mill Valley performance evoked the nostalgic ambiance of Terrapin Crossroads, a beloved venue for Deadheads. The kickoff show featured a total of 18 songs spread across three sets and an encore, setting the stage for the upcoming sold-out shows at The Fillmore. The West Coast celebration mirrors a previous East Coast tribute series, showcasing the enduring legacy of Phil Lesh and the Grateful Dead.