Furthur & Friends Celebrate Phil Lesh’s 70th

Last night in San Francisco, Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh was feted for his 70th birthday at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium by a number of his musical friends. Members of Phil’s last three bands including Chris Robinson, John Molo, Steve Molitz & Jackie Greene from the last few incarnations of the Phil Lesh and Friends bands as well as every member of his current band – Furthur – joined Lesh for three sets of music including an acoustic first set.

Lesh also looked at the future on his birthday with the announcement that Furthur will host a festival at Mountain Aire in Angels Camp, CA on Memorial Day Weekend. No word yet on whether other bands will join in the fun or when tickets will go on sale, but we expect more information soon.

Let’s take a look at last night’s setlist [via PhilZone]…

Furthur & Friends
Phil Lesh’s 70th Birthday Bash
03/12/2010
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
A Benefit Concert for the Unbroken Chain Foundation
Proceeds to support Haitian Earthquake Relief

Set 1 Acoustic: Phil Lesh (on Ritter bass), Bob Weir, John Kadlecik, Jeff Chimenti, Jay Lane, Sunshine Becker, Zoe Ellis, Steve Molitz, Chris Robinson, Jackie Greene

Ripple (BW), Lazy River Road (JK), (Bobby says were gonna do yet another tune in the key of G), Peggy-O (CR), Two Souls in Communion (CR), Brokedown Palace (JG), A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (BW), They Love Each Other (CR), Mountains of the Moon (PL), Attics of My Life (All)

Set 2: Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, John Kadlecik, Joe Russo, Jeff Chimenti, Jay Lane, Sunshine Becker, Zoe Ellis, Jackie Greene, Chris Robinson

Scarlet Begonias (JG), Minglewood Blues (BW), Easy Wind (CR) > New Speedway Boogie (JG), Viola Lee Blues V1 (All) > High Time (CR) > Caution Jam > Viola Lee Blues V2 (All) > Hard To Handle (CR), Viola Lee Blues V3 (All) > Like A Rolling Stone (CR) > Sugaree (CR)

Set 3: Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, John Kadlecik, Joe Russo, Jeff Chimenti, Sunshine Becker, Zoe Ellis, John Molo, Steve Molitz, Jackie Greene

Not Fade Away Jam (w/parade of floats) > Happy Birthday, Dear Phil! (w/balloon drop) (All, including audience and us) > Not Fade Away Jam > meltdown > break/popping balloons > Playin in the Band (BW) > Other One Jam > Jam > St. Stephen (All) > Other One (BW) > Elevator > Unbroken Chain (PL) Comes a Time (CR) > Cream Puff War (CR) (go-go dancers on stage) > Franklin’s Tower (PL), Donor Rap, Johnny B. Goode (BW)