Grateful Dead's founding member, Phil Lesh, who had played as the band's bass guitarist for 30 years after they disbanded in 1995, revealed he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in early October, BBC reported.
Lesh announced that his doctors found cancerous tumors in his bladder and added that he has been going through various tests conducted at the Mayo Clinic situated in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"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." he said.
As he explained further, Lesh gladly admitted how he's still "very fortunate" despite battling with the deadly cancer, saying "the tumors are all non-aggressive, and that there is no indication that they have spread."
He went on saying, "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 two weeks from my surgery."
Lesh revealed that he had previously battled with prostate cancer back in 2006, the cancer which killed his father. During the same year, Lesh went through a successful operation and later announced that his cancer was finally gone.
While he cheerfully hopes nothing but a quick recovery from his cancer, he wasn't able to save his October 24 to 25 Phil & Friends shows as he was forced to cancel all of them for his surgery.
"Dear Friends, I am sorry to let you know that I will need to cancel the October 24th and 25th Phil & Friends shows with Chris Robinson." He said.
However, Lesh assured fans that he will return immediately as soon as he recovers from the surgery.
Phil Lesh is currently shaping his solo career after he performed in Grateful Dead's final concerts last summer. Reports say that the veteran musician regularly performs at a restaurant situated in San Rafael, California.
