The village of Port Chester, New York, and The Capitol Theatre, the historic music venue located there, have announced plans for a special permanent tribute to late Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. On March 14, a street just outside of the theater will officially be renamed Phil Lesh Lane.
Phil Lesh Lane will be located at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Broad Street. A dedication ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. ET that day. The event will take place before the launch of a four-show run celebrating Lesh, scheduled for March 14-17. Hosted by Phil’s son, Grahame, the concerts will feature various musicians who have performed with Phil Lesh & Friends.
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Between 2012 and his passing in October 2024, Lesh played 106 concerts at The Capitol with Phil Lesh & Friends. Phil Lesh Lane is the site of the venue’s “Door 12” stage door, where Phil and his musical collective entered the theater for their shows. Lesh’s tour bus also regularly parked there.
Comments from The Capitol Theatre’s Owner and Grahame Lesh
Capitol Theatre owner Peter Shapiro and Grahame Lesh issued statements about the street dedication in Phil’s honor.
“Phil was like a father to the Capitol, and performed there more times than any other musician in the theater’s history,” Shapiro said. “We are thrilled that he will now be with us, on the same street, for every show the theater has moving forward, forever.”
Added Grahame, “The Lesh Family is so honored that the many magical nights that Phil spent at The Cap will be commemorated with Phil Lesh Lane. Phil loved The Cap and the entire community that came to his shows here, and our whole family will always feel the love that reflected back to him and all of us.”
Grahame also noted that it was “extra special” that the commemoration was taking place during his father’s “85th birthday weekend.” Phil was born on March 15, 1940.
More About the Capitol Theatre Concerts Saluting Phil Lesh
The tribute concerts at The Capitol are dubbed “Unbroken Chain: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Phil Lesh.” The shows will be hosted by Grahame Lesh, and each night will feature a different lineup of guest artists.
Among the musicians who will perform at the various shows are former Allman Brothers Band members Warren Haynes and Oteil Burbridge, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco, Eric Krasno, Jason Crosby, John Molo, and Jackie Greene. The concerts will benefit the MusiCares and Undue Medical Debt charities.
More About Phil Lesh’s History with The Capitol Theatre
Lesh first performed at The Capitol Theatre with The Grateful Dead, who played 18 shows there in 1970 and 1971. Over the years, Phil was presented with a number of honors in recognition of his contributions to the community. He was given the Key to Port Chester in 2017 and was named an Honorary Firefighter by the Port Chester Volunteer Fire Department in 2018.
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