Phil Lesh & Friends (Furthur, The Other Ones, Ratdog, The Dead)

After the tragic death of Jerry Garcia, the band immediately disbanded. The only thing that remained was the desire to keep making the best music they could. They first decided to create "The Dead" whcih was The Grateful Dead minus Jerry. They basically just kept playing the same way they had been until Jerry's death. Each of them started to branch out into new bands.
Phil Lesh (my idol) is a one man bass machine and a musical genius. His improv bass skill are some of the best I have watched. His after project after the dead was "Phil Lesh & Friends". He has one album titled "There and Back Again" ironically the same title as Bilbo Baggins' book from Lord Of The Rings. He has many jam legends guest in the studio during it's production. Warren Haynes, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio and Derek trucks come to mind first. They all went to perform shows with the Phil. The lineups included multiple lead singers singing the old tunes of The Grateful Dead in a new and interesting way. Warren Haynes and Trey Anastasia are the two that come to mind as my favorites.
Bob Weir created Ratdog. This band plays mostly Dead and Dylan covers.
Now Phil and Bob, The original core of The Grateful Dead have gone back to their roots and are back playing together in a new group Furthur. This band plays primarily covers and Grateful Dead tunes written by Jerry. They have guested with many of the jam worlds finest musicians and continue to tour. (they hit Madison Square Garden back in November).
The band that never dies and will be a force to reckon with till death do them part. These Gentleman The Grateful Dead.