Phish was a ballsy band a great band they weren't afraid to take on the dead by playing near them in the Grateful Deads heyday. If the dead were one state over or in the state they would still play and try to compete that was murder for most jambands in the late 80's and early 90's. I mean who would come watch your band when the Dead was in town. They were tremendous musicians and entertainers. Who would have thought trampolines and vacuum's would ever be part of a live performance. They played with excellent guest musicians whenever possible and loved it and the excitement showed.

Many would complain about song lyrics but for a lyrically obtuse band they certainly have a few good nuggets of wisdom packed in amongst the silliness. They never wanted to replace the Grateful Dead but they were thrust in a position in 1995 to carry on a genre of music that had no name. As their crowds grew and an Actual title to the music was created the Genre was made legitimate in the eyes of most the the music populace (instead of just hippie music) Phish spearheaded that. They took on thousands of Dead fans who weren't done searching for what they were looking for in touring and music. They opened up the ears of many people by joining H.O.R.D.E Fest back in the 90's and people came and heard new music. One of the things that people don't realize is that Phish did one of the most important things ever for the Jamband style of music, they went on Hiatus.

People might question that but look at how much popular other bands got when they didn't have to compete for same entertainment dollars. People who listened to this style of music needed to fill that void so look who they started going and seeing more often. SCI probably benefited the most when they went from larger club venues and opening for other bands to playing arena's and larger outdoor venues like Alpine and Deer Creek. Panic no longer was just a southern Jamband that sold out shows only in the south and their crowds grew. Moe,Keller Williams and side projects of the Grateful Dead didn't have to compete with a band that pre-hiatus was an impossible ticket to get. Phish was having festivals which drew thousands when no one was doing it. Now if you look at festivals like Roo and 10,000 lakes they are all in the same mold as a Phish fest.I dint think they lost it or became a nostalgia band. They weren't selling out any more and the music wasn't as tight. Well with SCI as big as they are and Panic and the Dead back together and so many smaller acts and festivals who does sell out anymore.

To be a jamband and be improvisational you must put in the time to play shows as many as possible. It takes work to keep the music tight and they didn't put the time in before. it just goes to show you even talented people cant always just flip a switch and your as good as ever. Many bands have claimed they will never get back together and who knows with Phish but this bands legacy can never be forgotten.