BIOGRAPHY
Phish formed in 1983 at the University of Vermont, when guitarist Trey Anastasio, drummer Jon Fishman, and guitarist Jeff Holdsworth began playing together. Bassist Mike Gordon joined shortly after, and keyboardist Page McConnell arrived in 1985; the classic lineup solidified once Holdsworth departed in 1986. The band's name plays on Fishman's surname. Over four decades, Phish became the preeminent jam band of the 1990s and beyond, blending psychedelia, jazz fusion, funk, progressive rock, folk, country, and blues into extended live improvisation. They prioritized concerts over studio work, encouraging fans to tape and trade shows, while still producing acclaimed albums like Billy Breathes and Farmhouse. After surviving a hiatus and a breakup, they returned to reclaim their status as leaders of the American jam scene, later charting with Fuego and collaborating with producer Bob Ezrin on Big Boat.