R.I.P. Bob Weir

Rhythm guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Bob Weir, best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead, which evolved from its mellow folk and jug band beginnings to become the leaders of 1960s psychedelic rock and helped spurn the sub genre of improvisational “jam band rock”, has died at the age of 78.

His family announced Weir’s death via an online statement on Saturday, confirming he “succumbed to underlying lung issues” following his cancer diagnosis last July, but no other details were revealed.

The SF Bay Area influential band, The Grateful Dead was founded in 1965, blending rock, folk, blues and country genres with psychedelia and extended instrumentals, became internationally known and attracted a unique fan following, dedicated to capturing their shows, following them on tour, and living a lifestyle conducive with their music.

Following Jerry Garcia’s death, Weir played in other bands including Kingfish, RatDog Furthur, Bobby and the Midnites, and Dead & Company, alongside former Grateful Dead members Mikey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, and guitarist John Mayer.

Robert Parber was born in San Francisco on October 16, 1947, to young college students who gave him up for adoption and he began playing guitar at thirteen while with his adopted parents. At 16, he would meet a 21-year-old Jerry Garcia on New Years Eve, eventually forming a band (previously The Warlocks) and forging a musical relationship that would carry both on a strange long trip for over more than the next three decades.

Weir and The Grateful Dead were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received Kennedy Center Honors in 2024- two of many awards given to Weir throughout his storied musical career. His final live performance was last summer in the Bay Area at Golden Gate Park, a three night stand with Dead & Company celebrating 60 years of music.

Weir is survived by his wife Natascha and daughters Shala and Chloe.