Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, one of America’s most unique and beloved musical groups, has passed away at 78, his family announced.
Weir was diagnosed with cancer last July, bravely fought the disease, and ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues, his family said. Fans know the famous rhythm guitarist and songwriter for his kindness, sense of humor and devotion to his physical well-being and appearance.
Weir was born Oct. 16, 1947 and grew up in Atherton, Calif. He started playing guitar in his teens and teamed with the late Jerry Garcia in 1964 to form The Warlocks which evolved into the Grateful Dead. “The Dead” played and recorded for some 60 years until Garcia’s death in 1995.
Throughout his remarkable career “Bobby” always found time for side and solo projects including the bands Kingfish, RatDog and Bobby and The Midnites.
Weir had an appreciation of all genres of music, with much of his work taking on elements of fusion and jazz. During a backstage interview at a Bobby and the Midnites show in the early 1980s, bandmates Bobby Cochran and Alphonso Johnson joked that Weir had all the makings of a solid jazz musician, with Johnson adding, “We just have to teach him to swing his guitar in time.”
Weir’s thorough enjoyment of jamming and trying new ideas led to a range of innovative sounds. With Garcia, the beloved rhythm guitarist and writer created much of the sound of the Grateful Dead, contributing to the band’s collection of well-known tracks like “Sugar Magnolia,” “Jack Straw,” “Estimated Prophet,” and “Truckin.'” His ponytailed, preppy look and beaming smile endeared him to fans as “the cute one” of the Grateful Dead. As the youngest member of the band, he was referred to as “the kid” by his bandmates.
After Garcia’s death, Weir continued the legacy of the music in various groups like Dead & Company with John Mayer stepping in at lead guitar, and Wolf Bros, which he formed with Don Was.
Weir is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Grateful Dead and the Grateful Dead were Kennedy Center honorees in 2024. It is estimated that the Grateful Dead played between 2300 and 2350 live performances, amassing a fan base of millions, lovingly dubbed “Deadheads.”
Read more at Bob Weir’s web page.
– By Donna Balancia