Bob Weir, a musician and founding member of the Grateful Dead, has passed away at the age of 78.
His official Instagram page confirmed his death, noting that his legacy will endure. His family has requested privacy during this time but expressed gratitude for the ‘outpouring of love, support, and remembrance’ for Weir.
A tribute on his Instagram page celebrated his musical contributions, stating: “There is no final curtain here, not really. Only the sense of someone setting off again,” and shared that Weir ‘transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones’.
Weir co-founded the Grateful Dead in California in 1965, a band that became famous for its unique blend of psychedelia, rock, jazz, and blues, drawing from a vast array of musical influences.
In the band, Weir played rhythm guitar and sang, alongside Jerry Garcia on lead guitar and vocals, Phil Lesh on bass and vocals, Bill Kreutzmann on drums, and Ron McKernan on keyboard, harmonica, and vocals.
The Grateful Dead became iconic figures within California’s counter-culture scene and continued their journey until 1995, the year Garcia died.
In recognition of their impact, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and awarded a lifetime achievement honor by the Grammys in 2007.
The tribute to Weir noted: “He often spoke of a three-hundred-year legacy, determined to ensure the songbook would endure long after him.”
“May that dream live on through future generations of Dead Heads.”
Weir had previously battled cancer but continued to perform throughout his illness.
The Instagram post stated: “Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts.”
“Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design.”
The statement mentioned that Weir overcame cancer before his death, though the type of cancer was not disclosed.
Tributes for Weir have been numerous, including one from former Eagles guitarist Don Felder, who wrote: “I first saw Bob at Woodstock with the Grateful Dead and was blown away by that whole band, and the musicianship.”
“I feel so blessed to have been able to have him sing on ‘Rock You’ from American Rock and Roll. Until we meet again, amigo.”
His former publicist, Dennis McNally, shared with the BBC: “He had a very off-kilter, unusual sense of humour that was dry and funny. The road was his life, and music was his life.”
Bob Weir is survived by his wife Natascha, and daughters Chloe and Monet.