Bob Weir, the founding guitarist and vocalist whose rhythm playing anchored the Grateful Dead's expansive sound for more than three decades, has died. He was 78.
According to a statement shared on his official website and social media channels, Weir passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The guitarist had been diagnosed with cancer in July and recently completed treatment. Though he beat the disease, he ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues.
Just weeks after beginning treatment, Weir returned to the stage at Golden Gate Park to celebrate the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary — a fitting final testament to his lifelong dedication to performing.
Weir met Jerry Garcia as a teenager in a Palo Alto music store in the early 1960s. Together they formed a band initially called The Warlocks, which soon evolved into the Grateful Dead. The group became central to the Haight-Ashbury psychedelic scene and a generation seeking freedom and community through music.
Known for marathon improvisational jams and ever-changing set lists, the Dead created an experience as much as a concert — building one of the most devoted fan communities in rock history along the way. While Garcia handled lead, Weir's distinctive, jazz-influenced rhythm guitar style became the foundation of the band's signature sound.
Weir co-wrote many of the band's most beloved classics, including "Sugar Magnolia," "Truckin'," "Cassidy," and "Throwing Stones." Though the Grateful Dead produced few traditional radio hits, their songs became anthems for a sprawling countercultural family known as Deadheads.
After Garcia's death in 1995, Weir became one of the primary custodians of the band's musical legacy. He carried the music forward through projects like The Other Ones, RatDog, and most recently Dead & Company, which introduced new generations to the Dead's enduring repertoire.
Beyond music, Weir was known for environmental activism and his steadfast belief in music as a force for connection and community. He is survived by his wife, Natascha Münter, and daughters Monet and Chloe.
For millions of Deadheads around the world, Bob Weir wasn't just a musician — he was part of the journey. His death closes a remarkable six-decade career that fundamentally reshaped live music and the relationship between artists and their audience.
