Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has passed away at the age of 78.
The news of the musician's death was announced on his social media late last night, noting that Bob Weir had been receiving treatment for cancer and lung complications.
The statement reads, “there is no final curtain here, not really. Only the sense of someone setting off again,” and mentions that Weir “transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.”
“He often spoke of a three-hundred-year legacy, determined to ensure the songbook would endure long after him,” the message continues. “May that dream live on through future generations of Dead Heads.”
The Grateful Dead originally formed as The Warlocks before evolving into their final form. Fusing rock 'n' roll with folk and jug band influences, the band established a unique sound.
As a significant part of the San Francisco psychedelic music scene, their lengthy performances allowed The Grateful Dead to break free from the conventional three-minute limitations of pop songs – for instance, extended renditions of ‘Dark Star’ would often exceed 20 minutes.
Collaborators Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir were pioneering musicians who aimed to defy trends. As the 70s began, the Grateful Dead embraced Americana, continuing to forge their unique path.
The 80s saw a live revival, with fans, known as Dead Heads, traveling from concert to concert, creating a true countercultural community around the band during the challenging Reagan years.
The death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 effectively ended The Grateful Dead, but Bob Weir continued to honor their legacy through projects like Dead & Company, which had a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024 and 2025.
Despite his cancer diagnosis, Bob Weir immersed himself in last year’s – now-final – performances. “Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts,” the statement adds. “Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design.”
Bob Weir is survived by his wife Natascha and daughters Shala and Chloe, who expressed their gratitude for the “outpouring of love, support, and remembrance.”
Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has passed away at the age of 78. His death was confirmed on his social media overnight, with Bob Weir having...
