Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Co-Founder and Iconic Rhythm Guitarist, Dies at 78

Bob Weir, the veteran rock musician who helped shape the sound and spirit of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family announced in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, posted on Weir’s verified Instagram account, he was diagnosed with cancer in July and later “succumbed to underlying lung issues” while surrounded by loved ones. The family did not disclose the exact time or place of his death.

Just weeks after beginning cancer treatment, Weir returned to what his family called his “hometown stage” at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. There, he performed in a three-night celebration marking 60 years in music. Those concerts became his final public performances, according to Rolling Stone.

Weir was a founding member and longtime rhythm guitarist of the Grateful Dead, a band that became one of the most influential acts in rock history through its blend of psychedelic exploration, improvisation and American roots music. Alongside late lead guitarist Jerry Garcia, Weir served as one of the band’s main vocalists and frontmen for most of its three-decade run.

He sang the verses on the band’s signature anthem “Truckin’” and wrote or co-wrote many of their most enduring songs, including “Sugar Magnolia,” “Playing in the Band” and “Jack Straw.” Known early on as “Bobby,” the youthful, ponytailed guitarist later grew into an eclectic songwriter whose wide-ranging musical tastes helped broaden the band’s appeal.

Born Robert Hall Parber on October 16, 1947, Weir was raised by adoptive parents in Atherton, California. He struggled in school, in part because of undiagnosed dyslexia, but found his direction through music. At age 16, he met Garcia in the San Francisco Bay Area. Together they formed a band called the Warlocks, which soon evolved into the Grateful Dead.

Weir was the youngest member of the original lineup, which included bassist Phil Lesh, drummer Bill Kreutzmann and organist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Lesh later recalled that he and Garcia had to promise Weir’s mother they would make sure the teenager attended school if she allowed him to stay in the band.

The group released its debut album, The Grateful Dead, in 1967. Although Weir was briefly dismissed in 1968 amid concerns about his guitar skills, he soon returned and became a central contributor. By the time of the band’s landmark 1970 albums Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, his role was firmly established.

In 1972, Weir released his solo album Ace, which featured other members of the Grateful Dead and included several songs that became staples of the band’s live shows. Many of his best-known works were written with lyricist John Perry Barlow, a longtime collaborator and friend.

After Garcia’s death in 1995, Weir continued performing and recording, leading projects such as his band RatDog and taking part in various reunions of surviving Grateful Dead members. While his solo career was often overshadowed by the band’s legacy, Weir remained an active and respected presence on the touring circuit.

In later years, he was also recognized for his humanitarian work. In 2017, Weir was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, supporting efforts to combat poverty and climate change.

Weir married Natascha Muenter in 1999, and the couple had two daughters.

Reflecting on his life, Weir once said, “Looking back, I guess I have lived an unusual life.” His influence on rock music, improvisation and live performance will continue to resonate with generations of fans known as Deadheads around the world.