TL;DR
Bob Weir, co‑founder, singer and guitarist of the Grateful Dead, has died at 78, his family said. They said he had beaten cancer but ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues; a precise date of death was not immediately provided.
What happened
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead and a central figure in the band’s six‑decade history, has died at 78, his family announced. According to the family statement, Weir had undergone treatment after a cancer diagnosis earlier in 2025 and returned to the stage for the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary concerts at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park before his health declined; the statement said he “transitioned peacefully” surrounded by loved ones and later succumbed to preexisting lung problems. Weir’s career included songwriting, lead and harmony vocals, and a distinctive rhythmic guitar style that helped shape the Dead’s blend of country, rock and extended improvisation. He continued performing in projects after Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995, including RatDog and Dead & Company, and remained active in various musical collaborations through the 2010s and 2020s.
Why it matters
- Weir was a co‑architect of the Grateful Dead’s sound and one of the group’s principal songwriters and vocalists.
- His playing and compositions helped popularize long-form improvisation and the jam‑band model in American music.
- He bridged multiple eras of the Dead, keeping the band’s repertoire alive through successor projects and collaborations.
- His death closes a chapter in rock history as surviving members of the era grow fewer, following recent losses among bandmates.
Key facts
- Age at death: 78.
- Family said he had beaten cancer but later succumbed to underlying lung issues; a precise date of death was not immediately available.
- Born Robert Hall Weir in San Francisco on October 16, 1947; he was adopted and raised in a Bay Area suburb.
- Started playing guitar at 13 and met Jerry Garcia in late 1965; their early acoustic group evolved into the electric Warlocks and then the Grateful Dead.
- Wrote or co‑wrote Dead staples including material that became known as “The Other One,” and solo songs such as “Playing in the Band,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Cassidy.”
- Key Grateful Dead albums during his tenure included Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty (1970).
- Led and participated in several post‑Garcia projects, including RatDog, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, and Dead & Company with John Mayer.
- Collapsed onstage in 2013 and later acknowledged struggles with painkiller addiction; he continued to perform in later years.
- The surviving Grateful Dead members received Kennedy Center honors in December 2024; the band marked its 60th anniversary with three nights at Golden Gate Park in August 2025, which were Weir’s final public performances.
What to watch next
- Announcements of public memorials, tributes or official commemorations — not confirmed in the source.
- Any statements or plans from surviving Grateful Dead members or collaborators regarding the band’s musical legacy — not confirmed in the source.
- Details about Weir’s estate, archives or potential reissues/box sets of unreleased material — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Grateful Dead: An American rock band formed in the mid‑1960s known for its eclectic style, extended live improvisation and a devoted fan community.
- Jam band: A type of rock group that emphasizes live improvisation, long sets and musical exploration rather than just short, radio‑oriented songs.
- RatDog: A musical project led by Bob Weir after the Grateful Dead’s primary era, performing a mix of Dead songs, covers and originals.
- Dead & Company: A band formed by former Grateful Dead members and other musicians to perform the Dead’s repertoire in later years.
- Kennedy Center Honors: An annual American honor recognizing lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
Reader FAQ
When did Bob Weir die?
His family announced his passing; a specific date of death was not immediately provided in the announcement.
What caused his death?
Family members said he had beaten cancer but ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues.
How old was he?
He was 78.
Were funeral or memorial plans announced?
Not confirmed in the source.
Will the Grateful Dead or surviving members continue performing?
Not confirmed in the source.
OBITUARY BOB WEIR, GRATEFUL DEAD CO-FOUNDER AND GUITARIST, DEAD AT 78 "Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music," statement announcing musician's death said By…
Sources
- Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir has died at age 78
- Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder and guitarist, dies at 78
- Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder, dies aged 78
- Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Co-Founder, Dies at 78
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