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Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder, dies aged 78
The guitarist and pivotal figure in the iconic psychedelic rock band passed away following complications from cancer and lung issues, his family announced on Instagram.
Final moments and legacy
Weir died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, according to the statement. It described his departure as less an ending and more a continuation, quoting: "There is no final curtain here, not really. Only the sense of someone setting off again."
The post emphasized Weir's vision of a lasting musical legacy, noting his hope that the Grateful Dead's songbook would endure for centuries. "May that dream live on through future generations of Dead Heads," it added.
A career spanning six decades
Weir's journey began in 1965 when he co-founded the Grateful Dead, a band that became synonymous with San Francisco's counterculture movement. Their fusion of psychedelia, folk, and Americana reshaped rock music, earning them a reputation as pioneers of the jam band genre.
The band's influence was cemented with a 1994 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a 2007 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Their final official performance came in 1995 after the death of co-founder Jerry Garcia.
Life beyond the Grateful Dead
Even after the band's hiatus, Weir remained active in music. He participated in spin-off projects like Dead & Company, which held a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024 and 2025.
Diagnosed with cancer in July, Weir continued performing during treatment. His family described these final shows as "emotional, soulful, and full of light," calling them "gifts" rather than farewells. The post confirmed he had overcome the cancer before his death, though the specific type was not disclosed.
Tributes pour in
Weir's family, including his wife Natascha and daughters Shala and Chloe, requested privacy but expressed gratitude for the global outpouring of support.
Tributes flooded in from fellow musicians and landmarks. The Empire State Building honored him by illuminating its facade in tie-dye colors. Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash shared a photo of Weir on stage with a simple "RIP" and a broken-heart emoji.
"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."
Don Felder, former Eagles guitarist
Dennis McNally, Weir's former publicist, spoke to the BBC about his enduring passion for music. "He had a very off-kilter, unusual sense of humor that was dry and funny," McNally said. "The road was his life, and music was his life. He believed playing and serving the music was what he was put on Earth for-and he did it to the end."
