How is Bob Weir being remembered? Tributes pour in as the Grateful Dead founding guitarist dies at 78

The death of Bob Weir at 78 has landed heavily across the music scene. Weir was the guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead. He suffered from underlying lung issues. He had been diagnosed with cancer in July 2025.

Bob Weir's death was confirmed by his family via an official announcement. The family took to his official Instagram page to write,

"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately he succumbed to underlying lung issues."

They also added,

"There is no final curtain here, not really. Only the sense of someone setting off again."

It is worth noting that Bob Weir remained active into his late seventies. He appeared at the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary celebrations at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.. Those shows took place after his cancer diagnosis earlier. As he passed away at 78 tributes from musicians, fans and others continue to surface.

Who was Bob Weir?

Bob Weir was born in San Francisco and grew up in Northern California. At 16, he met Jerry Garcia. It eventually led to the formation of the Grateful Dead, with Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann. The band released 13 studio albums. Their fan base is known as Deadheads.

The Grateful Dead officially ended in 1995 after Garcia's death. However, Bob continued performing with other groups such as The Other Ones and The Dead. He also formed Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros in 2018.

In 2022, he played a series of shows at the Kennedy Center. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Grateful Dead in 1994 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Moreover, he was a United Nations Development Program Goodwill Ambassador and co-founded the Furthur Foundation.

Tributes pour in as the Grateful Dead co-founder dies at 78

Netizens and musicians were notably quick to weigh in on social media platforms to share their tributes to Bob Weir after the news of his death was confirmed. Andy Cohen has spoken often about his love for the Grateful Dead. He shared,

"Bob Weir was not The Other One, he was That Guy. He was impossibly beautiful and wildly fiery, intense and passionate. Nobody forgets their first Dead show and mine was in 1986 in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Bob was just a speck on the stage from where I was but man was his voice fierce and smooth it felt like rays of sunshine were coming out of his mouth and though I was all the way in the back I clocked his jean shorts and tan legs."

His post continued:

"Eleven years ago when Dead and Co. hit the road, Deadheads worldwide were gifted our songbook performed live in stadiums again. It felt like Brigadoon. I feel SO BLESSED to have gotten to know Bob and the equally wondrous Weir family through my friendship with John. He came on WWHL a few times and when he talked about Jerry's passing he referred to it as checkin' out. That felt so graceful a way to put it, and a testament to the fluidity of all us in this world. Bob checked out but his music is going to live gloriously forever, and so will he. One of the absolute coolest and best to ever do it. ⚡️"

Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder posted a photo with Weir and wrote:

"Just heard of the passing of Bob Weir. 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 Was played with Weir in Wolf Bros for seven years. He described their collaboration as "one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life." Was talked about Bob Weir's performances, writing:

"I can't believe that Bobby is gone. It seemed like he'd outlast all of us. Playing with him in the Wolf Bros over the past 7 years has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life. Night after night, he taught us how to approach music with fearlessness and unbridled soul pushing us beyond what we thought was musically possible. Every show was a transcendent adventure into the unknown.

"Every note he played and every word he sang was designed to bring comfort and joy to our audiences. The music he helped create over the last 60 years will continue to be felt for generations. As he sang in one of my favorite Dead songs, the music will never stop. It was an honor to play in his band and to be his friend. Heartfelt condolences go out to Natascha, Monet and Chloe and to all of the fans who considered him to be next of kin. We will miss him forever."

Notably, multiple tributes were about Weir's role as a guitarist. Micah Nelson described Bob Weir as "an imaginary character from some ancient cartoon, both fictional and hyper real." Nelson credited studying Weir's rhythm playing as part of his musical education. He also recalled backstage conversations and more.

Primus bassist Les Claypool called Bob Weir "one of the nicest humans I have ever met in the music world." Sean Ono Lennon shared a photo of himself playing music with Bob Weir, writing,

"It was a great pleasure and a privilege to know you, brother."

Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo chose to quote lyrics from Sugar Magnolia, one of the Grateful Dead's most beloved songs. He posted, "walking in the tall trees/ going where the wind goes/ blooming like a red rose/all caught up in sunlight," and ended with a "Thank you, Bob."

Bob Weir is survived by his wife, Natascha, and their daughters, Monet and Chloe. He was also a stepfather. Chloe Weir has occasionally shared glimpses of life with her father on social media. On the other hand, reports suggest that Monet has remained mostly out of the spotlight.

Rest in peace, Bob Weir.

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