Legendary Grateful Dead Guitarist Bob Weir Passes Away at 78
Bob Weir, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78. Weir’s passing was announced Saturday on his Instagram page.
The statement shared that Weir “transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer…Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues.”
Weir joined the Grateful Dead in San Francisco in 1965. For three decades, he toured with the band. He wrote or co-wrote some of the Dead’s most famous songs, including “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night” and “Mexicali Blues.”
Weir continued to perform in the years following the death of Jerry Garcia.
The Instagram statement noted, “For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road…Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music.”
With Weir’s death, Bill Kreutzmann is now the sole surviving original member of the Grateful Dead. Phil Lesh, another founding member, passed away earlier this year.
The Grateful Dead celebrated their 60th anniversary in July with a series of concerts.
Weir often spoke of the joy he experienced through music. He felt honored to share that joy with others.
