Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, the rhythm guitarist whose laid-back vocals and adventurous riffs helped define the sound of the 1960s counterculture, has died at 78.
His family confirmed that Weir “transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones” after beating cancer last year, but ultimately “succumbed to underlying lung issues.”
Born in San Francisco on Oct. 16, 1947, Weir was just a teenager when he helped launch the Grateful Dead and the psychedelic “San Francisco sound” that would soundtrack the late ’60s and early ’70s. For more than six decades, he lived on the road, turning endless tours into a way of life for generations of devoted Deadheads.
“As a musician, bandmate, and friend, Bobby was a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music,” his family said in a statement, adding that his work created “a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them.”
Weir’s career brought a long list of honors: he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the Grateful Dead in 1994 and celebrated again in 2024 when the band received the Kennedy Center Honors. Just a year later, in 2025, he took the stage in Los Angeles to accept the MusiCares Person of the Year award on behalf of the group.
The tributes were immediate and emotional. In New York City, the Empire State Building lit up in a tie-dye color scheme to honor his life and legacy, a towering nod to the swirl of color and sound he helped unleash on American culture.
Friends and famous fans shared their memories online. TV host Andy Cohen called him “impossibly beautiful and wildly fiery, intense, and passionate,” adding that Weir always described Jerry Garcia’s death as “checkin’ out” — a phrase Cohen now uses for Weir himself, saying his music will “live gloriously forever.” Sean Ono Lennon called knowing him “a great pleasure and a privilege,” while Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash posted a simple broken-heart emoji alongside a photo of the late musician.
Weir’s death leaves drummer Bill Kreutzmann as the only surviving founding member of the Grateful Dead. Longtime drummer Mickey Hart, who joined the band in 1967, is the only other surviving core member.
Offstage, Weir was a husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Natascha Münter, and their daughters, Monet and Chloe. The family has asked for privacy and thanked fans for the outpouring of love and memories.
“May we honor him not only in sorrow,” their statement reads, “but in how bravely we continue with open hearts, steady steps, and the music leading us home. Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.”