Posted on 01/10/2026 4:30:37 PM PST by nickcarraway
Bob Weir, a founding member of the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78, his family announced Saturday.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir," his family wrote in a post to his Instagram page. "He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues."
In the statement, the family disclosed that Weir had been diagnosed with cancer in July.
"As we remember Bobby, it's hard not to feel the echo of the way he lived," his family wrote. "A man driftin' and dreamin', never worrying if the road would lead him home. A child of countless trees. A child of boundless seas."
Weir formed the Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia after the two met in 1963 as teens in Palo Alto, California. The band, with its unique mix of blues, folk and jazz, became a touring powerhouse for decades until Garcia's death in 1995.
Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
The group eventually reformed a few years after Garcia's death and took many iterations over the years, the latest as Dead & Company.
"For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road," his family's statement said. "A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music. His work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them."
Same with The Allman Brothers.
Jaimoe the drummer is the only remaining founding member.
Kreutzmann is the last of the founding 5. Hart joined couple of years later for 4 years, then out for 3 years then back through today.
Tom Constanten joined in 1968 for 3 years, then left. He is the 3rd surviving 1960s member.
z
And Artemus Pyle survived the Skynyrd crash and is still with us.
He’s Gone
Rat in a drain ditch, caught on a limb
You know better but I know him
Like I told you, what I said
Steal your face right off your head
Now he’s gone
Now he’s gone, Lord, he’s gone
He’s gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He’s gone, he’s gone
And nothing’s gonna bring him back
He’s gone
Nine-mile skid on a ten-mile ride
Hot as a pistol but cool inside
Cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile
Now he’s gone
Now he’s gone, Lord, he’s gone
He’s gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He’s gone, he’s gone
And nothing’s gonna bring him back
He’s gone
Going where the wind don’t blow so strange
Maybe off on some high cold mountain chain
Lost one round but the price wasn’t anything
A knife in the back and more of the same
Same old rat in a drain ditch, caught on a limb
You know better but I know him
Like I told you, what I said
Steal your face right off your head
Now he’s gone
Now he’s gone, Lord, he’s gone
He’s gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He’s gone, he’s gone
And nothing’s gonna bring him back
He’s gone
Like a steam locomotive rolling down the track
He’s gone, he’s gone
And nothing’s gonna bring him back
He’s gone
Ooh, nothing’s gonna bring him back
Ooh, nothing’s gonna bring him back
Ooh, nothing’s gonna bring him back
Ooh, nothing’s gonna bring him back
I wondered about that, thanks
Never understood the fascination with their music. People went to their shows to drop acid and act like idiots.
Damn.... a decent guy. I enjoyed so many of his songs. I was lucky enough to see his first show after Jerry died. He got really choked up a few times in a song where Jerry would normally hit.
And at that time, he was quite a bit younger than the others. But he turned out to be pillar.
Heat Gone
Garcia Hunter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFqNGWZrlh8
Rest In Peace, Bobby and Thank You.....
Em. Heat gone is auto.
He’s Gone is the name of the tune
Artemus was a Marine and served honorably. Left the USMC in 71 or so. Was a sergeant aviation mechanic. Swing with the wing...
Cool.
I’m a big GD fan, I never saw him in concert, but I think I saw him in person. On Route 1 in Guilford, CT there is a head shop called Sunshine Daydream. I was driving by a couple years ago a a skinny old guy with a big white beard was taking a selfie in front of the place. I turned around, but by the time I got there he was gone. He was doing shows in the area at the time.
garbage music for hippy degenerate druggies. I wonder if he’s really proud of his degenerate life and all of the young people’s lives his music influenced now that he stands before his Creator.
Matthew 18:7
Matthew 7:1
Most of my attendance at Dead concerts were after I got sober. I mostly enjoyed the older tunes. I always thought Bob was one of rocks’ best rhythm guitarists.
I was and am. Profoundly sad.
Yeah, like in Sugar Magnolia...
(cued up to best close camera shot of Bob)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkmtOGAsCmE&t=105s
May he rest in peace
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.