Bob Weir Dies at Age 78

On or around January 10, 2026, Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away at age 78. Even though "The Dead" were a band of the 70s, Weir's influence still lives on and will probably continue long after his passing. The Grateful Dead were not just a band, they were an attitude and beyond that a way of life. Being a "Dead Head" was like being part of a tribe, but one without any birthright requirements. For this was not something you were born into, but a state of mind acquired by live music, recreational drug use and a heavy dose of independent living.

Actually, the Dead got their start in the sixties, when Weir was just a teenager. The beginning has become part of rock legend, as it happened back in 1963 on New Year's Eve in Palo Alto, California. It so happens that on that very day, Bob Weir was wandering around Bay Area town with a friend, where they chanced upon a music store, where Jerry Garcia was playing his banjo. Bob just happened to have his guitar with him and decided to sit down and jam with Jerry. The impromptu session went well and quickly lead to the formation of Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions. In 1965, the group renamed themselves, The Warlocks. They gain a local following due to their role as the house band for Ken Kesey's public LSD parties. Soon thereafter, the group became the Grateful Dead and history was made.

Death in the Forest, mixed media drawing by author

"The Dead", as they were most often called, got their first recording contract in 1967, when vinyl was everything, and the market was good for counter culture music makers. Through the remainder of the sixties, the Dead released several albums of acid-rock instrumentals and blues numbers, much to the chagrin of their agents, who were hoping for songs with lyrics. In 1970, the Dead broke the jam mold with two albums based in country-rock. They were called "American Beauty" and "Workingman's Dead" and both sold well, This move not only delighted Warner Brothers, but also vastly increased the Dead's popularity (and their net worth). With Bob Weir, as rhythm guitarist, singer and occasional lyricist, the band went on to reach new heights, both with their recordings and live tours.

From the meager beginning in Palo Alto until their break-up in 1995, Bob Weir was an integral part of the band. Known for wearing "hot pants" on stage and providing good guitar and vocal backups for Jerry Garcia, Weir helped make the band shine. Bob Weir might best be remembered as the glue that kept the band together and moving forward, as the world around them changed dramatically. He will also remembered as one of the many music icons that emerged from the creative crucible of the Bay Area in the late sixties.

The "Dead" performing their classic "USA Blues" at Orchard Park, NY underscores the band's fascination with Americana.

Bob Weir in 2010.

Above is the album cover art for the original Grateful Dead album. It was done by Alton Kelley (usually referred to as just Kelley), who was one of several artist, working to create the Grateful Dead iconography.

Also of importance was the visual art of Stanley Mouse. He is featured in the center picture above, while the remaining images depict examples of his art work. Not only did Mr. Mouse create fantastic scenes for "the Dead", but he also did airbrush designs for cars and trucks. He is well known for the Eric Clapton car that he once decorated with his wild graphics. He also participated in many corroborative projects with Alton Kelley.