Rockers + Fans Pay Tribute to Grateful Dead Co-Founder Bob Weir

Yesterday (Jan. 10), Loudwire reported that Grateful Dead guitarist/vocalist Bob Weir has “died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer and lung issues.” Since then, numerous rockers and fans – as well as The Empire State Building – have paid tribute to the legendary Grateful Dead co-founder.

What Rockers Have Said About Bob Weir

Dozens of musicians have shared memories of and gratitude toward Weir on social media over the weekend.

One of the most in-depth and heartfelt tributes came from Phish frontman Trey Anastasio, who wrote:

Sad to hear that my friend Bobby has passed on. This one really hurts. I really loved him. He was a sweet, kind, gentle friend, and I never believed this would happen so soon.

I knew Bobby for many years, but it was in the lead-up to Fare Thee Well that we really became close. I went out to his beach house, and we spent three nights there alone, just the two of us: playing guitar, cooking scrambled eggs, listening to records, working out, talking, and walking on the beach.  We went out to dinner together, and he let me drive his new car. That was also when I first met Tascha, whom I love so much. Tascha, my heart is with you, Monet and Chloe today.

Bobby told me incredible stories about his life during those days at the beach house. He told me how he was still in high school when the first acid test happened. When it was over, the sun came out, and he had to do his math homework as he raced back to school on the train. He said after the second or third acid test, he looked down at his homework and said, “Nah.” And that was it. The rest of his life was on the road, in the Grateful Dead and other bands.

He told me stories about working on those classic Dead songs, what music the band was listening to as the songs were coming together. He said that when they were learning “Uncle John’s Band,” they were listening to the first CSN album and trying to harmonize like them. When they were learning “Help on the Way,” they were trying to sound like the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I found all of that endlessly fascinating.

Bobby was completely allergic to compliments in the most endearing way. I’d say, “Man, that guitar riff you were doing on that song sounded really killer” and he’d respond, “Well, I’m sure I’ll fuck it up next time.” I loved that about him. (continued in comments)

Elsewhere, Smashing Pumpkins mastermind Billy Corgan simply said, “God bless Bob Weir,” just like Creedence Clearwater Revival head John Fogerty succinctly reflected: “Thanks for taking us all along on the musical trip, Bob. I’ll never forget sharing the stage with you especially that night in Oakland in ’89, I’ll miss you, Bob Weir. Rest easy.”

Iconic guitarist Joe Satriani posted a photo of them together alongside this caption: “It was an honor to know you and share the stage with you. Safe travels. R.I.P. Bob Weir.” Similarly, Sean Ono Lennon initially wrote, “It was a great pleasure and a privilege to know you brother. @BobWeir R.I.P.” and then tweeted a follow-up statement: “He will be missed. Bob Weir R.I.P.”

As for Bob Dylan, he shared a photo of himself on stage with Weir and late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia.

You can see those reactions from rockers – and more – below:

READ MORE: Study Shows Which Bands Have the Most Valuable Vintage T-Shirts

What Fans Have Said About Bob Weir

Naturally, just as many fans of the Grateful Dead – and Weir in general – posted about Weir’s passing, too.

For example, Governor Gavin Newsom remarked: “Bob Weir was a true son of California who helped create the soundtrack of a generation. He was — and will always be — a king of psychedelic rock. Bob will be deeply missed, and his music will forever live on.”

Likewise, music photographer Josh Shreaer uploaded a photo of Weir and Taylor Smith, captioning: “This is the last time I photographed Bobby. For those who don’t know, our daughter Stella Blue was named after a Grateful Dead song, and they’ve made a huge impact on my life. This picture represents my two worlds colliding. RIP Bob Weir.”

Lastly, comedian/actor Jeffrey Ross said that Weir “could not have been cooler,” elaborating:

One night me, Bob Saget, Gilbert Gottfried and Louie Anderson performed at a tribute to Joan Rivers at the Kennedy Center. Dead & Company happen to be in town and we all met up afterwards for a drink. I’ll always be grateful to John Mayer for bringing us all together for this special not as random as it looks moment.

You can see those reactions – and more – below:

More About Bob Weir’s Life + Passing

Bob Weir was born in San Francisco, Calif. on October 16, 1947, and he co-founded the Grateful Dead in 1965.

As Loudwire wrote upon reporting his passing, Weir helped the band become “early leaders of San Francisco’s fertile ’60s psychedelic rock” who “challenged the accepted music industry paradigm by becoming better known for their expansive, always-changing live shows than for their recorded output.” As one of a few members who stayed in the band from the beginning until the end (in 1995), he contributed to every studio album and most – if not all – of their live releases.

Unsurprisingly, the group influenced countless other artists along the way (such as Phish, The Disco Biscuits, The String Cheese Incident, Dave Matthews Band, Wilco and The National).

The news of Weir’s death was made via a statement shared by his family, who revealed that he was diagnosed with lung issues and cancer in July of 2025. Loudwire continued: “Despite starting his treatment just weeks earlier, the guitarist played with the band’s most recent offshoot Dead and Company in August at a three-night series of shows celebrating the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary in their hometown of San Francisco.”

Lastly, Loudwire clarified: “Weir’s death leaves drummer Bill Kreutzmann as the only surviving founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bassist Phil Lesh died in 2024, singer and keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan died in 1973. (Longtime drummer Mickey Hart joined the group in 1967.)”

Of course, everyone at Loudwire sends our condolences to Weir’s family, friends and fans.