Bob Weir, guitarist, singer and founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died at the age of 78.
His daughter, Chloe Weir, confirmed Weir – who was diagnosed with cancer in July – died “peacefully, surrounded by loved ones” after developing “underlying lung issues”.
Weir was one of the group’s two frontmen and main vocalists for most of the band’s history. He joined the Grateful Dead – originally the Warlocks – in 1965 in San Francisco at just 17 years old.
He spent the next 30 years playing on endless tours.
It was Weir who sang the verses on the band’s trademark boogie anthem Truckin’ and who wrote such key songs as Sugar Magnolia, Playing In The Band and Jack Straw.
After the death of fellow co-founder and lead guitarist Jerry Garcia at the age of 53 in 1995, Weir carved out an interesting but neglected solo career – much of it with his band, RatDog.
He also participated in reunions of surviving Dead members in different configurations.
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He was linked to numerous other rock bands during his career, including Kingfish, Bobby And The Midnites, Furthur and in 2015 formed Dead & Company with a lineup of former Grateful Dead members.
Weir’s death leaves drummer Bill Kreutzmann as the only surviving original member. Founding bassist Phil Lesh died in 2024.
The band’s colourfully dressed followers became known as “Deadheads”.
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