For most of his career with the Grateful Dead, Bob Weir was affectionately known as "the Kid," a nickname that suited him down to the ground. He was just 16 when the band he would eventually become famous for was formed, and even back then, there was something undeniably charming about him - unlike some of his older bandmates, like Ron McKernan, who gave off an air of unpredictability, or Jerry Garcia, whose infamous photo was used in a Richard Nixon campaign broadcast. Weir's relationship with Garcia and bassist Phil Lesh was more akin to that of junior siblings, although it wasn't always easy - they even considered letting him go from the band on one occasion due to his playing skills.
Despite this brief moment of doubt, Weir proved himself to be an indispensable part of the Grateful Dead's sound and live performances. He brought a unique rhythm guitar style to the table, with alternate chords, harmonic pairings, and bursts of contrapuntal lead lines that were influenced by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. His large hands allowed him to play chords that others couldn't, making him an essential component of their distinctive sound.
Over time, Weir emerged as one of the band's principal songwriters, penning hits like "Born Cross-Eyed" and a key section of the epic jam "That's It for the Other One." He continued to write at an incredible rate in the early 70s, collaborating with Robert Hunter and John Perry Barlow on various projects. Weir's solo work was also notable, featuring both mellow ballads like "Jack Straw" and warbled country-rock like "The Music Never Stopped."
Despite his iconic status within the Grateful Dead, Weir often found himself overlooked in favor of his more flamboyant bandmates - a situation that left him somewhat bemused. As Jerry Garcia succumbed to addiction in the 80s, Weir took on an increasingly important role as the voice and creative force behind the remaining members of the band.
When it came time for the surviving Grateful Dead to reunite one last time for their 50th anniversary, Weir emerged as the chief custodian of the band's legacy. In collaboration with indie rockers The National, he curated a comprehensive tribute box set called Day of the Dead that showcased the immense influence of the Grateful Dead on contemporary music.
Weir also went on to form Dead & Company, featuring long-time friends like Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. This new iteration of the band proved to be incredibly successful - with their 2023 tour earning a staggering $115 million, they are now one of the highest-grossing touring acts in America.
But even as he navigated this whirlwind of success, Weir remained true to his artistic vision, experimenting with various side-projects like Wolf Bros. This new venture saw him collaborating with both Grateful Dead and solo material - most recently at the Royal Albert Hall, where they received a standing ovation for their epic performance.
In the end, it was clear that Weir had found his true calling not just as a member of the Grateful Dead but also as its chief chronicler and guardian. His vision for an eternal, ever-evolving entity - "something eternal" - seemed increasingly plausible, especially given his prophetic words about Dead & Company keeping the music alive long after he was gone.
Weir's passing would be a devastating blow to those who had come to cherish him as an artist, but it seems unlikely that his legacy will fade anytime soon. After all, "the music never stopped," and Weir was always at its heart.
Despite this brief moment of doubt, Weir proved himself to be an indispensable part of the Grateful Dead's sound and live performances. He brought a unique rhythm guitar style to the table, with alternate chords, harmonic pairings, and bursts of contrapuntal lead lines that were influenced by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. His large hands allowed him to play chords that others couldn't, making him an essential component of their distinctive sound.
Over time, Weir emerged as one of the band's principal songwriters, penning hits like "Born Cross-Eyed" and a key section of the epic jam "That's It for the Other One." He continued to write at an incredible rate in the early 70s, collaborating with Robert Hunter and John Perry Barlow on various projects. Weir's solo work was also notable, featuring both mellow ballads like "Jack Straw" and warbled country-rock like "The Music Never Stopped."
Despite his iconic status within the Grateful Dead, Weir often found himself overlooked in favor of his more flamboyant bandmates - a situation that left him somewhat bemused. As Jerry Garcia succumbed to addiction in the 80s, Weir took on an increasingly important role as the voice and creative force behind the remaining members of the band.
When it came time for the surviving Grateful Dead to reunite one last time for their 50th anniversary, Weir emerged as the chief custodian of the band's legacy. In collaboration with indie rockers The National, he curated a comprehensive tribute box set called Day of the Dead that showcased the immense influence of the Grateful Dead on contemporary music.
Weir also went on to form Dead & Company, featuring long-time friends like Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. This new iteration of the band proved to be incredibly successful - with their 2023 tour earning a staggering $115 million, they are now one of the highest-grossing touring acts in America.
But even as he navigated this whirlwind of success, Weir remained true to his artistic vision, experimenting with various side-projects like Wolf Bros. This new venture saw him collaborating with both Grateful Dead and solo material - most recently at the Royal Albert Hall, where they received a standing ovation for their epic performance.
In the end, it was clear that Weir had found his true calling not just as a member of the Grateful Dead but also as its chief chronicler and guardian. His vision for an eternal, ever-evolving entity - "something eternal" - seemed increasingly plausible, especially given his prophetic words about Dead & Company keeping the music alive long after he was gone.
Weir's passing would be a devastating blow to those who had come to cherish him as an artist, but it seems unlikely that his legacy will fade anytime soon. After all, "the music never stopped," and Weir was always at its heart.
. Bob Weir's story is like one of its branches - it has its ups and downs 
, but ultimately, it's strong & resilient 
.
. He was never just "the Kid" anymore 
; he became a vital part of their sound & legacy 
.
. With Weir at the helm, they're able to keep the music alive while still experimenting & innovating 
.
. Bob Weir's story is like a chapter in the Grateful Dead's history book - and his legacy will continue to be written long after he's gone 
.
. However, it's clear now that Weir's understated yet profound presence was the backbone of the band's sound and creative output 
. His ability to blend jazz influences with folk-rock sensibilities created a unique sonic identity for the Grateful Dead, one that continues to resonate with new generations of music lovers 
. From the mellow introspection of "Jack Straw" to the country-rock intensity of "The Music Never Stopped," Weir's versatility is a testament to his boundless creativity 
.
. This new iteration of the band has proven that the Grateful Dead's music remains vital and relevant, a living, breathing entity that continues to inspire new fans and fuel Weir's creative spirit 
.
.
I JUST THINK BOB WEIR WAS SUCH A COOL CAT, YOU KNOW? HE CAME INTO THE GRATEFUL DEAD WHEN HE WAS YOUNG AND ALREADY HAD THIS SPECIAL VIBE ABOUT HIM. HE WAS LIKE THE ULTIMATE JUNIOR SIBLING TO GARCIA AND LESH! 
AND HOW AMAZING IS IT THAT HE WAS SUCH A KEY PART OF THE BAND'S SOUND, WRITING SO MANY CLASSIC TUNES LIKE "BORN CROSS-EYED" AND HELPING TO CREATE THOSE EPIC JAMS LIKE "THAT'S IT FOR THE OTHER ONE"? 
I FEEL BAD FOR HIM WHEN HE GOT OVERRATED FOR A BIT IN HIS EARLY YEARS, BUT HE PROVED THEM WRONG WITH ALL THE AMAZING MUSIC HE MADE ON HIS OWN. AND NOW HE'S PASSING ON THE BATON TO DEAD & COMPANY, WHICH IS KEEPING THE GRATEFUL DEAD SPIRIT ALIVE! 
still can't believe some people thought he wasn't the real deal back in the day. i mean, who else could pull off those epic guitar riffs and still manage to write hits like "born cross-eyed"? weir was always the unsung hero of the Grateful Dead, but his contributions to their sound and legacy are undeniable 
️. I've been meaning to try their avocado toast too - have you ever had it at one of those trendy cafes? 
I wonder if they put truffle oil on it or is it just regular ol' avocado 
and his influence on their unique sound is still felt today. I mean, can you imagine the Dead without him? it would've been a totally different story 
he went from being part of the grateful dead to becoming one of its chief chroniclers... and even after his passing, his legacy lives on 
it's clear that his love for music is what kept him going, and now that's keeping the spirit of the grateful dead alive too 
just reading about bob weir's journey from being the 'kid' in the grateful dead to becoming this iconic figure in music history is giving me LIFE!!!!!! 
. I also love how he kept pushing boundaries with his solo work and collaborations like Dead & Company – it's like he's always been ahead of the curve 
. Weir's legacy is going to live on forever, and that's something we can all learn from 
and penning hits like "Born Cross-Eyed" & "That's It for the Other One" is no joke, fam! 
it's wild how he continued 2 write & collaborate w/ other artists even after Jerry Garcia passed away. his legacy lives on thru Dead & Company & Day of the Dead & all the music hes still making 
he was so underrated in my opinion, like a behind-the-scenes rockstar who brought it all together with his rhythm guitar style... i mean can you imagine the band without him? 
weir's legacy will live on through his art and music, that's for sure...
it sounds like Weir's just trying to cling to his legacy. I mean, we all know music evolves and changes over time - it's impossible to freeze it in amber forever 
️ Still, if anyone can make it work, it's Weir. He's got a deep understanding of the Dead's sound and style that's unmatched.
