Bob Weir, guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, has died at 78

"A member of the Dead for its first three decades, and a keeper of the flame of the band's legacy for three more, Weir helped to write a new chapter of American popular music that influenced countless other musicians and brought together an enormous and loyal audience. The Grateful Dead's touring, bootlegging and merchandising set an example that helped initiate the jam-band scene. Its concerts created a community that brought together generations of followers."

"Known to fans as "Bobby," he was born in San Francisco as Robert Hall Parber, but was given up for adoption and raised by Frederick and Eleanor Weir. In 1964, when he was still a teenager, Weir joined guitarist Jerry Garcia in a folk music band, Mother Mcree's Uptown Jug Band. In May of 1965 Weir and Garcia were joined by bassist Phil Lesh, keyboard player Ron "Pigpen" McKernan and drummer Bill Kreutzmann"

Bob Weir died at 78 from underlying lung issues after recently beating cancer. He was a founding member, guitarist and songwriter of the Grateful Dead and remained central to the band's legacy for decades. Weir helped shape a chapter of American popular music that influenced countless musicians and built an enormous, loyal audience. The Grateful Dead's touring, bootlegging and merchandising practices helped initiate the jam-band scene and fostered concerts that created a multigenerational community. Born Robert Hall Parber in San Francisco and raised by Frederick and Eleanor Weir, he joined Jerry Garcia in early folk and electric bands that evolved into the Grateful Dead. Weir's singular rhythm guitar style supported Garcia's explorations and his lyric work was part of a communal songwriting effort.

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