Bob Weir, Grateful Dead co-founder and guitarist, dies at 78 years previous | USAEMALL.com

Bob Weir, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, has died at 78 years old, a statement from his family on his Instagram page confirmed.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could,” the statement said, adding that he succumbed to lung problems.   

“For over sixty years, Bobby took to the road,” the statement continued. “A guitarist, vocalist, storyteller, and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music.”

GRATEFUL DEAD SINGER WHO WORKED WITH ELVIS PRESLEY ON HIT SONG DIES AT 78 AFTER CANCER BATTLE

Bob Weir, co-founder of The Grateful Dead, has died at 78 years old, a statement from his family on his Instagram page confirmed. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

His family wrote that his “work did more than fill rooms with music; it was warm sunlight that filled the soul, building a community, a language, and a feeling of family that generations of fans carry with them.”

The post continued, adding that Weir received his diagnosis in July and began treatment just weeks before he performed a weekend of shows at Golden Gate Park in celebration of 60 years of music.

“Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts,” the post read. “Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design. As we remember Bobby, it’s hard not to feel the echo of the way he lived. A man driftin’ and dreamin’, never worrying if the road would lead him home. A child of countless trees. A child of boundless seas. “

Weir is survived by his wife Natascha and their two daughters, Monet and Chloe.

GRATEFUL DEAD’S JERRY GARCIA WAS INTIMIDATED BY GUITAR LEGEND MICHAEL BLOOMFIELD: BOOK

Weir founded the Grateful Dead with Jerry Garcia, who he met in 1963. (Chris Walter/WireImage)

In the post, the family spoke of Weir’s determination “to ensure the songbook would endure long after him” and said “he often spoke of a three-hundred-year legacy.” It is their hope that his dream will “live on through future generations of Dead Heads.”

The musician met and befriended Jerry Garcia in 1963 at 16 years old. The two formed a music group and, after cycling through a few names, settled on the Grateful Dead in 1965.

As a member of the group, Weir wrote many of their most famous songs, with his friend, John Perry Barlow, including “Sugar Magnolia,” “Playing in the Band,” “One More Saturday Night” and many others. In addition to his work with the Grateful Dead, he also released three solo albums.

The Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995 following the death of Garcia, and 20 years later, Weir came together with drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, and musician John Mayer to form Dead & Company, touring with them from 2015 to 2018. The group came together a few more times in 2023, 2024 and 2025. 

GRATEFUL DEAD’S ‘HELL IN A BUCKET’ DUCK GOT DRUNK ON SET, PAL POINTS TO WHO LIKELY MAKE IT HAPPEN

Weir teamed up with other musicians, including John Mayer to form Dead & Company. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Fans of the Grateful Dead took to the comments section to mourn the musician, with one writing, “Thank you Bobby. We will carry you and the music with us forever,” and another adding, “Thank you for the music.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“Watch What Happens Live!” host, and Grateful Dead fan, Andy Cohen, also shared his thoughts in the comments section, writing, “Bobby will live through the music and the people who love it around the world forever. What a gift he is for us all. We love you Weir family.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.