SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Thousands of fans gathered at San Francisco's Civic Center on Saturday to honor the life of Bob Weir, the iconic guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away last week at the age of 78. The event was a poignant tribute to a musician whose impact on the music world and the hearts of his fans remains profound.
Musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer addressed the crowd from a makeshift stage in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, following an opening prayer by four Tibetan Buddhist monks. Attendees, many dressed in tie-dye clothing and sporting long dreadlocks, carried long-stemmed red roses, some of which were placed at an altar adorned with photographs and candles honoring Weir. Fans expressed their affection and gratitude on colorful paper notes, celebrating the journey that Weir had taken them on through his music.
Many fans expressed sentiments of reunion, with several asking Weir to say hello to his late bandmates, singer and guitarist Jerry Garcia, who died in 1995, and bass guitarist Phil Lesh, who passed away in 2024. Ruthie Garcia, a long-time fan since 1989, shared her reason for attending: “I’m here to celebrate Bob Weir, celebrating him and helping him go home.”
The celebration attracted a diverse crowd, from older fans with walkers to younger couples and a father bringing his 6-year-old son to share a love of live music and the vibrant Deadhead community. Bob Weir’s journey began in 1965 at the tender age of 17, when he joined the Grateful Dead, originally known as the Warlocks, in San Francisco. He contributed significantly to the band’s legacy, writing or co-writing classics such as “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” Despite adopting a long beard reminiscent of Garcia’s in his later years, Weir was known for a cleaner appearance compared to the other members.
The Grateful Dead’s music blended genres like blues, jazz, country, folk, and psychedelia, captivating audiences through long improvisational jams. The band fostered a dedicated following, known as Deadheads, who traveled across the country to attend concerts. Following Garcia's death, the group evolved into Dead & Company, featuring John Mayer, continuing the legacy of their unique sound.
Darla Sagos, a devoted fan who flew in from Seattle for the event, recalled her growing concern when no new performances were announced after Dead & Company played three shows in San Francisco the previous summer. She commented, “We were hoping that everything was OK and that we were going to get more music from him.” Darla and her husband share a one-year-old grandson, affirming their wish to pass the love of Weir's music to the next generation.
Weir’s daughter, Monet Weir, conveyed the unexpected nature of her father’s passing, which was initially announced via a statement on his Instagram account on January 10, 2026. Although he had overcome cancer, he succumbed to underlying lung issues. Monet highlighted her father's belief in the power of music to unite people, stating, “The show must go on.”
Bob Weir's legacy continues to resonate with fans and musicians alike, reflected in the heartfelt tributes and celebration of his life during the memorial event in San Francisco. His music not only shaped the landscape of rock and roll but also created a community of love and connection that transcends generations.
