bob weirco-founder of the legendary rock band Grateful Deadhis family announced that he passed away on January 10, 2026 at the age of 78.
The news of Weir’s death was confirmed in a statement on his official website, which said that he had “passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones after a brave battle with cancer, as only Bobby could do,” but that he ultimately passed away due to underlying health conditions. The guitarist and singer helped define the Grateful Dead’s sound in the music world for more than 60 years, and will continue to grace the stage until the anniversary performance in 2025.
Read more about his life, career, and accomplishments below.
Bob Weir was a founding member of the Grateful Dead
Weir co-founded the Grateful Dead in 1965. jerry garcia, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Weir was the band’s rhythm guitarist and frequent lead vocalist, helping define the improvisational jam band sound. He sang and co-wrote fan favorite songs. “Sugar Magnolia”,””another saturday night,” and “truck inHe participated in groundbreaking albums including “. workingman’s dead, american beautyand europe ’72.
He continued to perform for over 60 years
After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir continued to tour and perform with various projects including Ratdog, Furthur, and Dead & Company, keeping the band’s music alive for decades. He will be performing in 2025, celebrating his 60th anniversary in music.
A statement shared on his website reflects his lasting impact, saying, “His work didn’t just fill a room with music. It was a warm ray of sunshine that filled the soul, built community, created a language, and filled the feelings of family that generations of fans will carry with them. Every chord he played, every word he sung, was an integral part of the story he weaved. There was an invitation to feel, to question, to wander, to belong.”
He added: “There’s no final act here, there really isn’t. There’s just a sense of someone starting again. He often spoke of his 300 years of service and was determined to ensure that his songbook was long behind him. May that dream live on in future generations of Dead Heads. And we see him off down the path he set so many of us down. It’s a celebration, not an end. A reward for a life worth living.”
Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead receive music industry’s highest honor
Weir and Grateful Dead His influence on American music is widely known. The band is rock hall of fame In 1994, he established himself as one of rock’s most influential artists. In 2007, Weir and his bandmates grammy awards The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes decades of contributions to the industry.
Recently, Weir Kennedy Center Honorsreflecting his lasting cultural influence beyond the original era of the Grateful Dead.
He was married to Natasha Muenter and had two daughters
wea got married Natasha Munter The couple lived together for over 25 years until his death. They had two daughters. Shara Mone Weir and chloe caelia weirwho survived him.
Bob Weir battled cancer
Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July 2025. He battled and reportedly “overcame” the illness, but later succumbed to underlying lung conditions and passed away at the age of 78, surrounded by his loved ones.
