Thousands of individuals gathered at San Francisco’s Civic Center on Saturday to honor Bob Weir, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, who passed away at the age of 78. The event featured speeches by musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer on a makeshift stage in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, following a Tibetan prayer by four Buddhist monks.
Attendees brought long-stemmed red roses, placed them at an altar adorned with photos and candles, and wrote heartfelt notes on colored paper expressing gratitude and love for Weir. Many fans requested him to convey greetings to late fellow bandmates Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, who were also founding members of the Grateful Dead. Garcia passed away in 1995, while Lesh in 2024.
“I’m here to pay tribute to Bob Weir,” shared Ruthie Garcia, a fan since 1989, emphasizing the significance of celebrating Weir’s life and guiding him on his journey.
The diverse crowd at the gathering included fans sporting dreadlocks and tie-dye attire, alongside young couples, individuals in their twenties, and a father who brought his six-year-old son to impart a love for live music and the close-knit Deadhead community to the next generation.
Having joined the Grateful Dead at the age of 17 in 1965, Weir, a native of the Bay Area, contributed to the band’s repertoire by writing, co-writing, and singing lead vocals on beloved tracks such as “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” Despite his initially less shaggy appearance compared to his bandmates, Weir later adopted a long beard reminiscent of Jerry Garcia’s.
The Grateful Dead’s distinctive blend of blues, jazz, country, folk, and psychedelia in extended improvisational performances drew dedicated Deadheads who followed the band on tours. Even after Garcia’s passing, the group continued to perform, evolving into Dead & Company with the inclusion of John Mayer.
Attendee Darla Sagos, who rushed from Seattle to attend the public memorial, noted the absence of new concert announcements following Dead & Company’s performances in San Francisco last summer, raising suspicions among fans. The community remains committed to carrying on the music and legacy, ensuring that Weir’s influence endures through future generations.
Weir’s death was announced on his Instagram account on January 10, attributing his passing to underlying lung complications after successfully battling cancer. Survived by his wife and two daughters, who were present at the event, Weir’s daughter Monet Weir described his passing as unforeseen but stressed her father’s belief in the unifying power of American music, emphasizing his wish for the music and the Grateful Dead’s legacy to endure beyond his lifetime.
In her words, “The show must go on.”