Bob Weir, co‑founder, rhythm guitarist and one of the Grateful Dead’s principal vocalists, has died at 78, his family said in a statement posted to his verified Instagram account. The family requested privacy and expressed appreciation for the “outpouring of love, support, and remembrance.”Weir’s role in American music was both practical and symbolic. He led RatDog and later joined Dead & Company, which drew new audiences and anchored a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in 2024-25. Fellow musicians offered tributes online, and landmarks and fans marked the moment in displays of color and remembrance, reflecting the Grateful Dead’s rare blend of grassroots community and marketable brand. For many, Weir’s music and persona embodied a broader countercultural ethic that emphasized communal experience, improvisation and longevity in a music business often focused on the new.

Source: Indian Express January 11, 2026 14:11 UTC