Bob Weir dead at 78: Grateful Dead founding member and guitarist passes after cancer battle

Grateful Dead guitarist and founding member Bob Weir has died at the age of 78, the news confirmed in a statement on his official Instagram account.

The post revealed that Weir passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, after battling cancer and ultimately succumbing to underlying lung issues.

‘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. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues,’ the message read.

‘Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music,; the statement added. ‘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. 

‘Every chord he played, every word he sang was an integral part of the stories he wove. There was an invitation: to feel, to question, to wander, and to belong.’

Weir had been diagnosed with cancer last summer, shortly before headlining a series of shows at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Grateful Dead guitarist and founding member Bob Weir has died at the age of 78, the news confirmed in a statement on his official Instagram account

His musical journey began at just 16, when he wandered into a Palo Alto music store following the sound of a banjo and met Jerry Garcia, who was strumming inside; (The Grateful Dead pose on the corner of 20th and Connecticut in Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California, circa 1965. Left to right: Phil Lesh, Jerry Garcia (1942 – 1995), Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan (1946 – 1973), Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann)

His musical journey began at just 16, when he wandered into a Palo Alto music store following the sound of a banjo and met Jerry Garcia, who was strumming inside.

The pair played together all night, sparking the formation of The Grateful Dead alongside Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann –  the band’s five founding members.

This is a developing story…