SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Thousands of admirers convened on Saturday at San Francisco’s Civic Center 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 memorial took place in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, showcasing a deep appreciation for Weir's enduring impact on music and culture.
The event began with an opening prayer in Tibetan led by four Buddhist monks. Following the prayer, musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer spoke from a makeshift stage. Fans, many of whom wore tie-dye clothing and sported long dreadlocks, brought long-stemmed red roses to the gathering. Some roses were placed at an altar adorned with photos and candles, while attendees expressed their love and gratitude through written notes on colored paper. Some fans even asked Weir to say hello to his late bandmates, Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, both founding members of the Grateful Dead who had preceded him in death. Garcia died in 1995, while Lesh passed away in 2024.
Ruthie Garcia, a fan since 1989, shared her sentiments at the event, stating, “I’m here to celebrate Bob Weir. Celebrating him and helping him go home.” The gathering attracted a diverse array of fans, including families, young couples, and individuals in their twenties, all united by a shared love for live music and the close-knit community surrounding the Grateful Dead.
Bob Weir, a native of the Bay Area, joined the Grateful Dead — originally known as the Warlocks — in 1965 at merely 17 years of age. Over his illustrious career, he wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on many Dead classics, including “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” Although he was initially recognized for his less shaggy appearance compared to other band members, Weir grew a long beard similar to Garcia's later in life.
The music of the Grateful Dead was eclectic, blending blues, jazz, country, folk, and psychedelia, characterized by extended improvisational jams. Their concerts drew dedicated fans known as Deadheads, many of whom followed the band on tour. After Garcia’s death, the band evolved into Dead & Company, featuring John Mayer among its members.
Darla Sagos, who had flown in from Seattle for the memorial, remarked on the unusual absence of new gig announcements in the months leading up to Weir’s passing. “We were hoping that everything was OK and that we were going to get more music from him,” she expressed. “But we will continue the music, with all of us and everyone that’s going to be playing it.” She and her husband, Adam Sagos, have a one-year-old grandson whom they plan to introduce to the legacy of the Grateful Dead's music.
Weir’s passing was officially announced on January 10 via a statement on his Instagram account. It revealed that although he had overcome cancer, he ultimately succumbed to underlying lung issues. Weir is survived by his wife and two daughters, both of whom were present at the memorial. His daughter, Monet Weir, noted that her father’s death was sudden and unexpected, yet he had always wished for the music and legacy of the Grateful Dead to endure. “The show must go on,” Monet said, encapsulating her father’s belief in the unifying power of music.
