Thousands of individuals congregated at San Francisco’s Civic Center on Saturday to honor the memory of Bob Weir, the iconic guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead who passed away at 78 years old last week. Musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer delivered speeches on a makeshift stage in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium following a Tibetan prayer by four Buddhist monks to kick off the event. Attendees brought long-stemmed red roses, placing them at an altar adorned with photographs and candles, and penned heartfelt notes on colored paper expressing their appreciation and affection for Weir.
Many attendees expressed wishes for Weir to convey greetings to late fellow band members Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, who passed away before him. Garcia died in 1995, while Lesh passed away in 2024. Ruthie Garcia, a fan since 1989 and no relation to Jerry Garcia, expressed her presence as a means to honor and bid farewell to Bob Weir.
The gathering attracted a diverse array of fans, including those with distinctive dreadlocks and tie-dye attire, some utilizing walkers. Young couples, men in their twenties, and a father accompanied by his six-year-old son were also present, aiming to pass on a shared appreciation for live music and the close-knit Deadhead community to the younger generation.
Bob Weir, a San Francisco native, joined the Grateful Dead, initially known as the Warlocks, in 1965 at the age of 17. He was known for his contributions as a songwriter, vocalist, and performer on beloved Grateful Dead tracks such as “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” Despite his relatively more groomed appearance compared to other band members, he eventually adopted a long beard akin to Jerry Garcia’s in his later years.
The Grateful Dead’s music encompassed a fusion of blues, jazz, country, folk, and psychedelia within extended improvisational sessions that resonated with devoted Deadheads who followed the band on their tours. The band continued performing long after Jerry Garcia’s passing, evolving into Dead & Company featuring John Mayer.
Darla Sagos, who traveled from Seattle for the public commemoration, noted the absence of new tour announcements following Dead & Company’s performances in San Francisco the previous summer. Observing the unusual silence in Weir’s concert schedule, she expressed hope for more music from him, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the music that will be carried on by fans and musicians alike.
Weir’s passing, announced on his Instagram account on January 10, was attributed to underlying lung complications despite his successful battle against cancer. Survived by his wife and two daughters in attendance at the event, Weir’s daughter, Monet Weir, described his unexpected demise but emphasized his enduring wish for the music and spirit of the Grateful Dead to endure beyond his lifetime. Monet Weir emphasized her father’s belief in the unifying power of American music, affirming his conviction that “the show must go on.”
