Thousands of individuals assembled on Saturday at San Francisco’s Civic Center to commemorate the life of Bob Weir, the renowned guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead who passed away at the age of 78. Musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer delivered speeches on an impromptu stage in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium following a Tibetan prayer conducted by four Buddhist monks to kick off the event. Attendees brought long-stemmed red roses, placing them at an altar adorned with photos and candles, along with writing heartfelt notes on colored paper expressing their gratitude and affection for Weir.
Many fans also conveyed messages for fellow band members Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, both of whom had passed away earlier. The event attracted a diverse crowd, including long-time Deadheads sporting dreadlocks and tie-dye attire, elderly attendees using walkers, young couples, and families passing on their love for live music and the close-knit Deadhead community to the next generation.
Bob Weir, who joined the Grateful Dead at the age of 17 in 1965, contributed to the band’s iconic songs like “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” Known for his distinctive appearance, Weir eventually adopted a long beard akin to Garcia’s. The Grateful Dead’s music encompassed a fusion of blues, jazz, country, folk, and psychedelia in extended improvisational performances that captivated audiences of devoted Deadheads. Despite Garcia’s passing, the band continued to perform, evolving into Dead & Company with John Mayer.
Following Weir’s unexpected death due to underlying lung complications despite overcoming cancer, his family, including his wife and daughters, attended the gathering. Daughter Monet Weir expressed his wish for the music and legacy of the Dead to endure beyond his lifetime, emphasizing his belief in music’s unifying power. She affirmed his enduring spirit by stating, “The show must go on.”