Bobby Weir [1947-2026]
Remembering the Grateful Dead's Cowboy of the Cosmos
Relix Daily
January 12, 2026
Bobby Weir [1947-2026]
Photo: Peter Shapiro
Robert Hall Weir was born on October 16, 1947, in San Francisco. Put up for adoption by his college-age birth parents, he was raised in prosperous Atherton, Calif., in San Mateo County. A rebel from the very beginning, Weir was dismissed from pre-K, Cub Scouts, and nearly every school he attended while facing the challenge of undiagnosed dyslexia.
The motif of shifting educational facilities led to Weir’s check-in at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he met future writing partner John Perry Barlow. The twosome struck up a fast friendship, sharing an interest in folk music that would lead to their own striking lyricism.
Weir had begun playing guitar at age 13, experimenting with piano and trumpet before committing to the six-string instrument…
Back in 2005, Bob Weir sat down with Grateful Dead biographer Dennis McNally to discuss the history behind some of his most revered compositions…
Photo: Rosie McGee
On Sunday evening, January 11, Mickey Hart responded to the passing of his longtime friend and bandmate of nearly 60 years, Bobby Weir.
"A lot of stuff comes to me in dreams. That’s a huge influence on me. I take a lot of direction from dreams. I process all the stuff that I do in my dreams—my playing, my writing, whatever."
Following the loss of the Grateful Dead’s founding member and rhythm guitarist, Bobby Weir, remembrances have flooded social media, reflecting his significance as an artist and individual in the lives of so many.
Photo: Bruce Polonsky/ Retro Photo Archive
Bobby Weir initiated a voyage more than six decades ago that has touched the lives of innumerable fans, friends, and collaborators alike. Following the profound loss of the jam community’s venerate captain and preacher of peace, fellow musicians and musical associates have shared their memories and tales of “The Other One” on social media.
On August 5, 2016, six weeks before the release of his Blue Mountain album, Bob Weir joined us in our New York City office to share some songs and the story behind the record. He performed “Blue Mountain,” “Loose Lucy” and “Lay My Lily Down.” Here’s a look at “Loose Lucy” from that session.