Bob Weir, the founding member of both the Grateful Dead and Dead and Company, passed away on January 10th. The Grateful Dead is one of the most well-known all-American bands, best known for its 1960s aesthetic and hippie following. It was founded in part by Bob Weir in 1965, just 17 when he joined the band that would become the Grateful Dead, and officially disbanded after Jerry Garcia, the lead guitarist, died in 1995.
The band’s identity would form in the 1960s, and they would continue to play into the 70s when their popularity grew. The Grateful Dead famously played live shows, averaging well over 100 shows per year in the 1970s. After the 70s, the Grateful Dead continued to play as some members left and others were introduced. Still, Bob Weir stayed with the band and remained a key player. The Grateful Dead’s popularity grew exponentially in the late 1980s with their radio hit “Touch of Grey.” The new attention attracted younger fans and catapulted the band into the mainstream during the late 80s and early 90s.
The band was one of the largest touring bands in America in the 90s. Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995 was a crushing blow to Grateful Dead fans around the country and the world. The band decided to disband The Grateful Dead. After Garcia’s death, Bob Weir and the other members of the Grateful Dead formed several variations of the original band, carrying on the spirit of the Grateful Dead. Most recently, Bob Weir founded Dead and Company in 2015.
This band played 10 major tours since its debut, running its final tour in 2023.
Arcata High senior Jack Miller saw the band in San Francisco in July 2025.
“I’m glad I got to experience it, even if it wasn’t around for too long.” The joys of the Grateful Dead, Miller expressed, were moving. The Dead and Company went on to perform two residencies at the Las Vegas Sphere, and the band celebrated the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary with shows in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Bob Weir’s death was felt around the country and the globe. Memorials popped up around hundreds of American cities, with the largest memorial held in San Francisco. The city is often referred to as the hometown of the band. The city of San Francisco has always been associated with the American counterculture. The Grateful Dead famously lived in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, solidifying their roots.
“It’s pretty sad, but he was pretty old, and he lived a good life,” Arcata High senior Laurel Straka said. Straka runs the Belly of the Beast Radio Show, a local show on Humboldt Hot Air featuring a variety of musical genres and commentary.
“I gave him a shout-out on my radio show, and I played a Grateful Dead song in his honor.”
Weir’s passing affected many people who remember his legacy and how his music has impacted so many lives. Weir’s life created a cornerstone in the world of music and the American counterculture. His legacy will continue to live on through his timeless music and the many lives he has affected.
