John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Garcia Family and Other Admirers Pay Tribute to Bobby Weir

Hana Gustafson on January 12, 2026

Photo: Bill Kelly

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.

John Mayer:

Okay Bob. I’ll do it your way.

Fkn’ A…

Thanks for letting me ride alongside you. It sure was a pleasure.

If you say it’s not the end, then I’ll believe you.

I’ll meet you in the music.

Come find me anytime.

JohnBo

Oteil Burbridge:

I can’t think of anyone that needed to play live music any more than Bob. It went past devotion, past dedication, past obsession. It seemed to me more like self identification. I think he felt it is what and who he was. I also cannot think of anyone who played more live shows. We could depend on it like the sun coming up.

He was so unique as a human and a musician. His mannerisms when he spoke were just as singular as the way he played guitar, sang, composed and lived day to day.

After I got the news I was talking with Jimmy Herring about which Bob song was our favorite. A silly premise with so many songs to choose from, but a catalyst for remembering him. It helps one realize just how deep our history went. (I still can’t decide between Looks Like Rain and Cassidy for whatever it’s worth.) Some people can write songs that just never get old.

Thank you Bob for pulling me into your orbit. There are no words that could ever encompass the last ten years we shared together. I’m so blessed to have been a part of it all. And thank you for being so generous with your time and sharing yourself with so many of us younger musicians. It does my heart good to see so many pictures of you with so many musicians that weren’t in the Grateful Dead. Thank you for including us. There is no higher form of musical grace.

To Natascha, Monet and Chloe, my heart breaks for you. And my heart goes out to you and all of your extended family. I’m so grateful for all the laughs we have shared over the last 10 years.

Lastly if there is anything we can do to thank and honor Bob for all that he gave us it would be to fully live our life. At some point we’re all going to be gone. This life is such a gift, such a golden opportunity. Please don’t let someone else define it. Let it proceed by it’s own design. Follow that inner voice and go for broke!

Lastly, a friend of mine noted that it was sad that Bob died at just 78 years old. I told him I thought Bob packed at least 146 years into it.

And now he’s with his brothers and sisters again on the other side.

The Garcia Family:

It is with profound sorrow and eternal gratitude that we wish a grand farewell to our dear friend Robert Weir. Bob was always full of restless hope and a burning desire to do good in this world. He once said that his success was due to the ever-present sense of adventure that was the very heart of his music and that the hearts of his audience resonated with the same rhythms. His adventure will continue on with all those he inspired over his incredible life.

We know the big reunion on the other side will be felt as a surge of joy in the cosmos. And we hope everyone joins us in a big wolf howl farewell for our @bobweir. Thank you for the amazing ride.

Sincere condolences to Bob’s beautiful wife Natascha and his lovely daughters, Chloe and Monet. We love you so much and are pleased to have grown close over the years despite life on the road. We honor this cosmic entanglement within the band and all of those around us; we love you.

Love and joy to everyone,

The Garcia Family

Nancy Pelosi:

Deeply saddened to learn of Bob Weir’s passing. A dear friend and a San Francisco icon as a founder of the Grateful Dead, Bob’s music brought people together in joy and community for generations.

His legacy will live on through every soul he touched and every moment of connection his music created. Paul and I send our condolences to Natascha and his entire family with gratitude for the joy he shared with the world.

Don Felder:

Just heard of the passing of @bobweir. I first saw Bob at Woodstock with the Grateful Dead and was blown away by that whole band, and the musicianship. I feel so blessed to have been able to have him sing on “Rock You” from American Rock and Roll. Until we meet again, amigo.

Nancy Wilson:

Light up all the candles tonight. There is a great old soul passing by.

This guy was such a hero. The world is a sadder place without him in it. He spread a life time of magic around and always had that twinkle of good nature in his eyes. His good vibrations will never end. He gave such a gift to us all.

Light all the candles and listen to the songs. One angel among us has sadly gone.

Brandi Carlile:

Deep bow to you sir. You left every part of the world you touched better than you found it.

The moments I got to spend with you are true treasures to me now 💔

Tonight I’m thinking about all our friends in music young and old and how @bobweir had time for all of us… he came to our shows, helped us write songs and got so many of us out on stage to jam and just stand in his light.

What a nurturing way-paving soul…

It was so wonderful to be in the world at the same time as Bobby Weir

Sammy Hagar:

Bob and I were born just two days apart. A couple decades ago we made a deal we were going to live to be 100, then get together and decide if we were gonna take it any further. One of the last things I said to Bob was “Hey, I thought we had a deal.” His lack of response made me realize I was on my own on this one because Bob was already way past 100. He was 100 when I met him. Always the elder, the wise old soul. He had a pocket full of sayings that he used to simplify a conversation.

Am I gonna miss Bob? #YouBet

Did I love Bob like a brother? #Yup

Was bob a wonderful friend to have? #FuckinA

Did Bob and I have some good fun together? #MoreFunThanAFroginAGlassOfMilk

My love, heart and prayers, go out to the family and friends for the loss of this wonderful soul.

godspeed