Bob Weir, the guitarist, vocalist, and co‑founder of the Grateful Dead whose distinctive style helped define the sound of the 1960s San Francisco counterculture, has died at age 78. His family announced his passing Saturday, saying he died peacefully while surrounded by loved ones. Weir had recently overcome cancer but succumbed to ongoing lung complications, according to the statement.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Atherton, Weir joined the band—then called the Warlocks—in 1965 at just 17 years old. Over the next three decades, he became a central creative force alongside Jerry Garcia, contributing signature songs such as “Sugar Magnolia,” “One More Saturday Night,” and “Mexicali Blues.” After Garcia’s death in 1995, Weir became the group’s most recognizable figure, continuing to perform through projects including Dead & Company.

The Grateful Dead’s influence endured far beyond its origins, with generations of devoted “Deadheads” following the band’s improvisational, genre‑blending performances. Despite limited mainstream chart success, the group earned a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2007 and set a Billboard record in 2024 with its 59th Top 40 album, driven largely by archival releases.

Weir’s death leaves drummer Bill Kreutzmann as the only surviving original member. Weir’s death leaves drummer Bill Kreutzmann as the only surviving original member. Fellow founding bassist Phil Lesh died in 2024, while Ron “Pigpen” McKernan died in 1973. Mickey Hart, who joined in 1967 and is widely considered an essential early member, remains active at 82.