When Bob Weir — co-founder and rhythm guitarist of the Grateful Dead — died at age 78 on January 10, 2026, tributes poured in from the music community and beyond. Among the most heartfelt came from longtime collaborator John Mayer, who took to social media to pay homage to his bandmate, creative partner and friend.
Weir’s influence as a musician stretched from the early days of the Grateful Dead through decades of evolving American music. Known for his inventive guitar work, distinctive voice and deep commitment to community-centered performance, he helped shape one of the most enduring legacies in rock history. His passing, due to complications from lung issues after a 2025 cancer diagnosis, was met with an outpouring of love from fans, peers and fellow artists.
On January 12, Mayer shared a black-and-white photo of Weir on Instagram along with a brief yet powerful tribute. His message blended gratitude, levity and the spiritual bond formed through music, writing:
“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.”
Mayer signed the post “JohnBo,” a nod to the nickname Weir used for him — a private shorthand that spoke to the depth of their connection.
The tribute resonated widely not just for its warmth, but for its tone: confident, affectionate and rooted in the shared belief that music transcends mortality.
Mayer first connected with Weir not merely as a fan but through performance. After playing Grateful Dead songs on The Late Late Show and impressing Weir with his grasp of the band’s repertoire, Mayer was invited into what would become Dead & Company in 2015. Alongside former Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, as well as bassist Oteil Burbridge and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, the group carried forward the music of the Dead for a new generation of listeners while honoring its roots.
Dead & Company toured extensively, including residencies and festival appearances, bringing the spirit of improvisation and communal experience that defined the Grateful Dead into the 2020s. Their final performances together came in August 2025 with a three-night celebration of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary in San Francisco — a fitting capstone to decades of music-making.
Weir’s death sparked tributes across the music world, with peers, collaborators and fans recalling his generosity, curiosity and musical wisdom. Longtime drummer Mickey Hart described him as “a little brother” and emphasized the bond forged over nearly 60 years of shared stages.
Artists outside the Dead & Company circle also spoke out, celebrating Weir’s influence on their own work and on the broader cultural landscape. Figures ranging from Phish’s Trey Anastasio to Americana stars Brandi Carlile and Billy Strings highlighted his warmth, mentorship and the deeply personal connection he fostered with the jam-band community and beyond.
Mayer’s tribute — concise but deeply emotional — captured much of that sentiment: a recognition not just of a great musician, but of a collaborator who shared life on and off the stage, and whose spirit will continue to live wherever the music plays.
