SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A crowd gathered at San Francisco’s Civic Center to honor Bob Weir, the iconic guitarist of the Grateful Dead, who passed away last week at 78. The atmosphere was filled with love and remembrance as musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer shared heartfelt words on stage, following a prayer led by four Buddhist monks.
Fans brought red roses, placing them on an altar adorned with photos and candles. Many shared handwritten notes expressing their gratitude and love for Weir’s music, while some asked him to send greetings to fellow bandmates Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, who had already passed. “I’m here to celebrate Bob Weir,” said Ruthie Garcia, a fan since 1989. “It’s about helping him go home.”
The celebration drew a diverse crowd. Longtime fans in tie-dye shirts mingled with younger couples and families, like a father introducing his six-year-old son to the vibrant culture of live music and the tight-knit Deadhead community.
Weir co-founded the band in 1965 when he was just 17. Over the years, he contributed to classics like “Sugar Magnolia” and “One More Saturday Night.” The band, known for its blend of genres, kept touring well beyond Garcia’s death, later evolving into Dead & Company, featuring Mayer.
Darla Sagos traveled from Seattle, sensing something was off when no upcoming shows were announced for Weir. “We were hoping everything was okay. We will continue the music with everyone who loves it,” she said. Her grandson will grow up listening to Weir’s work.
Weir had fought cancer but passed due to lung complications. His daughter, Monet, revealed that his death was unexpected. Still, he wanted the music and legacy of the Grateful Dead to live on. “The show must go on,” she remarked. Recent studies suggest that streaming old concerts has surged, showing the enduring impact of artists like Weir on new generations.
Music, Weir believed, has the power to unite people. His journey and the community he nurtured through his tunes will forever resonate with fans, both old and new.
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