John Mayer Pays Tribute to Bob Weir as Grateful Dead Fans Celebrate Their Bond Through Music

John Mayer, Mickey Hart, and Bob Weir in Los Angeles in January 2025.
Credit:

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Key Information

• Bob Weir, guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away on January 10 at the age of 78.
• Friends and fellow musicians have paid tribute to Weir following his death.
• John Mayer, a bandmate in Dead & Company, expressed, “If you say it’s not the end, then I’ll believe you. I’ll meet you in the music. Come find me anytime.”

Bob Weir’s death on January 10 has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends, and fellow musicians. Weir’s team announced the news via his official Instagram account.

The iconic guitarist and founding member of the Grateful Dead died at the age of 78 from underlying lung issues, which followed a cancer diagnosis in July 2025. A statement released after his passing noted, “Bobby will forever be a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music. His work did more than fill rooms with music; it cultivated a sense of community and family among generations of fans.”

Bob Weir at the Hollywood Bowl in September 1967.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

In the aftermath, many musicians paid tribute to the guitarist. John Mayer, who joined Dead & Company in 2015, shared heartfelt thoughts in a post. “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 wrote, signing off with Weir’s affectionate nickname for him, JohnBo.

Mickey Hart, a fellow bandmate and drummer for the Grateful Dead, reminisced on Instagram about their enduring friendship: “Bob Weir was a little brother to me for almost sixty years. We lived together, played together, and made music together that ended up changing the world.” Hart remarked on Weir’s ability to create unique sounds that contributed to a transcendent musical experience, reflecting a lifetime of adventure and familial bonds through music.

Other tributes came from Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge, who highlighted Weir’s passion for live performance, saying, “I can’t think of anyone that needed to play live music any more than Bob.” Burbridge also expressed gratitude for their decade-long friendship and the impact Weir had on younger musicians.

Trey Anastasio of Phish remembered Weir as a “sweet, kind, gentle friend,” sharing anecdotes that demonstrated Weir’s rich storytelling and deep wisdom. Anastasio reflected on their last meeting and the conversations they shared about life’s journey.

Longtime fans and fellow musicians, including Brandi Carlile, Billy Strings, and Maggie Rogers, also expressed condolences, emphasizing Weir’s kindness, creativity, and profound impact on the music community. Each tribute underscored a common sentiment: that Bob Weir’s legacy will endure through his music and the countless lives he touched.