Bob Weir, Grateful Dead founding member, dies at 78

(NBC, KYMA) - Bob weir, guitarist, songwriter, and one of grateful dead's founding members, has died at the age of 78.

Weir was diagnosed with cancer in July of last year and beat it, but "succumbed to underlying lung issues," according to a statement posted to his official website.

Weir was born in San Francisco in 1947 and he found a love for folk music during his teenage years. He later met Jerry Garcia and together they formed the legendary band, The Grateful Dead.

The Dead grew in popularity in the 1980s and that fame continued into the 90s.

Weir wrote some of the most enduring songs for the band like "Jack Straw," "Sugar Magnolia," and "Playing in the Band."

He played for various bands that were built on that foundation of the grateful dead following the loss of Garcia in 1995.

His most recent project in 2025, Dead & Company, attracted about 180,000 people to three shows in San Francisco.

Weir received a number of honors in his lifetime, a Kennedy Center Honors, his induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to name a few.

He is survived by his loved ones and a handful of Grateful Dead bandmates.