Thousands gather in San Francisco to pay tribute to Bob Weir

SAN FRANCISCO (NBC, KYMA) - Thousands of fans from around the globe gathered in San Francisco Saturday to celebrate the life of the late Bob Weir.

Weir, a founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away a week ago at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.

A colorful and celebratory procession for Weir took place down Market Street all the way to Civic Center Plaza where a crowd of thousands of people gathered to celebrate the legendary rhythm guitarist songwriter and life adventurer, a man who paved the way for blues and folk musicians in the modern era.

"Bob Weir's story will always, always, always connected to San Francisco the city where his music took shape, and where he always returned, as he does today," said Daniel Lurie, Mayor of San Francisco.

Born in San Francisco October 1947, his parents named him Robert Hall Weir, but friends and family called him Bob or Bobby.

"In fact, I had to give Bobby Weir my shorts, so he could ride down a water slide, so I can claim he was in my shorts. I loved Bobby," Kitty Green, who toured with the band.

Weir began playing guitar at 13-years-old and after meeting the late Jerry Garcia in 1963, they formed the group The Warlocks, which eventually was named The Grateful Dead.

Drummer Mickey Hart played with Weir right to the end.

"Bob would have loved this. This is so soulful...all the people who cared for him during his life, they're here," Hart expressed.

After Weir died on January 10, his friend and guitarist and vocalist with the Dead & Company John Mayer said Weir "never sat still and was always moving forward and inspiration to us all."

"Bob took a chance on me. He staked his entire reputation on my joining a band with him. He gave me a musical community. He gave me this community," Mayer shared.

Those sentiments from his Dead & Company bandmate shared by many in this huge crowd who came to celebrate Weirs life and music.

"Bobby was always the guy who was out there no matter what. Even at the end when Jerry was kind of falling apart, Bobby was the one that kept it going, and he's been doing that ever since," said Dan Nicely, a fan.

Weir began treatment for cancer just weeks before taking to the stage with his band Dead & Company in Golden Gate Park this past summer.

His wife and daughters thanked the crowd for loving the man they loved so much and for keeping his spirit alive.

"While his death was sudden and unexpected, one thing he felt strongly about that can ring true now more than ever is that the show must go on," said Monet Weir, Weir's daughter.

"And go home and to your Lord and be free. And go home to your Lord and be free. Hallelujah," said Joan Baez, a folk singer and activist.