Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead.
Medium | 11.01.2026 23:45
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead.
Quick facts
Born: October 16, 1947 (San Francisco, California)
Role: Rhythm guitarist & vocalist
Signature style: Jazz-inflected chord voicings, counter-rhythms, and conversational interplay with lead guitar
Career highlights
Grateful Dead (1965–1995): Co-wrote classics like “Truckin’,” “Sugar Magnolia,” and “Playing in the Band.”
Post-Dead projects: Fronted bands including RatDog, Dead & Company, and Wolf Bros, keeping the improvisational legacy alive.
Cultural impact: Central figure in jam-band culture; known for marathon live shows and ever-evolving setlists.
Why he matters
Weir helped redefine what rhythm guitar could be—less strumming, more interactive harmony—shaping generations of players and live-music fans.
