“Skipping barefoot between the constellations.” Yesterday, the world learned that we lost a musical genius and icon. Bob Weir, the founding member of the Grateful Dead, passed away at the age of 78. The singer-songwriter’s official social media page confirmed the heartbreaking news: “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Bobby Weir. He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues…   His loving family, Natascha, Monet, and Chloe, request privacy during this difficult time and offer their gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and remembrance. May we honor him not only in sorrow, but in how bravely we continue with open hearts, steady steps, and the music leading us home. Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.” View this post on Instagram The post went on to say that Bob Weir was diagnosed with cancer back in July of 2025, and started treatment just before he and Dead and Company took the stage at Golden Gate Park for a celebration of 60 years of the Grateful Dead’s music. Weir’s family called those three nights of shows “not farewells, but gifts. Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design.” The Grateful Dead has toured pretty much every year since 1965, with the iteration of the band being the only thing that’s changed across the decades. The most popular version of the band, at least in the past decade, has been Dead and Company. It usually consisted of Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart (drums), and Bill Kreutzmann (drums), with John Mayer stepping in to play guitar and lead vocals, and bass player Oteil Burbridge and keys player Jeff Chimenti rounding out the group. Though the band members and the band’s name changed often over the years, Bob Weir was always the through-line. He stood on stage and shared the Grateful Dead’s music for 60 years. Another version of the Grateful Dead that existed, typically in smaller venues, was Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros. It was through that group (and occasional crossovers with Dead and Company) that Weir shared the stage with country music artists. Sturgill Simpson was known to drop in with Dead and Company from time to time, Tyler Childers was another country star that Weir took a fond liking to, and the jamgrass icon Billy Strings. Strings has captured the hearts of many Dead fans with his psychedelic bluegrass, intertwining his love for classic rock and jam bands with bluegrass. But over the years, Weir became more than a musical icon for Strings; he became a dear friend. Billy Strings has the honor of knowing Weir and playing alongside him numerous times. Weir even played at Billy Strings’ wedding alongside Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool for an impromptu jam session, including a heartfelt performance of “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Not many can say that Bob Weir played at their wedding, and Strings is a part of that select group. After learning this heartbreaking news, Strings took to social media to share some thoughts and a heartfelt message about his dear friend and musical idol. “Today me and the fellers were deep into a recording session cutting a tune called ‘Wrestling An Angel’ when my wife told me our friend Bob Weir had made his journey from this earthly realm into the heavens. We are all completely devastated but I also can’t help but feel like he is at total peace and more magical now than he ever was. I’ve never knew a person so in tune with the cosmos. Who was so mystical and smart and mysterious, alluring and radiant. He was a star wrangler .. a celestial skysage who traded fear for wonder. Now he is riding the northern lights and skipping barefoot between the constellations… We took a while to try to understand the news and then told some beautiful stories about our times with him.. but eventually we decided to pick ourselves up and got back to recording our music because that’s what he would have wanted us to do. As he said ‘There’s work to be done.’ I’ll always cherish the memories I have of Bob .. of hanging out in his hotel room and him showing me his record collection and mobile recording rig. Sitting there listening to kind of blue in silence. Soaking in the frequencies. Of him busting into ‘when I paint my masterpiece’ at my wedding.. and in an instant he turned the place into a joyous musical celebration. It was the greatest gift anyone could have given us. He was always ready to ‘Kick up a fuss.’ He always had boundless time and knowledge to share with everyone and was truly one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. The world is a better place because of him. I’m extremely grateful to have crossed paths with him in this life. I am sending all of my love and prayers to his beautiful family and my heart breaks for them.. having just lost my mother recently I comprehend and sympathize with how hard it is to lose someone we hold so dear. Words are hard to find in these moments.. I just know that he has had such a profound impact on so many of us and we will all carry that onward into the horizon until we someday meet again. Heaven’s choir just gained a beautiful new voice. There is joy in knowing he is with some of his old friends again.. singing and laughing and playing beautiful songs. Thank you Bob.” Rest in peace Bob Weir. View this post on Instagram Before you go, check out Billy Strings and Bob Weir on stage together at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium back in 2022. The post Billy Strings Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Bob Weir: “Heaven’s Choir Just Gained A Beautiful New Voice” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.