Grateful Dead co-founder, guitarist and singer Bob Weir died at the age of 78 last Saturday after a battle with cancer and lung issues. "He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could. Unfortunately, he succumbed to underlying lung issues. Bobby's final months reflected the same spirit that defined his life. Diagnosed in July, he began treatment only weeks before returning to his hometown stage for a three-night celebration of 60 years of music at Golden Gate Park." "Those performances, emotional, soulful, and full of light, were not farewells, but gifts. Another act of resilience. An artist choosing, even then, to keep going by his own design. As we remember Bobby, it’s hard not to feel the echo of the way he lived. A man driftin’ and dreamin’, never worrying if the road would lead him home. A child of countless trees. A child of boundless seas," part of the official statement said. As soon as news of his passing broke, many Rock stars paid tribute to his memory. Rock stars’ reactions to Bob Weir's death Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead) "Bob Weir was a little brother to me for almost sixty years. He was my first friend in the Grateful Dead. We lived together, played together, and made music together that ended up changing the world. Bob had the ability to play unique chords that few others could. Long fingers, that’s the difference. Jerry once told me that the harmonics Bob created became an inspiration for his own solos. When all of us were entrained, rhythm section, guitars, and voices... it was transcendent. What was a lifetime of adventure boils down to something simple- we were family and true to the music through it all. These photos show the bookends of our lives together. Still cannot believe he’s gone. I miss you so much already, dear friend," Mickey Hart said. John Mayer (Dead & Company) "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. JohnBo," John Mayer said. Sammy Hagar "Bob and I were born just two days apart. A couple decades ago we made a deal we were going to live to be 100, then get together and decide if we were gonna take it any further. One of the last things I said to Bob was 'Hey, I thought we had a deal.' His lack of response made me realize I was on my own on this one because Bob was already way past 100." "He was 100 when I met him. Always the elder, the wise old soul. He had a pocket full of sayings that he used to simplify a conversation. Am I gonna miss Bob? #YouBet. Did I love Bob like a brother? #Yup. Was bob a wonderful friend to have? #FuckinA. Did Bob and I have some good fun together? #MoreFunThanAFroginAGlassOfMilk. My love, heart and prayers, go out to the family and friends for the loss of this wonderful soul. Godspeed," Sammy Hagar said. Steve Stevens "Losing Bob Weir is another reminder that all of the founders of the electric rock generation are leaving us. Once they are all gone, it’s the end of the guys and girls that fought the good fight. Stood for something other than the almighty dollar. Stood up against war, against racism, against greed. The Dead drummer Micky Hart lived above me briefly as a kid. We reconnected in the late 70s and I sat onstage at MSG. There are no fans like Grateful Dead fans. I dedicate this post to not only Bob but you Deadheads out there. Bless you for loving the music," Steve Stevens said. Don Felder "Just heard of the passing of @bobweir. I first saw Bob at Woodstock with the Grateful Dead and was blown away by that whole band, and the musicianship. I feel so blessed to have been able to have him sing on “Rock You” from American Rock and Roll. Until we meet again, amigo," Don Felder said. Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister) I saw the Dead more times (30) than any other band. 27 times between 1969-1972. I saw them as an opening band (30 minute set!!) open for Janis Joplin and Country Joe & the fish. I met Bob in 2017 at the D'angelico guitar store in NYC. I told Bob that my memory was that they tuned up, played 1 song and said goodnight. He said "that sounds about right" and then he laughed!! Really nice guy. Safe Travels, Bob," Jay Jay French said. Les Claypool (Primus) "We lost a champion today. Bob Weir, one of the nicest humans Ive ever met in the music world. A legend on many levels," Les Claypool said. Joe Satriani "It was an honor to know you and share the stage with you. Safe travels. R.I.P. Bob Weir," Joe Satriani said. John Fogerty "Thanks for taking us all along on the musical trip, Bob. I’ll never forget sharing the stage with you especially that night in Oakland in ’89, I’ll miss you, Bob Weir. Rest easy," John Fogerty said. Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) RIP Bob Weir— Not how any of us wanted to start this year— this is a major loss to the world of music and to our extended family. Losing Bob this close to losing Phil is quite a blow. Bob was an enigma— a beautiful enigma. As the youngest member of the Grateful Dead he brought, as they all did, his unique personality and take on music into the mix." "The Grateful Dead was the true epitome of 'the whole being greater than the sum of its’ parts' and as great as each of those parts was, the whole was truly a synergy that happened to exist as its’ own enigma in the beginning but grew in a space and time based on the dedication to a likemindedness at a moment in musical history when everything lined up in a way that could never happen again." "They learned and grew together, in a way that can only be described as familial, and what they discovered, through psychedelic exploration and experimentation, led to not only an approach to music that had never been taken before but to the creation of a whole new genre of music. "Bob was an integral part of this metamorphosis. His voice was the ultimate contrast and compliment to those of Jerry Garcia and Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan and his songwriting drew from entirely different influences as well, including rhythm and blues, reggae, cowboy songs, jazz, and classical music,. His guitar playing defied traditional rhythm guitar as it existed prior and, although he and Garcia forged their styles together, their approaches couldn’t have been more different with Bob’s parts invariably seeming to add a sense of mystery and undefinable uniqueness to the music." "Having played with Bob countless times through the years, I was always struck by this inimitable style and approach which was such a huge part of the Grateful Dead’s musical tapestries. When asked about this in an interview years ago, I was quoted as saying “Bob’s very unique chord shapes and rhythmic patterns push you to play differently, and outside yourself. He, very naturally, leads you into a lot of bobbing and weaving, counterpoint, and call and response." "And he has this wonderful sense of not needing to compare this moment to any other moment. Every song, every performance, gets approached with a fresh outlook. It’s an intangible thing, but it’s so crucial to all he does. When you combine that with the amount of great songs he wrote or co-wrote through the years (some of mine being 'Cassidy', 'Jackstraw', 'Estimated Prophet', 'The Other One', and 'Looks Like Rain') his place in the music pantheon is solidified. Aside from that, he was genuinely a beautiful human being and I am honored to have known him as a friend and to have played together the many, many times that we did. I will cherish those memories and the world of music will keep his spirit alive," Warren Haynes said. Aaron Neville "The Grateful Dead welcomed the Neville Brothers like family. We did quite a few shows with them; got to hang out with Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, thanks to the late great promoter Bill Graham who introduced us and got us on the shows. I’m happy that we were on the planet at the same time and I’m sure that Bob is jamming with all the rest of the greats up there. Rest in peace Bob ??❤️✝️," Aaron Neville said.The post Rock stars’ reactions to Bob Weir’s death appeared first on Rock and Roll Garage.