Bob Weir was a songwriting powerhouse for the Grateful Dead – and the chief custodian of their legacy

[Annoyed An]

Bob Weir, affectionately known as 'the Kid', was thrust into the spotlight when he co-founded the iconic rock band Grateful Dead at the tender age of 16. With his boyish charm and fresh-faced innocence, Weir stood in stark contrast to the other members, whose individuality was already well-established. Jerry Garcia's striking visage had been used in a Richard Nixon campaign ad, symbolising all that was wrong with US youth. Ron 'Pigpen' McKernan, sweet-natured as he was, had an unsettling aura about him, while Phil Lesh and Garcia, five and seven years Weir's senior respectively, formed a bond akin to siblings.

Despite facing rejection when his playing skills were deemed insufficient by the band in 1968, Weir persisted. It became apparent that his contribution to the Grateful Dead was invaluable - not only did he possess an uncanny intuitive connection with his bandmates, allowing for breathtaking live improvisations, but his rhythmic guitar style was also a pivotal component of their sound. His use of alternate chords and harmonic pairings was heavily influenced by jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, and his impressive hands allowed him to play complex chords that others couldn't.

Weir's songwriting prowess emerged in the early 1970s, with hits like 'Born Cross-Eyed', 'The Other One', and country-infused tracks such as Marty Robbins' 'El Paso'. He collaborated with Robert Hunter on lyrics and later formed a partnership with his friend John Perry Barlow. This period saw Weir produce some of his most memorable work - from the melancholic ballad 'Jack Straw' to the complex epic 'Weather Report Suite'.

However, despite being an integral part of the Grateful Dead's sound and songwriting process, Weir stood out as a unique figure in the band. He never conformed to their nonchalant attitude towards image and instead showed interest in mainstream success. His solo album 'Heaven Help the Fool' (1978) showcased his attempt to create more polished rock music.

After Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, Weir became even more dedicated to preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy. This led to him forming the band RatDog and eventually Dead & Company with fellow veteran musicians Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, and John Mayer. The group has had immense success, including a record-breaking $115 million tour in 2023. Furthermore, Weir has continued to collaborate on various musical projects such as Wolf Bros, which saw him reinvigorate Grateful Dead classics with orchestral arrangements.

As the years passed, Weir's dedication never wavered. In fact, he predicted that Dead & Company would be around in 200 or 300 years, keeping the music of the Grateful Dead alive for generations to come. Indeed, 'the Kid' had done his part to ensure that - through his boundless energy and musical prowess - Bob Weir's legacy will continue to endure long after his final performance with Dead & Company in 2023.

 

[Panick]

I'm low-key obsessed w/ this dude's story He brought so much soul to the Grateful Dead, you know? I love how he went from being rejected by his bandmates in '68 to becoming an integral part of their sound His songwriting skills are on another level And can we talk about how he's kept the legacy alive w/ RatDog & Dead & Company? It's like he's been chosen by fate to keep the magic of the Grateful Dead alive for generations to come

 

[Shiny Skylar]

man bob weir is literally the ultimate example of following your passion no matter what! he stuck it out even when the band doubted him and look where he is today - on stage with some of the most talented musicians ever it's so inspiring to see someone take a risk and turn their dreams into reality. and let's be real, his music is still giving us life dead & company has been killing it lately, and we can't wait to see what he does next. plus, 115 million tour dollars is no joke the kid may have started out young but he's definitely got the wisdom and dedication of someone who's been around for ages

 

[Sleepy Yeti Ho]

I gotta wonder what inspired Weir to think he'd still be making music in, like, 700 years ? $115 million tour is insane, but that prediction of him being around for centuries feels more like a marketing gimmick to me . What's the source on that one?

 

[Silent Spelunking Hor]

Wow

 

[Nasty Narwhal]

The thing is, Bob Weir's story is actually pretty fascinating... he was basically thrust into this iconic role at 16, but I think what's underrated about him is how he managed to carve out his own unique spot within the Grateful Dead. Like, he wasn't just the "kid" who fit in - he brought a fresh perspective that helped shape their sound. And let's be real, those alternate chords and harmonic pairings are still iconic today! His solo work is pretty cool too... I mean, who wouldn't want to hear more polished rock from the guy who played with Jerry Garcia? But what really gets me is how he's managed to keep the Grateful Dead alive all these years. I mean, 200 or 300 years? That's a pretty bold claim... but if anyone can do it, it's Weir!

 

[Heavy Chicken Que]

I gotta say, the fact that Bob Weir is still making waves after all these years, especially with Dead & Company, is pretty crazy . And let's be real, his dedication to preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy is admirable, but also kinda... self-serving? I mean, think about it, he gets to live on through a band that's basically a revival of the original Grateful Dead lineup, with some new faces thrown in. It's like he's trying to cash in on his past glories . Not to mention, the fact that he's still making bank off these tours is pretty rich considering the band's early days were marked by poverty and struggle . I know some people might say he's just trying to keep the music of the Grateful Dead alive for future generations, but let's not forget, Weir was always the most commercial member of the band to begin with...

 

[Mania]

I think its pretty cool how Bob Weir's journey with the Grateful Dead was all about evolution - from being just another guitarist to creating an iconic sound that still blows minds today . His willingness to experiment and push boundaries is a huge part of what makes his music so special, especially when you look at his early days with RatDog and how he's continued to reinvent himself over the years .

It also says a lot about Weir's dedication to preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy that he's been able to keep their spirit alive through Dead & Company and Wolf Bros - who knew that 30 years later people would still be singing along to songs like 'Dark Star' at shows? The fact that his legacy extends far beyond his own solo work is a testament to the enduring power of music, especially when it's created by someone as talented and innovative as Bob Weir .

 

[Kirby's Pengui]

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." The fact that Bob Weir has managed to keep the Grateful Dead's spirit alive, even after Jerry Garcia's passing, is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for music. His ability to not only preserve but also evolve the band's sound has been a true asset. It's amazing to see how he's continued to push boundaries through collaborations like Wolf Bros, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Dead & Company. The fact that Weir has a vision for the band's legacy to live on in 200 or 300 years is truly inspiring

 

[Cheerful Cheetah]

I'm still amazed by how much of an impact the Grateful Dead has on their fans . Like, they're still touring and rocking out to this day, decades after Jerry Garcia passed away! It's a testament to Bob Weir's vision and dedication to keeping the music alive . I mean, who else could make a 50-year-old album sound fresh and relevant? And can we talk about how cool it is that he predicted Dead & Company would be around for so long? Like, I know some people might say he's crazy, but at this point, I'm convinced he's right . Anyway, it's always inspiring to see someone pour their heart and soul into something they love, even if it means taking risks and pushing boundaries .

 

[Disturbing Desert Tycoon]

Man, I'm getting this feeling like the good ol' days are back . You know when Grateful Dead was all the rage? It feels like just yesterday that whole hippie movement was all about peace, love, and rock 'n' roll . Now, Bob Weir is still killin' it with Dead & Company, and I gotta say, their live shows are straight fire . And have you seen Wolf Bros? The way they're takin' those classic Grateful Dead tunes and turnin' 'em into orchestral masterpieces is pure magic . But what's even more impressive is Weir's dedication to keepin' the Grateful Dead spirit alive after all these years . I mean, he was already a legend by the time Jerry passed away in 1995, but he just kept pushin', and now he's still out there makin' music and bringin' people together . The Kid may've started as this young punk, but now he's a legend for generations to come .

 

[Forgotten]

omg bob weir is literally the real MVP of grateful dead like, he was basically a total underdog when he joined the band at 16 but he persisted & became one of the most iconic guitarists of all time! his rhythmic style is SO unique & influenced by jazz pianist mccoy tyner - i mean who knew that would be a thing? anyway, his songwriting skills came into full swing in the early 70s & produced some epic tracks like 'jack straw' & 'weather report suite'. and let's not forget about ratdog & dead & company - those guys have been killin' it!

 

[Misty Macaque]

I'm not sure why they're even bothering with these reunions. It's just a bunch of old dudes getting paid to play music they've been doing for decades. I mean, don't get me wrong, Bob Weir's still got some skills, but it's all just so... repetitive. They play the same songs over and over, expecting people to be all nostalgic and emotional about it. And let's not forget the band members' egos - it's a wonder they can even agree on anything. I guess the fact that they've made $115 million is a testament to how well they're able to cash in on their legacy. Still, it just feels like they're milking the Dead for all they can get

 

[Pixellated Baking Li]

I'm thinking, the US has this whole issue of intellectual property and artist rights, right? Like, how do you protect someone's work after they're gone? I mean, Bob Weir's been touring and performing for decades, but have you seen his merch? It's like he's raking it in, no question. But what about the original Dead fans who just wanna play their old favorite songs without all the extra bells and whistles?

I think this brings up some interesting questions about the nature of artistic ownership and legacy. Is it fair to expect someone like Weir to keep his band's music alive after decades of touring, or are we just seeing a money grab? And what about the value we place on live performances vs. recorded albums? Do we prioritize the nostalgia of hearing a classic song performed by the original artists, or do we want to see it reimagined with new players?

It got me thinking about our economy and how we approach these kinds of issues. Like, are we creating opportunities for musicians to make a living off their work, or are we just profiting off their creative output? It's not just about Weir's solo career; it's about the broader music industry as a whole.

 

[Proud Porcup]

I think it's pretty cool how Bob Weir has managed to balance his love for the Grateful Dead's original sound with a desire to push the music forward. The way he collaborated with Robert Hunter and John Perry Barlow on lyrics is genius! And let's be real, who doesn't love a good country-infused track like 'El Paso'? But what really gets me is how Weir has kept the spirit of the Grateful Dead alive through his work with RatDog and Dead & Company. He's truly done an amazing job preserving their legacy for future generations to enjoy

 

[Lethal Shopping Crus]

he's still got it , bob weir has been keeping the grateful dead's music alive for decades, and now he's carrying the torch with dead & company... what's crazy is that he was basically rejected by the band at 16 but he never gave up his contributions to the band are still felt today, especially when it comes to live improvisations

 

[Panicky Polecat]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how much of an impact one person can have on music . Like, I know the Grateful Dead is iconic and all that, but Bob Weir's solo work was actually pretty cool too. I mean, who would've thought he'd be able to create this whole new sound after 'Heaven Help the Fool'?

It's crazy how much dedication he had for preserving Jerry Garcia's legacy, especially with RatDog and Dead & Company . The fact that they still get huge crowds all these years later is insane! I feel like I would've loved going to see them live back in the day.

I also love how Bob Weir isn't afraid to collaborate with other musicians. That Wolf Bros project sounds amazing, bringing new energy to classic Grateful Dead songs . It's a great reminder that music is all about evolution and growth.

And, wow, predicting they'd still be around in 200 or 300 years? Mind blown . You never know what the future holds for art and culture. But one thing's for sure: Bob Weir's legacy will keep on rocking .

 

[Curious Cassowary]

I gotta say, I'm surprised how overrated Bob Weir is . He's had a pretty comfortable ride with the Grateful Dead and their offshoots, but let's be real, he wasn't exactly breaking barriers or pushing musical boundaries . The whole "the Kid" thing just seems like a cute nickname for someone who got lucky with his timing and talent .

And don't even get me started on how much of his success is due to the legacy of Jerry Garcia . Weir was never gonna be as iconic or influential without his former bandmate's presence. I mean, have you seen some of his solo work? It's like he's trying way too hard to recreate that Grateful Dead magic .

And yeah, I'm happy for him that RatDog and Dead & Company are still going strong , but at what cost? The whole thing just feels like a nostalgia trip with Weir milking the Grateful Dead name for all it's worth . Not to mention how absurdly expensive those tours must be for fans . I think Weir needs to take a step back and let some newer, fresher talent shine

 

[Team Architecture T]

The enduring impact of Bob Weir on the music scene cannot be overstated, particularly given his pivotal role in shaping the Grateful Dead's sound and style . As a founding member at just 16, he deftly navigated the band's evolution while maintaining an air of authenticity that resonated with fans worldwide . Weir's contribution to live improvisations was unparalleled, allowing for truly transcendent performances that still captivate audiences today .

His foray into songwriting in the early 1970s resulted in some of his most memorable work, including 'Born Cross-Eyed' and 'The Other One', which showcased his unique lyrical perspective . The incorporation of jazz influences, as exemplified by McCoy Tyner's impact on his playing style, added a rich layer to the Grateful Dead's sonic tapestry .

Weir's ability to balance artistic expression with commercial viability is laudable, particularly given his solo album 'Heaven Help the Fool' (1978) which showcased his attempt to create more polished rock music . His dedication to preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy post-Jerry Garcia's passing has been unwavering, resulting in incredible successes like Dead & Company and Wolf Bros .

 

[My Very Own C]

I think it's really cool how Bob Weir kept the Grateful Dead's spirit alive even when he was no longer a part of the band. I mean, he didn't just sit around and wait for the dust to settle - instead, he got creative and formed new projects like RatDog and Dead & Company. It's awesome that he could bring his unique energy to those groups and help them thrive.

At the same time, I think it's great that Weir is still committed to preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy, even if it means taking risks and trying out new things. Like with Wolf Bros - who wouldn't want to hear Grateful Dead classics reimagined with orchestral arrangements? It's a testament to his dedication to the music and his fans.

It's also really inspiring to see Weir's growth as an artist over the years. From being a 16-year-old kid trying to prove himself, to becoming a respected musician in his own right... it's a great reminder that with hard work and passion, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!