Wishing him well with a golden bell: Remembering Bob Weir
- Dean Machine
- Jan 11
- 3 min read
Few musicians have carried the spirit of adventure, community, and creativity quite like Bob Weir. As a founding member of the Grateful Dead and a driving force in countless musical projects since, Bobby's sound became a guiding bell for generations chasing that perfect harmony of freedom and connection.
I’ve been fortunate to follow his musical journey firsthand — from my first Grateful Dead show back in 1991 all the way through RatDog, Further, The Other Ones, The Dead, Dead & Company, and countless guest appearances that always felt like a warm reunion with an old friend. Each performance carried its own energy — improvisational, soulful, unpredictable — yet always grounded in Bob’s unmistakable rhythm and joyful presence.
A Road That Never Ends
There’s something timeless about how Bobby embraced the road. Whether playing stadiums, festivals, or surprise sit-ins, he embodied the idea that music isn’t just sound — it’s a shared place we build together. Seeing him live was never about perfection; it was about communion.
From the crisp mountain air at an alpine show to summer nights under the stars at Red Rocks, every performance radiated with heart and humor. His voice — weathered but warm — tells the story of decades spent chasing that just-right groove. His rhythm guitar was the glue that held moments together and the spark that set them free.
For me, these shows have always been milestones: fellow travelers, endless smiles, and songs that still echo through the ski slopes and open highways of my own journeys in Bevverly.
On the bus since 1990
From those early days on the bus, every show felt like entering a living, breathing world built around Bob’s rhythm, humor, and heart. The Grateful Dead, and all the bands that followed, became more than concerts; they were gatherings where life’s ups and downs could be danced out under the lights.
His playing and presence offered comfort in hard times and amplified the joy in the good ones, turning ordinary days into milestones anchored by setlists, laughs, and late-night drives. Looking back, it is impossible to separate the story of those years from the sound of his guitar and voice helping to carry it all forward.
Grateful for the memories
Over the decades, the shows became meeting points for a whole parallel family: friends made in parking lots, in the next seat over, or along the rail who turned into lifelong companions. Each tour brought new faces, new inside jokes, and new shared moments that still come rushing back with the first few notes of a familiar tune.
There is deep gratitude for every memory stitched together by his music — from Grateful Dead nights in the early 90s to RatDog, The Other Ones, The Dead, Dead & Company, and all the magical guest appearances that kept the flame burning. Those experiences did more than entertain; they helped build a community and a life filled with stories that will keep ringing like a golden bell for years to come.
Scroll Through some of My Bobby Shots
Tune Into the Vibe
The Song That Never Ends
As Bobby continues to inspire new artists and generations of fans, his legacy remains one of resilience, joy, and deep musical brotherhood. Each show I’ve seen over the past three decades has left a mark — a call to keep wandering down the road, following that golden bell wherever it leads.
Here’s to Bob Weir — a true troubadour, a rhythm poet, and a legend whose music will keep our wheels spinning and hearts open for years to come.
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