San Francisco will honor the life and career of Grateful Dead guitarist and jam-band pioneer Bob Weir this Saturday, January 17, with a public commemoration at Civic Center Plaza. The event begins at 3:45pm ET.
A Hometown Farewell to a Musical Icon
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“Homecoming: Celebrating the life of Bobby Weir” is a free gathering intended to celebrate a musician whose “music, spirit and humanity shaped a generation,” according to organizers. The event promises a tribute within the community he helped create.
- The commemoration is not a concert; it will focus on remembrance and togetherness.
- A procession will travel down Market Street between 7th and 9th Streets at approximately 3:30pm ET.
- Weir, who died last week at 78 due to complications from lung issues after battling cancer, was a central figure in the San Francisco music scene.
- He was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in 2017 for his climate change advocacy.
The event will center on “gratitude, remembrance, and togetherness,” with special tributes planned to honor the late artist. Representatives confirmed there will be no live performances.
From Psychedelic Rockers to Jam Band Gods
Weir co-founded the Grateful Dead, guiding their evolution from a psychedelic rock band known as the Warlocks to the godfathers of the jam band genre. His distinctive, syncopated guitar style, modeled after McCoy Tyner’s left hand, became a defining element of the band’s sound.
The Grateful Dead persevered through numerous challenges, including health scares and changing musical trends, remaining vital until Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995. Throughout their career, they performed over 2,300 concerts and sold more than 35 million albums.
Beyond the Dead: A Legacy of Music and Activism
Following the band’s dissolution, Weir continued to explore his musical passions through various projects, including Furthur and Dead & Company. In 2017, he was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, recognizing his dedication to fighting climate change and his role on the advisory board of Tribal Planet. “I’d also like to see people reflexively consider the good of the planet in the choices they regularly make,” he told one publication in 2017.
“Homecoming: Celebrating the life of Bobby Weir” will be held at:
Civic Center Plaza *Please enter through Fulton Plaza.
335 McAllister St
San Francisco, CA
Those interested in attending can RSVP here.
