Jeff Chimenti, Tom Hamilton Jr., Al Schnier, Mikaela Davis Reflect on Bobby Weir’s Influence 

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Bobby Weir attached himself to a star and ascended into the cosmos. In the days that have lapsed since Weir’s passing at age 78, his friends, collaborators, and bandmates have volunteered their memories and offered thanks to the Grateful Dead’s original member on social media. 

Jeff Chimenti:

🙏🏼🌹🙏🏼BOBBY🙏🏼🌹🙏🏼

With HEAVIEST of HEART,

(And this is written much later than thought would be) as I’d go from having endless words on hand, to a numb mind void of thought with the Shock and utter Sadness on the sudden passing of Dear Friend…Brother…Mentor…Bobby Weir!

I’m just reflecting on the fact that 29 years ago (more than half of my life), you graciously welcomed me into your world and “family” to be able to be your bandmate on all the different bands/projects over the years and get to share in the many many magical nights of music and unparalleled life experiences together that I would not have had otherwise! What an amazing ride!!

In addition to your belief in me, you taught me so much about music and just life in general! As a result, I am a better person for it and I can’t THANK YOU enough for that and am

ETERNALLY INDEBTED!!

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

You have touched the lives of millions of people and I am Truly HONORED and BLESSED to have been one of them and your spirit will stay with me for the rest of my life!!

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

I know our journey is on “pause” for now and you are once again with your “Family” in the Heavens, but I will see you again My Friend!!

I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!! ♥️♥️♥️

RIP DEAR BROTHER BOB!!

Tom Hamilton Jr.: 

I would in no way ever be bold enough to consider myself one of Bob Weir’s friends BUT we spent some quality time together and dude, it was just the fucking best.

He’s everything you would hope he was. Interesting and interested. He spoke about music paternally in big wisdoms, but also was just some dude hanging out who knew a good dick joke. He exuded charisma and had an olympic level of not giving a fuck. Dude could control a room and knew how to tell a story, and man he had them by the barrel. He’d casually talk about Jerry, Pigpen, or a litany of people from back in the day that I grew up obsessing over and I realized “oh right, these are just his buds that he used to hang with” like I talk about folks from Wetlands days or something. It was sweet.

In the years since we started playing together he has always been so kind with his time and generally just down to clown. Sit in with American Babies, having me sit in with Wolf Brothers, or being down to prank the crowd at Lockn. That’s a cool motherfucker.

I’ve loved Bob Weir the musician since I was four years old and man, I fucking LOVED the Bob Weir I was lucky enough to spend some time with as an adult. The music will live on for generations and I hope the lore of him as a person persists equally. Bob Weir was the truth

I’m sure he’s with Pigpen, Keith, Brent, Phil, and Donna trying to figure out who should play drums tonight, Tony Williams or Keith Moon. I’m gonna go find a OUIJA board and see if he’ll put my dad on the guest list…

Al Schnier:

I love Bobby so much & I’ve been thinking about him non-stop for the last 3 days. We’ve known each other for almost 30 years, which in itself speaks to the miles & times we were lucky to share together. Bobby was a sweet man, a wizard, and had the wit & wisdom of an old cowboy – even 30 years ago. I’m honored to have been in his orbit & my heart goes out to all the friends & family who surely feel the same. I take comfort in the music Bobby passed along, which I’m lucky to continue to share. Being a part of that oral tradition of sharing the Great American Songbook is an honor & privilege, & thru that Bobby will live on. Rest in peace Chief. ❤️

Mikaela Davis: 

There’s so much to be said, Bobby changed my life. Long story short – I was invited to sit in with Bob Weir & Wolf Bros in 2018 at a time in my life where I needed it most. I wasn’t super familiar with the songbook of the Grateful Dead yet and hadn’t improvised all that much either. Needless to say— Bob, Don and Jay were extremely gracious and made me feel right at home. He wanted to share the magic with as many people as possible. It was all about the music, the connection on stage and how to have a conversation without saying a word.

That first show cracked my world wide open. The last time I played with Bob was three years ago at The Capitol Theatre. One of the songs he wanted harp on was “Days Between” and I thought a lot about how precious and fleeting life is but never thought that would be the last time we’d play together. John and I were lucky enough to see Dead & Co’s final show at Golden Gate Park last summer and he sounded stronger than ever. My heart goes out to Natascha, Monet, Chloe, family and friends.

The Grateful Dead are the greatest American rock & roll band of all time! Thank you Bob & Phil for giving me and countless others the greatest gift of all, music and community. Big love ♾️💌🥀

Dave Schools: 

Fare-thee-well now

Let your life proceed by its own design

Nothing to tell now

Let the words be yours, I’m done with mine

Flight of the seabirds, scattered like lost words

Wheel to the storm and fly

Fly on Bobby. You bet.

Peter Ansach: 

Rest easy Bobby. Thank you for forging such a strong path of creativity and rebelliousness for us all. I always appreciated how you lifted up those around you and gave everybody an opportunity to share in the groove.

I’ll never forget the first Grateful Dead jam I ever heard of ‘Playin In The Band’ back in High School. Bob’s playing was otherworldly. I always loved how he could weave in and out of the rest of the members so musically. It was truly a great honor to play with him and I’ll miss him so much. ❤️

Lettuce:

Thank you for LETTing us join you on this long strange trip…Rest in Peace @bobweir 🌹

Kyle Hollingsworth:

So incredibly saddened by the passing of Bob Weir. I spent many of my formative years dancing and watching from the audience. What a blessing to have had a moment with him. May his love light shine on. Rest in peace, Bobby.

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