A heartfelt performance of John Mayer’s song Ripple at Bob Weir’s public memorial

Thousands of fans and fellow musicians gathered in San Francisco yesterday to pay homage to the late Bob Weir, the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist, with John Mayer delivering a deeply emotional performance of the classic song Ripple.

Weir, who passed away on 10 January 2026 after battling cancer complicated by underlying lung issues, was remembered as a tireless and inspiring musician. His official statement noted:

“He transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could.”

The memorial, held at Civic Center Plaza on 17 January, featured musical tributes from figures including Mickey Hart, Joan Baez, and Mayer himself. Mayer, who performed alongside Weir for years with Grateful Dead offshoot Dead & Company, offered a heartfelt eulogy and a moving rendition of Weir’s 1970 composition Ripple.

Reflecting on their decade-long musical partnership, Mayer told the assembled Deadheads:

“He taught me, among many other things, to trust in the moment, and I’d like to think I taught him a little to rely on a plan—not to replace the divine moments, but to lure them closer. Bob took a chance on me. He gave me musical community, he gave me this community.”

Mayer further emphasised Weir’s generosity, noting how the guitarist shared his songbook and imparted the deeper meaning behind each piece. In return, Mayer promised he gave “everything I had, night after night, year after year.” He also acknowledged the collective sense of loss felt by fans, celebrating decades of devotion and communal joy inspired by Weir’s music.

He concluded by paraphrasing a Leon Russell lyric, which he felt reflected Weir’s enduring spirit:

“Listen to the melody, because my love is in there hiding… And so we will all keep listening together. 300 years, Bobby, now that’s a plan I can get behind.”

Last August, Weir celebrated 60 years in music with a three-night Dead & Company residency at Golden Gate Park. Their final performance concluded with Touch of Grey, a song whose lyric “Every silver lining’s got a touch of grey” has since become emblematic of the delicate balance of joy and sorrow in life—a sentiment poignantly underscored by Weir’s passing.

Homages have also appeared worldwide, including the Empire State Building illuminated in tie-dye colours to mark his legacy. Music journalist Mark Beaumont highlighted Weir’s influence on contemporary rock, citing the 2015 tribute box set Day of the Dead, featuring artists from The Flaming Lips to Sharon Van Etten.

Key Memorial Details

Bob Weir’s legacy endures not only through his music but also through the countless artists and fans he inspired. Mayer’s poignant tribute served as a reminder of the profound impact one musician can have on generations, keeping the spirit of the Grateful Dead alive for decades to come.