Bob Weir memorial draws thousands in San Francisco

Thousands gathered at San Francisco's Civic Center on Jan. 17 to celebrate Bob Weir; Joan Baez and John Mayer spoke and family members attended.

Thousands gathered at San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza on Jan. 17 to celebrate the life of Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead guitarist who died on Jan. 10. The event began with a Tibetan prayer by four Buddhist monks and featured remarks from Joan Baez and John Mayer on a makeshift stage near the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Fans placed long-stemmed red roses, lit candles and left written notes at an altar of photos. Family members, including his wife and two daughters, attended the public memorial. Event details: - Thousands of mourners attended, representing multiple generations of Dead fans and local Bay Area supporters. - The gathering opened with a Tibetan prayer by four Buddhist monks and included speakers Joan Baez and John Mayer. - A statement on Weir's Instagram announced his Jan. 10 passing, saying he beat cancer but succumbed to underlying lung issues; family members were present at the memorial. Summary: Bob Weir's public memorial brought together longtime fans, younger attendees and fellow musicians, reflecting the Grateful Dead's multigenerational reach. The ceremony emphasized remembrance through music and shared ritual. Undetermined at this time.