Bob Weir was the Grateful Dead's steady musical thread

Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist and occasional lead singer, died at 78, his family announced; he wrote key parts of several well-known Dead songs and was widely noted for his supportive ensemble role.

Bob Weir, the Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist and occasional lead singer, died at 78, his family announced. He was a songwriter and performer whose riffs and vamps helped shape many of the band's songs. He wrote or co-wrote signature pieces that anchored live performances and contributed to the group’s improvisatory sound. Over six decades he remained active in the Dead's later incarnations and in other bands. Key facts: - His family announced his death and said he was 78. - He served as the Grateful Dead's rhythm guitarist, songwriter and occasional lead singer, and contributed key parts to songs such as "Playing in the Band," "One More Saturday Night," "The Other One" and the outro of "Sugar Magnolia." - He was known for a self-effacing ensemble role that threaded counterpoint with other players and for drawing on styles including bluegrass, blues, country, funk, reggae, mariachi and jazz. - After Jerry Garcia's death in 1995, Weir continued performing in later Grateful Dead incarnations and led other projects such as Kingfish and Ratdog. Summary: Weir's rhythm playing and songwriting animated the Grateful Dead's collaborative, improvisatory music and figured in several of the band's most-played live numbers. Undetermined at this time.