We would like to wish a very happy 77th birthday to Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. For more than 50 years, Weir has been at the forefront of one of the most iconic bands in music history, stealing faces wherever he can and sending fans into the stratosphere with his nuanced playing. Weir’s unique style and approach to the guitar are more like a jazz pianist, with his thoughtful harmonic phrasing and creative chord inversions. From a fresh-faced lad to an elder statesman of rock and roll, he has been there for the music since day one and continues to push it forward with youthful zeal.
In honor of Weir’s birthday, we take a look back at some classic performances by “The Kid” through the years, from his days in the Grateful Dead to Furthur, Ratdog, Dead & Company, and more.
“Born Cross Eyed” – The Carousel, San Francisco, CA – 2/14/68
[Video: 1982Col]
“That’s It For The Other One” – Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA – 11/7/69
[Video: John Philbin]
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” – Wembley Empire Pool, London, ENG – 4/7/72
[Video: Shane McFarland]
“Jack Straw” – Old Renaissance Faire Grounds, Veneta, OR – 8/27/72
“One More Saturday Night” – Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY – 5/8/77
“Lazy Lightning” > “Supplication” – Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke University, Durham, NC – 4/12/78
[Video: SnookyFlowers1]
“Cassidy” – Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY – 10/31/80
[Video: LoloYodel]
“Throwing Stones” > “Not Fade Away” – Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA – 12/31/85
[Video: SnookyFlowers1]
“Looks Like Rain” – Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA – 10/3/87
[Video: LoloYodel]
“Let It Grow” – JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA – 7/7/89
“Feel Like A Stranger” – Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ – 7/10/89
[Video: IkoIko95]
“The Music Never Stopped” – Bayfront Park Amphitheater, Miami, FL – 2/5/10
[Video: titleguy11]
“Lost Sailor” > “Saint Of Circumstance” – Rafael Film Center, San Rafael, CA – 6/21/11
[Video: nowiknowuryder]
“Mama Tried” > “Big River” – Oakdale Theater, Wallingford, CT – 4/7/12
[Video: Stellablu477]
“Easy Answers” – House Of Blues, Boston, MA – 2/24/14
[Video: Scott Medeiros]
“Estimated Prophet” – Fare Thee Well, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL – 7/5/15
[Video: LazyLightning55a]
“Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire On the Mountain” – Fare Thee Well, Chicago, IL – 7/3/16
[Video: LazyLightning55a]
“Bird Song” > “Miss You” w/ Trey Anastasio – Wanee Festival at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park – 4/22/17
[Video: Suwannee HD Streams]
Dead & Company – “Estimated Prophet” – Playing In The Sand, Riviera Maya, MX – 1/16/20
Dead & Company – “Bird Song” – SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY – 8/27/21
[Originally published 10/16/17]