Hundreds of Deadheads converged on San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood to celebrate the life of Bob Weir on Saturday, just one day after the Grateful Dead co-founder passed away at age 78.
The celebration unfolded across multiple Haight Street venues throughout the afternoon and evening, transforming the historic neighborhood—where the Grateful Dead first emerged from the psychedelic scene of the 1960s—into a living tribute to Weir’s enduring spirit. True to form, the mood was anything but somber. Deadheads filled the streets with music, stories, and the kind of communal joy that Weir himself would have wanted.
Fans gathered outside the clothing store Further to kick off the celebration with an afternoon set by Okeba. The festivities continued into the evening at Psychedelic SF Gallery, where local keyboardist Jordan Feinstein assembled a band featuring JGB members JP McLean and Jeremy Hoenig, Jon Chi, and more for a joyous three-hour set of Grateful Dead classics. Reed Mathis, who has played with Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann in his band Billy & the Kids, dropped by to join in on “The Music Never Stopped” along with vocalist Jeannette Ferber. The day culminated with Mason’s Children taking the stage from 6–11 p.m.
As the Grateful Dead community continues to mourn Weir’s loss, this is sure to be the first of many tributes and celebrations for the beloved guitarist, who inspired countless musicians and millions of fans across the world.