News broke last week that legendary guitarist Bob Weir, a founding member of The Grateful Dead, passed away at the age of 78. Family shared the news on social media last Saturday, describing him as, "a guiding force whose unique artistry reshaped American music."
From 1965-95, The Grateful Dead transformed roots music beginnings into the most famous jam band in the world. After disbanding, Weir went on to play in a number of different groups, including Kingfish, RatDog, and Furthur. But it was the more recent Dead & Company — with the reunion of Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann alongside contemporary shredders and jammers like John Mayer — that helped cement The Grateful Dead's intergenerational legacy. The group's played 30 nights at The Sphere in Las Vegas during 2024, which became the 10th highest grossing residency of all time.
Tributes poured in from all around the music industry, many of which have incredible photos and stories, including these below from renowned roots musicians. Read more from his hometown newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle, and a great tribute in The Ringer by rock journalist and author Steven Hyden.
A communal gathering, "Homecoming: Celebrating the life of Bobby Weir," will take place on Saturday, January 17 at 12:45pm PST at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco. According to a press release, "A short sacred stop on his homecoming journey, the gathering will center on gratitude, remembrance, and togetherness, along with special tributes to honor Bobby."
In other roots music news, the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma will honor the 60th anniversary of Blonde on Blonde with a special tribute concert at Cain’s Ballroom on Friday, February 20, 2026. Comedian and The Daily Show co-host and senior correspondent Jordan Klepper will emcee the event, which will feature performances by The Cactus Blossoms, The McCrary Sisters, Chuck Prophet, former US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, and more. Visit the Bob Dylan Center for information on tickets.
José González announced a new album, Against the Dying of the Light, due out March 27th via Mute Records. The lauded singer-songwriter shared the title track this week, his music in four years.
Banjoist Tony Trischka announced a new album, as well. Earl Jam 2, a companion piece to 2023's Grammy and IBMA Award-nominated Earl Jam, is due out March 13 via Down The Road Records. Check out the lead single, a cover of John Hartford's "Gentle On My Mind" with Billy Strings below.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Sweet Petunia - "Grub" (from their forthcoming album, Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown, due out March 13 via Righteous Babe Records)
Gogol Bordello - "Ignition" (featuring Liev Schreiber, from the band's forthcoming album, We Mean It, Man!, out on February 13 via Casa Gogol Records)
Remember Sports - "Nevermind" (from their forthcoming album, The Refrigerator, out February 13 via Get Better Records)
Chet Faker - "Far Side of the Moon" (from his forthcoming album A Love For Strangers, due out out February 13 via BMG)
GWAR - "Pink Pony Club" (Chappell Roan cover via The AV Club)
NEW RELEASES – 1/16/26
Courtney Marie Andrews - Valentine
Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore - Tragic Magic
The James Hunter Six - Off The Fence
Jana Horn - Jana Horn
David Huckfelt - I WAS BORN BUT
Imarhan - Essam
Langhorne Slim - The Dreamin' Kind
Mike Mattison & Trash Magic - Turn A Midnight Corner
Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel - Celestun
COMING SOON - 1/23/26
Sammy Brue- The Journals
Della Mae - Magic Accident
Sophia Gault - Unhinged
Julian Lage - Scenes From Above
The Lowest Pair - Always As Young As We’ll Ever Be
Paper Kites - If You Go There, I Hope You Find It
Lucinda Williams - World's Gone Wrong
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