Robert Hall Weir (né Parber, born October 16, 1947) is an American musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the group disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with the Other Ones, later known as the Dead, alongside former Grateful Dead members.
He also founded and played in several bands, including Kingfish, Bob Weir Band, Bobby and the Midnites, Scaring the Children, RatDog, and Furthur, which he co-led with Phil Lesh. In 2015, he formed Dead & Company with Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti. Weir played rhythm guitar and sang many rock & roll and country & western songs for the Grateful Dead. In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Bob Weir Net Worth
Bob Weir has a net worth of $60 million. In 2020, he listed the Mill Valley, California home he purchased for his biological father for $1.395 million after his father’s passing.
Weir owns another Mill Valley home, a vacant lot, a house in Stinson Beach, and a property in Menlo Park near his childhood home. In March 2022, he bought a Silver Lake, Los Angeles home for $2.1 million, paying $500,000 over the asking price.
Early life
Weir was born in San Francisco, California, to John (Jack) Parber (1925–2015) and Phyllis Inskeep (1924–1997), who later gave him up for adoption. He was raised by adoptive parents Frederic Utter Weir and Eleanor (née Cramer) Weir in Atherton. Weir began playing guitar at age thirteen after unsuccessful attempts with piano and trumpet.
He struggled in school due to undiagnosed dyslexia and was expelled from nearly every school he attended, including Menlo School in Atherton and Fountain Valley School in Colorado, where he met John Perry Barlow, future Grateful Dead lyricist.
Career
At 16, Bob Weir met Jerry Garcia in a music store on New Year’s Eve, leading to an all-night jam session and the formation of a band that became the Grateful Dead. As rhythm guitarist, Weir faced criticism in 1968 for his musical contributions but improved his guitar mastery and remained a core member.
In 1972, he released Ace, featuring Playing in the Band. After Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995, Weir formed RatDog and joined Grateful Dead reunions under the name The Dead.
Personal life
Bob Weir lived with Frankie Hart from 1969 to 1975, who allegedly inspired Sugar Magnolia. In 1999, he married Natascha Münter in Mill Valley, California, and they have daughters Shala Monet Weir and Chloe Kaelia Weir. Weir is a vegetarian and advocate for animal rights, helping found Farm Sanctuary.
He serves on the boards of Rex Foundation, Furthur Foundation, HeadCount, and Jerry Garcia Foundation. He supports Rainforest Action Network and Little Kids Rock, providing free musical instruments to children.
What was the last thing Jerry Garcia said to Bob Weir?
“Always a hoot,” Jerry Garcia said to Bob Weir as they both walked offstage at their last show together. “Always a hoot.” Those were the last words they ever exchanged.
Conclusion
Bob Weir’s financial journey mirrors his artistic one – diverse, successful, and influential. His net worth is a testament to his impact on the music industry and his ability to adapt and thrive in various musical landscapes.
FAQs about Bob Weir
- What is Bob Weir’s primary source of income? Bob Weir’s primary source of income has been his music career, including performances, album sales, and royalties.
- Has Bob Weir been inducted into any Halls of Fame? Yes, Bob Weir was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead.
- Does Bob Weir have any solo albums? Yes, Bob Weir has released solo albums, including the notable “Ace” in 1972.
- How has Bob Weir contributed to music outside of performing? Weir has been influential as a songwriter and has collaborated with numerous artists, expanding his impact beyond just performances.
- What is the status of Dead & Company? As of the latest updates, Dead & Company, featuring Bob Weir, continues to tour and perform, maintaining the Grateful Dead’s legacy.
