Bob Weir’s Poignant Words On Grief And Jerry Garcia’s Death Resonate Deeply

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One of the world’s best musicians, the Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir, granted an uncommonly personal, and rather, deep view on how he coped with sadness, in this instance Jerry Garcia’s death. His faiths, around taking the dead with him and finding them in the music, have already by far won the public over as well as those who are mourning.

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The video fragment featured an interview with Weir that was not very easy to access before, in which he was asked how he managed to deal with the death of Garcia in the year 1995. The response of Weir stated nothing but the confirmation of the unbroken relationship. “I’m really not sure if I ever have,” he said, pointing at the complete death of the relationship. Weir recounted that he tricked himself into thinking it was what Jerry would have wanted, so he took the road trip. “And there he was,” Weir proclaimed. “I could hear him at the back of my mind. I could sense him… our bond never got any better. Never much changed.”

Weir further explained his position, which partly derived from artist Laurie Anderson’s concept that humans do transform into other beings—into music, into love, etc. The phrase “I just carry them with me” was his rather blunt statement. Weir also expressed his belief in the immortality of the soul and the potential of reincarnation, hence, “limited point in grieving your own loss when you should actually feel happy for their liberation.” The devil may care attitude was thus won over by many who read the post, and hence, the entire world turned out to be brightened.

Numerous posts of thanks and nostalgia overwhelmed the comments section. A user who was not hesitant to disclose their whole waiting lifetime for the Dead during the Dead’s short existence said, “Bob Weir in no way, shape, or form, is still in the world today, he is just living in another realm. ‘Thanks for a real good time!’” A second person simply state, “I share Bobby’s POV,” and made it more vivid by lots of love emoticons.

Certain people found in specific phrases the essence of their spiritual reinforcement. “‘I carry them with me’….what a simple feeling but so beautiful, so moving, I will always keep that in my mind,” one wrote, to which another reply: “me too! I did not know it but, i think i actually do this.” The part about being “happy for their liberation” was a common quote. “That’s hard but I love it!” a user exclaimed, while another was quite impressed by the thought as well: “I love that perspective.”

The original purpose of the post turned out to be a virtual vigil where people would mourn together and share their personal stories, thus, it had the unintended effect of being a place for mourning together. A user asserting that he had been working with Weir for a long time wrote, “Heartbroken..I worked with Bob and was friends with him for almost 50 yrs. There was no one like him..he spread a joy and made it a mystical ride.” Others shared their memories of the first Dead show, for example, the fan who was taken by his dad on Father’s Day ’95. “It changed my life,” was their only comment.

It was probably the clearest reactions of those people who felt the same relief that Weir’s words gave them when they could not escape death’s presence. “Wow! I needed this right now. Thanks!” was one comment. Another was even more concise: “I was sad all night long. I think I will follow Bob’s and be happy for his liberation.” This sentiment was expressed by other commenters as well, which indicates that Weir’s philosophy was actively helping them to cope with the loss of the artist.

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Andy Cohen’s rediscovery of this particular clip was indeed lucky. One supporter mentioned, “how fortunate we are to have this dialogue to ponder upon?” In the end, Bob Weir’s message was not so much about an ending but rather a transformation—belief that through music and memory, the connection never fades away. The artist’s words, which are being shared again now, assure that he would still be the one to accompany many fans for a long time.