Thousands of fans celebrate life of legendary Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir in San Francisco

Thousands of mourners gathered at San Francisco’s Civic Center to celebrate Bob Weir, the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist who died last week at 78. Musicians Joan Baez and John Mayer spoke on a makeshift stage. Fans passed around long-stemmed red roses, which are integral to the Dead’s music and art. They wrote appreciative notes of gratitude and love. The San Francisco Bay Area native joined the Grateful Dead in 1965. The Dead played music that pulled in blues, jazz, country, folk and psychedelia in long improvisational jams. Their fans crossed generational divides and often followed them on tours. Weir died Jan. 10.