Bob Weir Confirms He’s Writing A Book & Still Working On Solo Album

Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir is a busy man. Not only will he soon embark on an extensive Dead & Company tour, but as he told The Guardian in a new interview “I’m also doing a TV show, I’m writing a book and I’ve got a solo record coming out.” While Bobby has previously discussed his long-in-the-making album of cowboy songs and his work on a new Amazon television series, we’re excited to see he’s finally working on a book.

Weir mentioned potentially penning a memoir during an interview with Rolling Stone last year. When asked his thoughts about participating in a film about his life (last year’s The Other One: The Long Strange Trip Of Bob Weir), Bobby responded “I’ve felt for the longest time that I’ve got to write a book. I’m going to have to do it, I realize, but this gives me another year or two to gin up the resolve to do. This buys me some time. So I jumped at the chance.” While there’s no mention of what he’s currently writing, here’s hoping it’s a memoir.

The guitarist was asked about how he thought last year’s Fare Thee Well concerts featuring the Grateful Dead’s “core four” along with Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Chimenti went. “It was an adventure. If we had a little more rehearsal, the music may have been a little tighter, but I think we delivered the goods. Everybody went there to celebrate the legacy, and that’s what got done, and done good and proper,” Weir responded.

Bob also discussed Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh’s recent cancer scare. “I just saw him, played with him last weekend and he seemed fine,” said Weir. “If it’s his time, it’s his time; I’m real matter of fact about death and dying. I view death as the last and best reward for a life well lived, so Phil can look forward to dying, but I don’t think he’s there yet.” Bobby said that although Phil prefers playing smaller shows and staying off tour, “I’m still good for hitting the road.”

Among the other topics Weir discussed with The Guardian is the upcoming American presidential election. “I think if Hillary [Clinton] – who is in all likelihood going to be nominated for the Democrats – wins, it will be because she incorporates a lot of what Bernie Sanders is saying, and the government will tilt that way,” Bobby said. “If Trump wins, I think the whole thing is going to blow up and we’re going to start over, and that’s always a good thing to do.” Head here from more from Weir including his thoughts on the Desert Trip festival in Indio and what he likes about performing with John Mayer.

Bobby kept busy this past weekend by performing with Steve Kimock & Friends at Sweetwater Music Hall on Friday and at the Einstein Gala in Toronto on Sunday. Watch HD video of Weir aiding Kimock & Friends on “Dancing In the Streets > Bird Song > The Other One” on Friday shared by Deadheadland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg2BmobflgU