Supergroup Dead Aces Reveals Lineup For Bob Weir Tribute At California Festival

When the lineup for May’s Maybe It Was The Roses Music Festival was announced, the act Dead Aces was included as a headliner without any details or an explanation. Eyebrows were furthered raise on Monday when keyboardist Aron Magner, guitarist Mark Karan, bassist/guitarist Reed Mathis, saxophonist Dave Ellis and drummer John Molo each posted the same Dead Aces logo to their respective social channels.

Now, a spokesman confirmed each of those talented musicians form the Dead Aces’ lineup, along with bassist and producer Don Was. The supergroup will honor late Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir with a complete performance of his 1972 debut solo album Ace at Maybe It Was The Roses on Sunday, May 31 in Ventura, California.

Each musician has shared the stage with Weir on multiple occasions. Karan and Ellis were long tenured members of Weir’s RatDog group and participated along with Molo in the first iteration of Dead-spinoff The Other Ones. Additionally, Was toured with Bobby as a key component of his Wolf Bros ensemble, while Magner and Mathis are members of Billy & The Kids (a group Weir fronted several times).

Dead Aces’ setlist at Maybe It Was The Roses will be the same as the Ace tracklist but don’t call them a tribute act or cover band. “This group of seasoned improvisational vets are intent on launching fresh explorations of the well-worn material, as their work with Weir and other members of the Grateful Dead primed them for,” according to a press release.

Maybe It Was The Roses Music Festival takes place May 29 – 31 at the Crowne Plaza in Ventura, California. Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Lebo & Friends and SPAGA Plays Dead are among other acts on the bill. Tap below for more festival and ticket information.