Watch John Mayer Lead ‘Ripple’ Performance At Bobby Weir Memorial In San Francisco
The late Grateful Dead guitarist’s Dead & Company bandmate also gave a heartfelt eulogy.
By Scott Bernstein Jan 19, 2026 • 6:53 am PST
John Mayer emotionally eulogized and delivered a powerful solo acoustic version of “Ripple” at a public ceremony honoring the late Bob Weir on Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. The free public memorial, “Homecoming: Celebrating the life of Bobby Weir,” also featured touching speeches from Mickey Hart, Joan Baez, San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as well as Weir’s widow and daughters, among others, in tribute to the Grateful Dead co-founding guitarist.
An estimated 20,000+ attended the event at Civic Center Plaza, which followed a three-block procession. Bill Kreutzmann, Trey Anastasio, Willie Nelson, Bruce Hornsby, 49ers players George Kittle and Nick Bosa, Dave Matthews, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Wynonna Judd, Sammy Hagar, Jack Johnson and Primus’ Les Claypool and Larry “Ler” LaLonde were among those who contributed video messages aired during the celebration of Weir’s life and career.
Bob Weir devoted much time over his last 10 years to performing with Mayer as part of Dead & Company. “Over the course of a decade, we came to trust each other. He taught me, among many other things, to trust in the moment, and I’d like to think I taught him a little bit to rely on a plan, not as a substitute for the divine moments, but as a way to lure them in a little closer,” John Mayer said as part of his speech. “I guess maybe what I was really doing was showing him he could rely on me. Bob took a chance on me. He staked his entire reputation on my joining a band with him. He gave me musical community. He gave me this community.”
John Mayer ended his lengthy tribute with a sentiment that had him in tears:
There are a lot of Grateful Dead lyrics that give comfort at a time like this, but the line I find myself thinking about the most is from a Leon Russell song called ‘A Song for You.’ I’d like to think I can hear Bobby saying these words to us all this afternoon: ‘But now I’m so much better, so if my words don’t come together, listen to the melody because my love is in there hiding.’ And so we will all keep listening together. 300 years, Bobby. Now that’s a plan I can get behind. So here’s something I know would make Bobby go “eugh!”: Thank you, maestro. You changed my life. I will love you forever.
Towards the end of the memorial, John Mayer picked up a guitar as the stage was filled with Weir’s friends, family, bandmates and crew members for the poignant “Ripple.” Joan Baez, Dead & Co.’s Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane, Mickey Hart, daughters Chloe and Monet Weir and their mother Natascha Weir were part of the crew behind Mayer that helped sing the song from the Grateful Dead’s 1970 album American Beauty.
Watch a livestream replay of the entire memorial via nugs as well as footage of Mayer’s “Ripple” performance and eulogy below:
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[Transcription from Mayer’s speech via Stereogum]
