Saint of Circumstance: The Music of Bob Weir

At 17, Bob Weir dropped out of high school to join a band.

He began as its least accomplished musician; within a decade, he had become one of its central creative forces.

Often overshadowed by Jerry Garcia, Weir shaped the sound and evolution of the Grateful Dead through a highly original approach to rhythm guitar, using shifting chords, open space, and constant interplay with the band.

This course traces that transformation, from the Dead’s early years in the 1960s through Weir’s creative surge in the 1970s, when his songs pushed them into new harmonic and structural territory and his stage presence defined their live shows.

After the band's final chapter in 1995, Weir continued to reinvent his work through new collaborations, including performances with symphony orchestras, and remained a vital creative presence until his death in January 2026.

Participants will gain a deep appreciation for Weir’s restless creativity and artistry and the sound he wove into the fabric of American music.

Guest speakers include: Blair Jackson A leading chronicler of the Grateful Dead's history, Blair Jackson is the author of Garcia: An American Life and Grateful Dead Gear , and co-author of This Is All a Dream We Dreamed: An Oral History of the Grateful Dead .

He co-founded and published The Golden Road , a celebrated fanzine devoted to the band.

Jesse Jarnow Writer, DJ, and co-producer of the official podcast The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast , Jesse Jarnow brings deep context and enthusiasm to the world of the Grateful Dead.

Since 2009, he has been documenting every era of the band’s history, and his book Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America reveals his knack for connecting music to broader cultural stories.

Gary Lambert With more than five decades in the music industry and a deep affinity for the Grateful Dead, Gary Lambert is the founding editor of The Grateful Dead Almanac , the band’s official newsletter.

He is the co-host of the SiriusXM radio show Tales from the Golden Road .

His rich archive of commentary and storytelling makes him a trusted voice on the band's legacy.

Nate LaPointe Multi-instrumentalist and freelance musician Nate LaPointe's connection to the Grateful Dead began in childhood and included a backstage experience with Jerry Garcia.

He studied jazz at California Institute of the Arts before becoming a longtime member of the SoCal Dead tribute band Cubensis.

He has also shared the stage with Phil Lesh, Stu Allen, Barry Sless, and other luminaries of the Dead and jam band scenes.

Don Was A Grammy-winning producer, bassist, and president of Blue Note Records since 2011, Don Was has shaped albums for artists from The Rolling Stones to Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

His ties to the Grateful Dead run deep—from 2018 until Bob Weir's death in 2026, Was toured as a member of Weir's band, Wolf Bros, bringing his signature musicianship to the Dead's continuing legacy.

This course combines close listening, guided discussion, and guest speakers.