In the summer of 1968, three years into the Grateful Dead’s existence, the band fired singer and rhythm guitarist Bob Weir. Jerry Garcia, the band’s other guitarist and its reluctant leader, and bassist Phil Lesh had decided that Weir and keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan were dragging the band down musically.

The inimitable Bobby Ace played guitar alongside Jerry Garcia for over three decades. His unique style and merry personality helped shape the sound and spirit of the Grateful Dead, and his lifelong dedication to the band helped make them immortal.

I was outside taking a set break during a gig with my band Saturday night, when several members of the group saw the same news on their phones — longtime Grateful Dead, RatDog and Dead & Co. rhythm guitarist and singer Bob Weir had died at the age of 78.

Weir performed at the Hampton Casino Ballroom on a night fans would never forget, the night his bandmate Jerry Garcia died.

The long strange trip that is the Grateful Dead and its primary offshoot, Dead & Company, has truly faded into grey with the passing of Bob Weir. Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark,

Photo: Geoff Tishman Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., has received a pair of Jerry Garcia tribute guitars on loan from the Grateful

Comedians Concrete & Jerry Garcia are set to bring their “That’s Not Me” comedy tour to downtown Stockton, performing live at Bob Hope Theatre on Saturday, March