It’s still a blur to me in all of the best ways possible. Bobby Weir and all of his post Jerry Garcia Grateful Dead projects were a huge part of my life. When I was the most lost in my life, the Dead’s music made me feel that at least I wasn’t lost alone. I met my wife through their music. I met some amazing friends along the way and with countless shows under my belt, I still wish I could have more. Bobby passed away on January 26, 2026 and suddenly, our summer feels empty. It feels like it’s been forever yet just yesterday that we were watching him rip that old Stratocaster to shreds with some of the most wicked rhythm guitar playing. It’ll never get easier knowing that I’ll never see him again but thankfully, the man left behind more fucking music than God so his spirit and legacy will continue to live, grow, and find those that are looking for that one thing that will change their life for the better.
Today, Bobby would’ve been 79 years old today and coincidentally, he shared his birthday with close friend and band mate John Mayer. In classic Bobby fashion, the man who gave us all so much continues to give even after he’s gone.
In commemoration of the occasion, Rhino has shared a previously unreleased studio recording from the sessions that yielded Weir’s 2016 album, Blue Mountain. “The Ground Don’t Want Me” features lyrics by Josh Ritter and music by Weir, Ritter and Josh Kaufman.
In addition to Weir who sings and plays both acoustic and electric guitar on the track, “The Ground Don’t Want Me” also features John Mayer (acoustic lead guitar), Jay Lane (drums, percussion), Josh Kaufman (electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica, Hammond organ), Robin Sylvester (bass, backing vocals), Leslie Mendelson (backing vocals) and Annie Nero (backing vocals).
Mayer’s participation is notable, as while he began performing with Weir in Dead & Company during the fall of 2015, he did not officially appear on the 2016 version of Blue Mountain.
The newly released “The Ground Don’t Want Me” can be heard here. Ritter’s interpretation of the song later surfaced as the lead track of his 2019 album Fever Breaks.
Blue Mountain: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be released on November 20. It will offer additional unreleased studio recordings along with some live tracks from Weir’s fall 2016 Campfire Tour.
A new 180-gram 2LP vinyl reissue of the original Blue Mountain is also available today exclusively at dead.net.
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