Phish bassist Mike Gordon’s admiration for Bob Weir spanned decades, from childhood concert experiences to intimate moments at Weir’s Hawaiian home. Their connection, rooted in a shared musical landscape and a mutual respect, unfolded through collaborations, near-misses, and a deep exploration of creativity and well-being. Gordon recently shared these reflections with Rolling Stone while preparing for his spring solo tour, offering a glimpse into the multifaceted personality of the Grateful Dead guitarist.
Gordon described Weir as a figure of captivating contradictions. As a young fan, he perceived Weir as the quintessential rock star – a bit self-conscious, with a flair for performance. Yet, his playing style was remarkably selfless, seamlessly weaving into the music without drawing undue attention to itself, while still possessing a profound eloquence. This dichotomy extended to Weir’s personality, appearing reserved and stoic, yet proving to be one of the warmest people Gordon had ever met. “It’s not often that I meet a hero of mine, some rock star, and then just have him write his phone number down for me, not really knowing me,” Gordon recalled. “And then staying in touch over the years and always responding.”
Their professional paths intersected in various ways. Gordon recounted their time together at TRI Studios, owned by Weir, where they participated in “flow-state experiments” – neurological research aimed at understanding the conditions that foster peak creative performance. These experiments, detailed in Musician Voice, involved both musicians and scientists monitoring brain activity and physiological responses during improvisation. Gordon described Weir’s willingness to engage with the scientific process, even while experimenting with altered states of consciousness. “I had a little bit of gummy something or chocolate, something with THC, maybe a little bit of mushrooms,” Gordon admitted, “I was really kind of out of my head, floating a little bit.”
Gordon also revealed that he was once considered for a role in Dead & Company, John Mayer’s collaboration with remaining members of the Grateful Dead. While the opportunity didn’t materialize, the experience offered valuable insights into Weir’s musical philosophy. Weir, according to Gordon, emphasized the importance of vocals as the focal point of a song, with all other elements serving to enhance the lyrical narrative. “He would stop them and he would say, ‘Look, the singing is the face of the song. Everything serves that,’” Gordon shared, reflecting Weir’s emphasis on storytelling through music.
Beyond the studio and potential band affiliations, Gordon and Weir forged a personal connection. Gordon described a visit to Weir’s beach house, where they engaged in guided meditation, barefoot running, and vegan meals. Weir, despite his legendary status, embraced a holistic lifestyle, balancing a history of “raging” with a commitment to health and wellness. “The fact that he really lived life hard, but then later in life [was very healthy] — one of those last experiences was going to his beach house,” Gordon said. “Everything about him was a daily routine of health, after daily routines of raging, probably.”
Gordon fondly remembered a story Weir shared about a youthful encounter with blues musician Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. The tale involved a daring climb onto a club roof and an accidental fall through a skylight, landing directly into a green room where Elliott was waiting. “Those kinds of stories are priceless,” Gordon remarked, highlighting Weir’s gift for storytelling and his ability to find humor in unexpected situations.
Gordon also reflected on Weir’s perspective on digital music, noting his belief that it detracted from the listening experience and hindered musical discovery. Weir, a devoted analog enthusiast, maintained a dedicated listening room at his beach house, complete with a tube stereo, turntable, and a vast collection of records. “He believed that digital music was ruining music, that it was unlistenable and made it so people couldn’t discover as many kinds of music,” Gordon explained.
Phish and Weir’s paths crossed onstage as well. Gordon recalled a performance where Weir spontaneously joined Phish, despite the band’s general reluctance to have guest musicians. “We had already played with Phil Lesh at Shoreline the year earlier,” Gordon said. “I remember I got this feeling from the band…that we just don’t have guests. As legendary as they are, it changes the flow that we get into.” Despite initial reservations, Weir’s willingness to embrace the unfamiliar and “rage in the situation” made for a memorable collaboration. According to Jon Fishman, it was “the best sit-in ever.”
Gordon characterized Weir as a vital component of the Grateful Dead’s success. He saw in Weir a unique blend of youthful energy and musical intuition, a counterpoint to Jerry Garcia’s more nurturing presence. “I don’t think, for me, it could have worked without Bob’s contribution of just that, almost like a kid or a wannabe cowboy wanting to be on this adventure,” Gordon concluded. “He went on so many adventures in life, and I just think he totally succeeded.”
