Country music star Zach Bryan has shared a poignant tribute to the late Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir, revealing a remarkable coincidence that connects them. Bryan disclosed that he was gifted one of Weir's personal touring guitars as a wedding present merely days before the legendary musician's death.
A Poignant Wedding Gift
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Monday to honour Weir, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 78. In his post, Bryan recounted how his new wife, Samantha Leonard, presented him with the significant gift after their private New Year's Eve wedding ceremony in Spain.
"Rest in peace to Bob Weir. That guy f***n rocked," Bryan wrote. "The day Sammy and me got hitched she gave me a present and I opened it and it was his telecaster from all his days on the road." He concluded his heartfelt message by stating, "We all love you and we will all miss you."
Remembering a Music Legend
Weir's death was confirmed by his family in a statement released on Saturday. They revealed the musician "succumbed to underlying lung issues" after a battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in July 2025 and underwent treatment before making an emotional return to the stage at California's Golden Gate Park the following month.
His family described his final performances as "emotional, soulful, and full of light" and noted they were "not farewells, but gifts." The statement added that Weir "transitioned peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after courageously beating cancer as only Bobby could."
New Music and Personal Tributes
In the same Instagram post where he paid homage to Weir, Bryan also announced the release of an acoustic version of his latest album, With Heaven On Top. He described it as a project for the "weird audiophiles" who prefer a stripped-back sound, saying it was recorded with just "a mic and guitar and a very pretty girl and a very small dog."
Bryan's marriage to Leonard has been a source of public celebration. He previously posted a picture of the couple with the caption "Tougher than the rest," while she shared additional photos marked "forever xx." His new album features an ode to Leonard in the song "Slicked Back," with lyrics praising her cool demeanour and shared love for "romance, good sex, music and ruling the world."
The album also contains tracks that appear to reference his previous relationship with TikTok personality Brianna 'Chickenfry' LaPaglia, whom he dated from July 2023 until October 2024. This blend of personal history and musical tribute underscores a significant period in the artist's life, now forever linked to the legacy of a rock icon through the strings of a gifted guitar.
