In my opinion the most versatile rhythm guitarist in the world is Bob Weir. There I said it! Yeah, yeah, I know a lot of rock and roll enthusiasts will scream, Keith Richards. And believe me I am a huge fan.
However, the difference between the two styles are monumental. Keith’s sound is crisp, his timing precise. Bobby has a unique grasp of rhythmic pregressions and his power chords bristle with a cosmic energy, Keith lacks.
As a character in a science fiction series, Weir brings a wide range of antics to his role. It has been duly documented; he is a true prankster, a skilled anarchist and a good friend to have. His understated wit, leading man looks, provide a wide variety of options for the plot. Bob is a natural antagonist who can elicit a positive response from his actions.
In Devine Intervention, Bob Weir and his sister Wendy play small, yet crucial roles in alerting Dead Heads about the Sphere of Spin and Modulation. A movement that can save the planet.
I always considered Bobby the Master of Ceremonies. A link between Rock and Roll and free form Jazz. The infinite jams and traditional guitar phrasing requires a stable influence on which to end a sequence. Bobby fills that role. He plays off of Jerry’s emphatic voice like a dense wall of cosmic logic. What can I say… he fits the bill.
