Here is the trailer.

I got one word that best describes Weir: "Lucky"

I am no student or expert on the band's history but come on.

I know his skills are always in question by fans, didn't the band kick him out one time for insinuations of that sort also?

But, come on...do we think he would have stayed in the band forever if his band mates didn't feel he was up to par?

Or are you referring to something else?

Ain't trying to start an argument, just curious as to what you mean?

Weir was a good singer/harmony singer during the good years of the Dead,an excellent and certainly unique songwriter(with Barlow) and a very interesting rhythm player through the years.Imperfect...yes,but a major part of Dead history,and of the band,musically.

I'll be the first to admit that Bobby isn't my favorite member and I used to go the bathroom during his "cowboy" songs. His songs were sub-par to Hunter/Garcia's with some notable exceptions (sugar mag, music never stopped, cassidy to name a few). And I never really enjoyed Ratdog or any of his other incarnations.

BUT

As a guitar player, I can attest that Bobby is one of the finest rhythm guitarists you will ever find. His playing was almost always spot on to support the leads and his choice of chord inversions is second to none. I've tried to play many of the Dead's songs as a rhythm player and I've come to appreciate his talent more and more each day. May not be your cup of tea (isn't mine) but if you play guitar, you have to appreciate the talent. Just sayin...

I've given Bobby plenty of crap over the years but, bottom line, I love him. He and Barlow did write some great songs. I even saw Bobby and the Midnights a couple times back in the early to mid eighties. I had a good time at those shows.

I'm more in the Phil and Friends camp than Ratdog's camp, but I've seen Ratdog a hand full of times and would probably go see them again.

Bob Weir was integral to the sound of the Grateful Dead and is an important part of their history.

I guess I'm just part of that group of people that think Weir, and especially Mickey Hart are at best, "average" musicians.

Mickey's last band and latest two albums were GREAT! I saw the touring ensemble half a dozen times and they never disappointed. I also caught a few "Mystery Box" shows with the Mint Juleps singing and those shows were dynamic. I didn't care much for Mickey rapping "Fire on the Mountain" but I won't condemn him for it.

I also liked his books and impressed by his scholarship. His work with the Smithsonian and work in the field recording lost and dying music has preserved sounds that would have been lost to future generations.

I've also seen him speak at the New York Open Center and am in awe of his relationship with Joseph Campbell.

I got one word that best describes Weir: "Lucky"

Say what you will about Weir (and I was one who would often cringe when he took the mic and fronted the Dead, changing the energy for the worse), many times he has played maybe the best rhythm guitar ever played in a rock'n'roll band. Including Keef. Certainly the best improvisational rhythm player in a rock format. IMHbutwellinformedO, of course. And in deference to the original poster, beyond a doubt, the Dead were the luckiest band in the history of rock'n'roll.

"I guess I'm just part of that group of people that think Weir, and especially Mickey Hart are at best, "average" musicians."

I was going to defend Mickey Hart but it looks like BillyBlastoff covered most of what I was going to say. I will add one thing though.

Whatever you think of Mickey's work with the Dead, the likes of Babatunde Olatunji, Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hidalgo and Airto Moreira didn't play with him because he was a hack. In the world of percussion, he was and is highly respected by the very best in the world.

I don't think you can say that about Bob Weir and other guitarists though, so feel free to bash Bobby all you want 😉

As a guitar player, I can attest that Bobby is one of the finest rhythm guitarists you will ever find. His playing was almost always spot on to support the leads and his choice of chord inversions is second to none. I've tried to play many of the Dead's songs as a rhythm player and I've come to appreciate his talent more and more each day. May not be your cup of tea (isn't mine) but if you play guitar, you have to appreciate the talent. Just sayin...

I'm not a guitar player and not a fan of latter day (mid to late 80s on, Ratdog, etx) Weir, but agree wholeheartedly with the above post.
For some reason, Bobby is up higher in the mix fall 72 - you can really hear his creativity.

also, nothing against Mickey, but I'm a huge fan of the 1 drummer years.

He played great grooves behind Jerry. His singing is horribly off key and awful.

Looking forward to the film, it should be a good one.

If you don't like the way Mickey and Bill play together, or if you prefer the Dead with a single drummer, I can respect that.

But if Mickey Hart had never been in the Dead at all, he would still have an impressive musical legacy, and he would still be an excellent musician.

Weir was a good singer/harmony singer during the good years of the Dead,an excellent and certainly unique songwriter(with Barlow) and a very interesting rhythm player through the years.Imperfect...yes,but a major part of Dead history,and of the band,musically.

Did you just say that someone in the Dead was a good singer? Now that is some funny sh*t.

Weir was a good singer/harmony singer during the good years of the Dead,an excellent and certainly unique songwriter(with Barlow) and a very interesting rhythm player through the years.Imperfect...yes,but a major part of Dead history,and of the band,musically.

Did you just say that someone in the Dead was a good singer? Now that is some funny sh*t.

And Jack White is a great guitar player 😉

Taste and opinion are strange things,aren't they? 😮

Jerry was not a great singer. He had a unique voice, combined with magical Hunter lyrics, and incredible guitar, he had a great musical presence. But on his voice alone he would not have had a career. Bob Weir in the 69-73 ish era sang pretty well mostly. Jack Straw, Playin' In The Band, all showcase how well he did. After that era, my preference drifted away from him and The Dead. I would think many slammin' him now never saw them in 72.......

Bob Weir in the 69-73 ish era sang pretty well mostly. Jack Straw, Playin' In The Band, all showcase how well he did. After that era, my preference drifted away from him and The Dead. I would think many slammin' him now never saw them in 72.......

Exactly...74 -77 Weir still was fine,but you are right 69-73 was his peak vocally.

His rhythm playing,as I said before,was interesting and unique.His solo efforts,particularly after Jerry passed,were never something I enjoyed...although his earlier solo efforts,like Ace,had some good bands.Since Jerry I prefer Phil and his friends.Weir playing on letterman with John Mayer was scary.

"The Faster We Go, The Rounder We Get".

Weir was a good singer/harmony singer during the good years of the Dead,an excellent and certainly unique songwriter(with Barlow) and a very interesting rhythm player through the years.Imperfect...yes,but a major part of Dead history,and of the band,musically.

Did you just say that someone in the Dead was a good singer? Now that is some funny sh*t.

Bob is at least as good as Robert , Mick and Ozzie IMHO !

Finally got around to actually watching this movie/documentary yesterday.

I don't think there was anything "new" revealed to long time fans, but an interesting account of Bob's life so far.

A touching story of him searching for and finding his real parents, his love for Neal Cassady and of course Jerry.

There were brief comments from other band members, but not many - a curious thing to me.

Sammy Hagar for some reason had a lot to say about Bobby.

I recommend it if you are mildly interested, if you are on the fence about Weir and his place in this band, you could probably skip it.