John Mayer Leads Dead & Company 60th Anniversary Concerts San Francisco

Dead & Company commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead with a series of concerts in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, where John Mayer expressed deep honor and gratitude for being part of the celebration. Mayer, who has performed with founding members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann since 2015, thanked fans and fellow musicians, including Graheme Lesh, son of the late bassist Phil Lesh, who performed with the band throughout the weekend. Mayer also highlighted the special collaboration with Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio during the shows, praising their musical connection. Reflecting on the legacy of Jerry Garcia, Mayer humbly acknowledged he could never match Garcia's playing but hoped to bring audiences closer to Garcia's spirit. The events followed recent honors for the Grateful Dead, including recognition at the Kennedy Center and as MusiCares’ Persons of the Year. Overall, Mayer described his role in Dead & Company as a great honor and expressed gratitude for being accepted into the band's enduring musical world.