"John Mayer and Bob Weir might join forces again for new tunes": Dead & Company's Sphere residency nears its end, pondering melodious collaboration.
Fresh Take:
Dead & Company's jaunt at the swanky Las Vegas Sphere might be nearing its end, but Bob Weir and John Mayer have sparked excitement with hints of potential fresh tunes from the dynamic duo.
This powerhouse group was birthed in 2015, with Grateful Dead stalwart Weir recruiting Mayer's electric guitar virtuosity for an epic Grateful Dead homage project. Originally slated to play their last gig in 2023, they made a U-turn when the chance to rock the state-of-the-art dome in Vegas presented itself. Their final Vegas show is set for May 17, but in a chat with our site earlier this year, Weir kept the studio door ajar, implying collaborative efforts could be on the horizon.
"You bet your sweet bippy I'd still love to do it," Weir stated. "We've got our top-tier players on board."
Unlike Weir, Mayer, who suffered some broken digits towards the end of their first residency, is more tactful. "It hasn't been discussed in a while," Mayer confesses. "But if Bobby and Mickey [Hart, drums, the band's other original GD member] want to do it, I'm on board."
Weir harbors aspirations for the band that could see them command the stage countless more times.
"I wouldn't mind taking it on a global tour," he proclaims. "This music we're playing is distinctly American, and I'd love to share it with people around the world."
Mayer hasn't penciled in any goals for potential continuation, but he's open to the idea. He just wants to jam.
"Right now, someone, somewhere is brewing an idea so avant-garde, I couldn't conceive of it," Mayer replies. "Our focus has always been forward-thinking. The music is so versatile, it'd be at the forefront of any technology. So, the Sphere made sense. And whoever dreams up the next groundbreaking concept and wants us to be a part of it? I'd be all ears."
Their chat with Guitar World also tackled what they've learned from each other, resulting in some intriguing insights.
Dead & Company's Vegas residencies have been chock-full of memorable moments, such as Mayer playing Jeff Beck's Custom Strat and his innovative method to crank up his amps without irking the venue's stern managers. During a recent Vegas break, Weir surprised fans with a spontaneous appearance with the Best of All Worlds band, playing a Montrose classic on Sammy Hagar's Gibson Explorer.
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- Dead & Company, with Bob Weir playing a Gibson guitar and John Mayer on an electric guitar, have been making headlines with their recent residencies in Las Vegas, contributing to pop-culture and entertainment.
- During their residencies, the band has showcased various guitars, including Mayer’s playing of Jeff Beck’s Custom Strat and Weir’s unexpected performance with the Best of All Worlds band on Sammy Hagar’s Gibson Explorer.
- Fans of Dead & Company eagerly await potential fresh tunes from this powerhouse group, as Weir and Mayer have hinted at studio collaborations.
- Celebrities like Weir and Mayer have always been known for being forward-thinking, focusing on pushing the boundaries of music and incorporating new technology, such as their recent performance at the state-of-the-art Las Vegas Sphere.
- Dead & Company's music, originally created by the Grateful Dead, is uniquely American, and as Weir mentioned, he’d love to share this distinct sound with people around the world on a potential global tour.
