Overview
- His death on January 10, 2026, was announced on his official site and Instagram, confirming he was 78.
- The family said he beat a cancer diagnosis from July 2025 yet died due to underlying pulmonary issues, beginning treatment weeks before returning to the stage.
- He performed at the band's 60th‑anniversary shows in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, reflecting his late‑career resilience.
- A defining force in the group's sound, he wrote or co‑wrote staples including Sugar Magnolia, Truckin’, Cassidy and Throwing Stones.
- With his passing, Bill Kreutzmann is the only surviving original member, following Phil Lesh’s death in 2024.