Rob Wasserman, a Grammy-winning bassist and composer best known for his long collaboration with Grateful Dead member Bob Weir, has died on Wednesday, CBSSFBayArea reported. He was 64.
Weir had posted that Wasserman was in ill health earlier Wednesday, saying on Twitter, “My great friend Rob Wasserman is facing a serious health struggle today. Please share the strength of our family with him and his family.”
Two hours later, the rocker tweeted that his “beautiful” friend had passed away. “May Rob’s warmth and music live in your hearts as it always has in mine,” Weir wrote.
During the late 1980s, the duo toured for seven years under names such as Weir/Wasserman and Scaring the Children.
Wasserman, who was from northern California, had been hospitalized as he battled cancer, but the official cause of death has not yet been announced.
Wasserman started out as a violinist, then switched over to the bass and studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He went on to play with the likes of Van Morrison, Oingo Boingo as well as the quartet formed by mandolin player David Grisman.
Among his accolades was winning the Downbeat Magazine’s Record of the Year award for his 1983 debut recording “Solo.” He also toured with Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed, Neil Young and Elvis Costello.
Wasserman co-founded the rock band RatDog with Weir in the mid-’90s after the Grateful Dead split up in 1995 following the death of Jerry Garcia.
The bassist took an extended leave from the band in 2002, but would reunite with the group in 2013, according to CBS.
Wasserman leaves behind his wife, Veronica, daughter Sara, sister Cindy and brother Bruce.
See Weir’s tweets below.
My great friend @Rob_Wasserman is facing a serious health struggle today. Please share the strength of our family with him and his family
— Bobby Weir (@BobWeir) June 29, 2016
One of the world's most beautiful friends and artists has left us. May Rob's warmth and music live in your hearts as it always has in mine.
— Bobby Weir (@BobWeir) June 29, 2016