Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. He is an environmental activist, and with his sister Wendy Weir co-wrote their first environmental children's book and audio cassette tape Panther Dream: A Story of the African Rainforest (1991).
In October 1992, Wendy and Bob Weir visited Australia to research their second children's book, Baru Bay. They dove the Great Barrier Reef and stayed with Mandawuy Yunupingu, of the Aboriginal rock band Yothu Yindi, in the Gumatj community outside of Nhulunbuy. Upon their return to San Francisco, Wendy and Bob raised funds for the building of a cultural center for the Gumatj community. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Baru Bay were contributed to Coral Forest, an organisation dedicated to the preservation of coral reef ecosystems and the protection of indigenous coastal cultures, and also to the Yothu Yindi Foundation.
