Upright bassist Rob Wasserman, who co-founded RatDog with Bob Weir passed away today, and we’re still waiting on cause of death. Weir posted the below message today via facebook…
“I’m devastated to pass along that Rob Wasserman lost his struggle today, and we have lost a beautiful friend and artist. I can still hear the sound of his bow playing those strings unamplified and pure. It’s one of the most glorious sounds I’ve ever heard, and the music and warmth he gave us will live on in the hearts of everyone he touched.”
Warren Haynes also paid tribute prior to his Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration in Charleston, WV.
“Too many heavy losses at one time-makes it hard to find the right words. Rob was an innovative musician who always brought a peaceful vibe to wherever he was. Was always a joy whenever we played together. I want to dedicate tonight’s performance of Birdsong (with the symphony) to Rob as it was the first song I ever played with he and Bob Weir-just a few days before 9-11. ‘Laugh in the sunshine, sing, cry in the dark-fly through the night.’”
Wasserman brought a unique upright approach to bass playing that won admirers from legions of his contemporaries that included:  Elvis Costello, Ani di Franco, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Rickie Lee Jones,  Van Morrison, Aaron Neville, Lou Reed,Pete Seeger and Brian Wilson. He is best known for his own work on the trilogy of albums, Solo, Duets, and Trios.Â
RatDog began as a side project for Weir and Wasserman. but after the Grateful Dead disbanded,RatDog became Bob Weir’s primary band with Wasserman playing bass until 2002 when Robin Sylvester took over. Waserman rejoined the band again in 2012 but has not played any shows of late with Weir focusing his energy on last summer’s Fare Thee Well performances and his current Dead & Company tour.
Watch Weir and Wasserman perform “Victim or the Crime” live in 1989..
