Bob Weir has commented on the passing of his lifelong friend John Perry Barlow. The Grateful Dead co-founder met Barlow in high school and spent time on his family’s ranch, which informed his love of country-western music. Since 1971, Barlow has served as Weir’s primary lyricist.

In a social media post Weir said, “This life is fleeting, as we all know – the Muse we serve is not. John had a way of taking life’s most difficult things and framing them as challenges, therefore adventures – by their nature awakening and maybe even fun. He was to be admired for that, even emulated. He’ll live on in the songs we wrote…John Perry Barlow 1947-2018.”

Weir will likely continue to honor his close friend when he returns to the road with Dead & Company next week. The group will kick off their destination event in Riviera Maya, Mexico on February 15.