John Mayer has clarified that he is not permanently leaving Dead and Company, after comments about “going back to [his] corner” prompted fans to think the group had ended following Bob Weir’s death in January. He said he is focusing on grief and healing rather than planning future performances, stressing that he is not ruling out another appearance with the band.

Dead and Company was the most commercially successful post-Grateful Dead incarnation, returning the music to stadiums and attracting younger audiences. Mayer said there is no specific plan for the group’s future; any new version would need to address the absence of Weir, alongside surviving collaborators including Mickey Hart, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge.