11
Inside Andy Cohen’s Obsession with the Grateful Dead
How a Reality TV Mogul Found His Way Back to the Grateful Dead: Andy Cohen’s "Weir Everywhere" Story
Quick Context: This article is part of NPR Music’s special series during the "Days Between" (August 1–9)—the annual period marking the birthdays of Jerry Garcia (Aug 1) and his passing (Aug 9). The series explores why the Grateful Dead still matter decades after their last show.
What Is a "Deadhead" Anyway?
Before we dive in, let’s define the lingo:
- Deadhead = A devoted fan of the Grateful Dead
- "On the bus" = Fully immersed in the Dead community (from Ken Kesey’s Merry Pranksters bus "Further")
- "Weir Everywhere" = A playful phrase meaning Deadheads (like guitarist Bob Weir) pop up in every walk of life—lawyers, teachers, CEOs, and yes, reality TV stars
- Dead & Company = The current touring band featuring surviving Dead members (Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann) plus John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, and Jeff Chimenti
Meet Andy Cohen: TV Mogul by Day, Deadhead by Night
You probably know Andy Cohen from:
- Hosting Watch What Happens Live on Bravo
- Executive producing the Real Housewives franchise
- Writing best-selling memoirs
- Co-hosting CNN’s New Year’s Eve special with Anderson Cooper
But beneath the glitz? A lifelong Grateful Dead superfan.
The Journey: From High School to "The Bus"
1. The Beginning (1985)
- Andy and his friend group got hooked—first on Pink Floyd, then the Grateful Dead
- As he says: "Once you’re on the bus, you don’t get off—and we were firmly on the bus."
2. First Show: Summer of ’86
| Detail | Memory |
|---|---|
| Venue | Alpine Valley, Wisconsin |
| Ride | 1972 Buick Skylark convertible |
| Drive | From St. Louis (his hometown) |
| Sleeping | In the parking lot—in the car! |
| Vibe | "The greatest 48 hours of my life" |
Fun Fact: That same summer, he also caught a show at Red Rocks—two iconic Dead venues in one season.
3. The Hiatus (Early ’90s–2015)
- Got a job, moved to New York, life got "complicated"
- Stopped going to shows but never stopped listening
- Kept his cassette tape collection spinning
- Still hit Dead cover bands whenever possible
The Reawakening: Fare Thee Well & Dead & Company
4. 2015: Fare Thee Well (The "Final" Shows)
- Invited by John Mayer (already a friend)
- Mayer was "flirting with joining an iteration of the band"
- This lit the fuse for what came next
5. First Dead & Company Show: Levi’s Stadium
Andy’s Words:
"They started playing and I felt like I was 18 again. I was dancing, my body was moving in a way that I had not physically moved in so many years. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I felt reawakened. I felt reborn. I just felt like I was in touch with a version of myself that had somehow gone dormant."
6. The Next Decade: "Brigadoon" Returns
Andy compares the Dead & Company era to the musical Brigadoon—a magical village that appears once every 100 years:
- Everybody showed up (grayer, with kids in tow)
- Politics didn’t matter—same music, same feeling
- Stadium tours for 10 years = a gift to Deadheads everywhere
The "Bougie" Perks (But the Music Still Rules)
Because of his friendship with John Mayer, Andy got:
- Backstage access
- Friendships with Bob & Natascha Weir, Mickey & Caryl Hart
- A "Real Housewives of the Grateful Dead" gossip circle with the wives during set breaks
- Serving as John’s "wingman" for ~50 shows
- Surprise birthday performance by John & Bob at his 50th!
Andy’s Take:
"I became bougie and famous late in the run… but I felt like a stinky hippie for hours while they were playing. And that was the only thing that mattered. By the way, I would take the experience back in a second and sit in the nosebleeds and not know anybody in the band just to experience the music."
A Full-Circle Moment: The Friend Who Came Back
One of Andy’s most touching stories involves a high school friend (now his son’s godmother):
| Then (Red Rocks, ’86) | Now (Citi Field, Final Show) |
|---|---|
| Took a "heroic dose" of mushrooms | Hadn’t been to a Dead show in decades |
| Bad trip → separated from friends | Andy invited her: "This is the last stop on the bus" |
| Never returned to another show | Drove backstage, changed into a Dead tee, walked in |
Andy Recalls:
"I saw her physically transform into my friend from high school again… She turned to me and goes, ‘I feel like I never left.’ It was so magnificent."
Why It Never Left: A "Building Block" of Identity
NPR’s Felix Contreras noted Andy is the perfect example of "Weir Everywhere." Andy agrees:
Andy:
"It never went away. It was a formative experience for me in my life, and it was one of the building blocks of who I am in a significant way. It could never leave."
What’s Next? Keeping the Music Alive
With Dead & Company on pause and the original principals gone, Andy’s plan is simple:
- Hope John Mayer launches a new project to see live
- Dive into 60+ years of live recordings (the "archive" is endless)
- Hit up cover bands—"I don’t care if it’s a bunch of teenagers playing the music… As long as the music’s playing, I’ll seek it out with whoever will come with me."
Key Takeaways (Callout Box)
The Deadhead Spirit, in a Nutshell
- Music > Status: Fame doesn’t change the feeling in the crowd
- Community Is Timeless: Decades later, the "bus" still picks you up
- You Don’t Need the Original Lineup: The songs carry the magic
- "Weir Everywhere" Is Real: Deadheads are your neighbors, bosses, favorite TV hosts
- It’s Never Too Late to Return: One show can bring it all back
Summary
Andy Cohen’s story is a masterclass in what the Grateful Dead mean to people:
- A high school obsession that became a lifelong compass
- A pause that lasted decades—but the music never stopped
- A reawakening that felt like meeting your younger self
- A community that welcomes you back no matter where life took you
- A legacy that lives on through recordings, cover bands, and shared moments
Whether you’re a reality TV star or a kid in a dorm room, the bus has a seat for you.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What are the "Days Between"?
A: The nine days between Jerry Garcia’s birthday (Aug 1) and the anniversary of his death (Aug 9). Fans celebrate by listening, sharing stories, and seeing tribute shows.
Q: Who is Bob Weir?
A: The Grateful Dead’s rhythm guitarist and vocalist. He’s the only founding member still touring regularly (with Dead & Company and his own band, Wolf Bros).
Q: What was "Fare Thee Well"?
A: A series of 50th-anniversary "farewell" concerts in 2015 featuring the four surviving core members (Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann, Hart) plus guests like Trey Anastasio and Bruce Hornsby. It was billed as the "final" shows—but Dead & Company formed months later.
Q: Does Andy Cohen still go to shows?
A: Yes! He attends Dead cover bands, hopes for new John Mayer projects, and says he’ll "seek out the music with whoever will come with me."
Q: Why do people say "Weir Everywhere"?
A: It’s a pun on Bob Weir’s last name + the fact that Deadheads exist in every profession and demographic—from truck drivers to TV executives. The community is unexpectedly vast and diverse.
Originally reported by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento & Felix Contreras for NPR Music. Part of the "Dead After Death" series.
