Robbie Robertson, the Canadian musician who was the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the influential rock group The Band, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles at the age of 80. He had suffered from a long illness, according to a statement released by his management.
Robertson was a crucial figure in the history of American music, as he collaborated with Bob Dylan in his transition to electric rock in the mid-1960s, and created a distinctive blend of folk, blues, country, and rock with The Band that inspired generations of artists. He also had a successful solo career and a long partnership with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, for whom he composed and produced soundtracks for several acclaimed movies.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Robertson was born Jaime Royal Robertson on July 5, 1943, in Toronto, Canada. He was an only child of James Patrick Robertson, a Jewish professional gambler, and Rosemarie Dolly Chrysler, a Mohawk and Cayuga woman who grew up on the Six Nations Reserve southwest of Toronto. Robbie Robertson learned music from his mother’s relatives, who played traditional songs and instruments on the reserve. He also developed a passion for rock and roll, blues, and country music, and taught himself to play guitar.
At the age of 16, he joined Ronnie Hawkins and his band The Hawks, a rockabilly group that toured extensively in Canada and the United States. He soon became the lead guitarist and co-writer for Hawkins and met his future Band-mates: drummer Levon Helm, bassist Rick Danko, pianist Richard Manuel, and organist Garth Hudson. In 1964, they parted ways with Hawkins and became an independent act, playing as Levon and the Hawks or simply The Hawks.
Working with Bob Dylan
In 1965, Robbie Robertson and his fellow Hawks were hired by Bob Dylan as his backing band for his controversial switch from acoustic folk to electric rock. They faced hostile audiences and critics who accused Dylan of betraying his roots, but they also created some of the most groundbreaking music of the era.
They recorded several albums with Dylan, including Blonde on Blonde (1966), The Basement Tapes (1975), and Planet Waves (1974). They also toured extensively with him in 1965-66, culminating in a legendary concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London (actually recorded at the Manchester Free Trade Hall), where an angry fan shouted “Judas!” at Dylan for playing electric music.
Robertson’s guitar playing was a crucial element of Dylan’s new sound, as he provided inventive riffs, solos, and textures that complemented Dylan’s lyrics and voice. He also developed a close friendship with Dylan, who encouraged him to pursue his songwriting.
The Band
In 1967, Robbie Robertson and his fellow Hawks moved to a pink house near Woodstock, New York, where they started working on their material. They adopted the name The Band, as they had been known as “the band” when they played with Dylan. They recorded their debut album Music from Big Pink (1968) in their basement studio, with songs written mainly by Robertson.
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The album was a critical and commercial success, as it introduced a new style of music that blended rock with elements of folk, blues, country, and gospel. It also featured some of The Band’s most enduring songs, such as “The Weight”, “Chest Fever” and “I Shall Be Released”.
The Band followed up with their self-titled second album in 1969, which is widely regarded as their masterpiece. It featured more songs written by Robertson that explored themes of American history, culture, and mythology. Some of the highlights were “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Up on Cripple Creek”, “The Shape I’m In” and “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)”. The album cemented The Band’s reputation as one of the most influential groups of their time, as they influenced artists such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen.
The Band continued to record and tour throughout the 1970s, releasing several more albums such as Stage Fright (1970), Cahoots (1971), Rock of Ages (1972), Moondog Matinee (1973), and Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975). They also reunited with Dylan for the Planet Waves album and tour in 1974. However, they also faced problems such as drug abuse, creative differences, and financial disputes that strained their relationships. Robertson became the dominant force in the group, as he wrote most of the songs and took charge of the production.
The Last Waltz
In 1976, Robbie Robertson decided to end The Band’s touring career with a farewell concert on Thanksgiving Day at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. He invited Martin Scorsese to film the event, which became known as The Last Waltz.
The concert featured guest appearances by some of The Band’s friends and collaborators, such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, and The Staple Singers. The concert was a musical and cinematic triumph, as it showcased The Band’s legacy and influence. The film was released in 1978, along with a soundtrack album, and is widely considered one of the best concert films ever made.
Solo Career and Film Work
After The Last Waltz, Robbie Robertson pursued a solo career and moved to Los Angeles. He released his self-titled debut album in 1987, which featured collaborations with U2, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois, and Gil Evans. The album was well-received by critics and fans, and spawned the hit single “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”.
He followed up with Storyville (1991), which explored the musical heritage of New Orleans. Robbie Robertson also wrote songs for other artists, such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, and Robbie Williams.
He also continued his partnership with Martin Scorsese, as he composed and produced soundtracks for several of his films. He worked on Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, The Color of Money, Killers of the Flower Moon, etc. Robbie Robertson also worked on soundtracks for other films and television shows, such as Carny, The Crossing Guard, Gangs of New York, Any Given Sunday, and Boardwalk Empire.
Robbie Robertson also wrote an autobiography titled Testimony (2016), which chronicled his life and career up to The Last Waltz. He also released two more solo albums: How to Become Clairvoyant (2011) and Sinematic (2019). Robbie Robertson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Band and received several honors for his contributions to music and film.
Robbie Robertson Death News
Robbie Robertson died on August 9, 2023, in Los Angeles, after a long illness. At the time of his death, this guitarist’s family was around him. His manager Jared Levine said in a statement
Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina.
He did not disclose the cause of death.
Robertson’s death was mourned by many of his friends, fans, and fellow musicians. Bob Dylan said in a statement:
Robbie was a brother to me. We made some great music together and I will always cherish our friendship. He was a brilliant songwriter and guitarist who left an indelible mark on rock history. I will miss him dearly.
Martin Scorsese said in a statement
Robbie was a genius who enriched my life with his music and his friendship. He was a visionary who created some of the most memorable soundtracks for my films. He was a true artist who never stopped exploring new horizons. I will always be grateful for our collaboration and our bond.
Legacy
Robbie Robertson is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He is credited with creating a unique style of music that blended rock with elements of folk, blues, country, and gospel. He also wrote some of the most iconic songs of the rock era, such as “The Weight”, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Up on Cripple Creek” and “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”. He influenced countless artists across genres and generations, from Eric Clapton to Bruce Springsteen to Arcade Fire.
Robbie Robertson is also recognized as a pioneer of film music, as he collaborated with Martin Scorsese on some of the most acclaimed movies of the past four decades. Robbie Robertson composed and produced soundtracks that enhanced the mood and atmosphere of the films, using songs from various genres and eras to create a rich musical tapestry. Robbie Robertson also introduced many classic songs to new audiences through his film work.
Robbie Robertson is remembered as a musical legend who left behind a rich legacy of songs, albums, films, and books that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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