The primary songwriter and guitarist for The Band has passed away.
Robbie Robertson, who is widely regarded in the rock world as one of the greatest songwriters of our time, died on Wednesday, reported the Washington Post.
He was 80 years old.
A True Legend
The death was confirmed by Robertson’s management company, which stated, “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.
“In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support the building of their new cultural center,” reported Rolling Stone.
Robertson led The Band and the rock movement at the height of the psychedelic revolution, impacting other artists in real-time, such as The Beatles and Eric Clapton, who left Cream because of The Band.
The group only lasted eight years, which was also the product of Robertson, who called it quits as band members were going in 20 different directions.
Their final concert was dubbed “The Last Waltz,” and it was an epic performance. The concert had just about every headliner of the time perform with the band, including Eric Clapton…
Van Morrison…
And an earth-stopping performance by Muddy Waters…
It was also made into a movie directed by Martin Scorsese.
Robertson worked with Dylan early in his career, convincing Dylan to hire his band members to play with him.
In the mid-1960s, Dylan had to halt his tour due to a motorcycle accident, Dylan resumed his tour, and The Band started playing gigs on their own.
As far as how the name came about, Robertson explained, “There aren’t many bands around Woodstock and our friends and neighbors just call us the Band, and that’s the way we think of ourselves.
“We just don’t think a name means anything. It’s gotten out of hand, the name thing. We don’t want to get into a fixed bag like that.”
The Band was known for some of the most amazing songs of the time, but “Up on Cripple Creek” is surely one that everyone knows…
Rest in peace, Robbie, for you were truly one of the greats.
