RIP Robbie Robertson

[GaryH]

This one hurts. We keep losing the greats from the classic rock era. Robbie was unique in his musical approach. Coming to America during the psychedelic and protest 60's( As the New York Times put it so well) -" he offered a rustic vision of his adopted country that helped inspire the genre that came to be known as Americana."

"The songs that Mr. Robertson, a Canadian, wrote for the Band used enigmatic lyrics to evoke a hard and colorful America of yore, an especially amazing feat coming from someone not born in the United States. With uncommon conviction, they conjured a wild place, often centered in the South, peopled by rough-hewed characters, from the defeated Confederate soldier in "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" to the tough union worker of "King Harvest Has Surely Come" to the shady creatures in "Life is a Carnival".

Not only was the music he made with The Band sublime, but working as Dylan's "back-up" band in the late 60's to early 70's helped to kick start Dylan into his resurgence after a 2 year layoff. Robbie also worked with Scorsese on movie soundtracks. Of course, the brilliant "The Last Waltz" is I think the best music documentary. "Its not like it used to be" - But Robbie's music lives on.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I loved Robbie Robertson! Not only his guitar playing & songwriting but also enjoyed his storytelling. I still watch “The Last Waltz” once in a while. It’s The Band’s last concert which they made into a movie directed by Martin Scorsese. Robbie had such a great stage presence & it was obvious when watching this great movie which also has performances by the likes of Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emylou Harris & other greats.

Just this past weekend i watched that great video rendition of “The Weight” that he made with Lukas Nelson & other international artists located around the world. I’ve watched it dozens of times on YouTube & the sound & rendition is nothing short of spectacular! He will be missed. One thing i read was that his entire family including his current wife, his ex-wife Dominique & their children were by his side when he passed. If I remember correctly Dominique was from Montreal.

For those who haven’t seen it yet there is a great documentary on The Band which was made just a few years ago & still being shown on tv. It’s called Once We Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson & The Band. I’ve already watched it twice & now that Robbie is passed i’ll likely watch it again. Are there still any original members of the band left? Levon Helms, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel & Garth Hudson have all passed away. And now Robbie Robertson.

One thing to note: when Eric Clapton got inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame he requested that his ol’ friend Robbie Robertson be the one on stage to officially induct him into the hall. Now that’s one of the greatest honors a musician can have other than getting into the hall himself. To induct a guitar god like Eric Clapton! And on top of that he’s the one that requested it! Rest in peace, Robbie!