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Key Points
- Robbie Robertson, the guitarist and main songwriter in The Band has died at the age of 80.
- The Canadian-American group was known for songs including ‘The Weight’ and ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.’
- Rolling Stone magazine ranked Robertson No. 59 on its 2015 list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.
Robbie Robertson, the guitarist and main songwriter in The Band, the Canadian-American group known for songs including “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” has died at the age of 80.
Robertson, who left his Toronto home at age 16 to pursue his music dreams, died Wednesday in Los Angeles after a long illness, Robertson’s manager of 34 years, Jared Levine, said in a statement.
“Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death,” the statement added.
The Band included four Canadians – Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel – and was anchored by an Arkansas drummer, Levon Helm.
Originally dubbed The Hawks as the backing band for rockabilly wild man Ronnie Hawkins, they gained attention supporting Bob Dylan on his “Going Electric” tours of 1965-1966.
After changing their name to The Band and rebasing in Woodstock, New York, they became one of the most respected groups in rock.
Their 1976 farewell concert in San Francisco was the basis of Martin Scorsese’s 1978 movie “The Last Waltz.”
Robertson became infatuated with the guitar early on and gained a reputation as a guitar hot shot during his time with the Hawks. Rolling Stone magazine eventually ranked him No. 59 on its 2015 list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.
His unique guitar style was displayed to great effect on The Band songs such as “Jawbone” and “Smoke Signal”.
In February 2022, Variety reported, citing sources, that Robertson sold his music publishing catalogue to a firm called Iconoclast for about $US25 million ($38 million).
After all the highs and lows, Robertson looked back at his Band mates with love and affection.
“Through all the turbulence, I am left with such a deep appreciation for my journey,” he wrote in his autobiography.
“This shining path I’ve travelled being part of the Band – there will never be another like it. Such a gift, such talent, such pain, such madness … I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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