Ten Key Songs by Robbie Robertson, Gone at Age 80
One of the great writers and guitarists and in my life since 1965.
Shocking news this afternoon brought the passing of Robbie Robertson at the age of eighty. They say long illness, but who knew? All I’d heard was he had worked with friend Marty Scorcese again on much anticipated upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon.
Great songwriter. Great guitarist. Long ago embraced his Native American heritage and did much good with that.
We go back to 1965—and my first rock concert ever, in Buffalo, backing Dylan. Four years later my first Band concert, also in Buffalo, maybe still one of three greatest shows for me ever. Then other Band concerts. Music from Big Pink: one of the five most influential rock albums ever. Second album? Maybe greater. Everyone wanted to officially join The Band: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, others. Backing Bob again in the ‘74 arena tour. Even his guest shot with Rolling Thunder at Madison Square Garden. His movie debut as an actor in Carny? Check. Interviews in numerous film docs on The Band? Of course. Feud with Levon? Let’s skip that. Too complicated.
When we nailed an exclusive Robbie interview at Crawdaddy in 1975, I got to chat with Ronnie Hawkins who…invited me to Thanksgiving dinner up north.
But let the music speak for itself. All songs by him below, except for Bob’s.
No music clip found yet, but Robbie getting his start with Ronnie Hawkins’s Hawks, about age 16.
Backing Bob in 1966 on “Rolling Stone.”
Carrying “The Weight” at Woodstock (not in the movie and unseen for years).
Wild guitar stylings on long-unreleased “Basement Tapes” song, ‘Under Control”
Recording the great “King Harvest” in California, 1969. Only Garth is left.
Rehearsing “Up on Cripple Creek”
Backing Bob again at iasale of Wight on his “Highway 61 Revisited.”
“It Makes No Difference” at The Last Waltz
Also at the Waltz, “The Shape I’m In”
A song that meant a lot to Robbie, as he revealed to us at Crawdaddy, “Acadian Driftwood,” and here again from the Last Waltz concert but not in the film….with Joni and Neil Young, fellow Canadians, on harmony.
As solo, 1987, “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”
My photo, on visit to Big Pink:
What a stunner! I certainly agree with you, Greg. The depth of his work is yet to be mined, because it didn't stop with The Band. His last waltz went on and on, as long as Robbie Robertson could stretch out. Not only did he have a solo career but he wrote for television and Hollywood long after his own performances ended. I don't think Robbie Robertson ever got the credit he was due from the public, but other musicians filled in the appreciation gap. RIP, Robbie.
I've been listening to Robbie's songs with love and enjoyment since 1967. There are millennials and younger generations who are still discovering The Band and their glorious music. I've been nurturing some of them on YouTube as they learn to appreciate the great ensemble music of Robbie, Levon, Rick, Richard, and Garth.