“Robbie Robertson, Guitarist and Songwriter of The Band, Dies at 80”

Robbie Robertson, the guitarist and songwriter of The Band, has passed away at the age of 80. He died in Los Angeles after a long illness. Robertson was known for writing or co-writing the band’s iconic songs such as “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” He was also recognized as one of the greatest guitarists and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Robertson’s contributions to music and his Indigenous heritage were widely celebrated throughout his career. CBC reported

Robbie Robertson, the renowned guitarist and songwriter for The Band, has passed away at the age of 80. His death was confirmed by a representative, who stated that he died in Los Angeles after a long illness. Robertson was surrounded by his family, including his wife, ex-wife, and children, at the time of his death.

Robertson was credited with writing or co-writing many of The Band’s iconic songs, including “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” The Band’s first two albums were highly acclaimed and ranked in the top 100 of Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest albums of all time. Robertson himself was recognized as one of the greatest guitarists, ranking at No. 59 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

In addition to his work with The Band, Robertson had a successful solo career, winning multiple Juno Awards and being inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame. He was also one of the first Indigenous rock stars, although he was often overlooked by the predominantly white music press. In 2017, he received a lifetime achievement award at the Native American Music Awards.

Born in Toronto to a mother of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, Robertson was deeply influenced by the music played by his Indigenous relatives. He began his career opening for Ronnie Hawkins and eventually formed The Band with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. The Band’s music was a fusion of blues, country, and rhythm and blues, and they were recognized as pioneers of the Americana genre.

Despite their success, The Band faced struggles with substance abuse, and Robertson eventually grew tired of touring. The original lineup performed their final concert in 1976, which was captured in the iconic documentary film “The Last Waltz.” Robertson later worked closely with director Martin Scorsese, acting as a music supervisor on several of his films.

In 1987, Robertson released his first solo album, which included the emotional tribute to Richard Manuel, “Fallen Angel.” The album won the Juno Award for Album of the Year, and Robertson also received awards for top male vocalist and top producer.

Throughout his career, Robertson made significant contributions to the music industry and left a lasting impact on the art form. He will be remembered as a talented musician and songwriter who drew inspiration from his Indigenous heritage and created timeless music..