Guitarist Robbie Robertson, of The Band, Dies at 80

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Robbie Robertson, the guitarist-songwriter-singer who led the Band, has passed away at the age of 80. Robertson died in Los Angeles after a long illness. He is best known for his work with the Band and his collaborations with Bob Dylan and Martin Scorsese. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Throughout his career, Robertson wrote classic songs such as “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Chris Morris reported

Robbie Robertson, a renowned guitarist-songwriter-singer, has passed away at the age of 80. Robertson was the leader of the Band, a Canadian-American group that rose to fame in the 1970s and worked closely with Bob Dylan and Martin Scorsese. He died in Los Angeles after a long illness, surrounded by his family. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with Scorsese, titled “Killers of the Flower Moon.” In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Six Nations of the Grand River. Robertson is best known for the classic songs he wrote for the Band, such as “The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek.” He had a close working relationship with Scorsese, collaborating on numerous films throughout the years. Robertson began his career as a member of Ronnie Hawkins’ backup band before forming the Band with Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson. They gained fame with their albums “Music From Big Pink” and “The Band,” which drew inspiration from various American music genres. Despite their success, the Band faced creative struggles due to substance abuse issues, leading to their disbandment in 1976. Robertson went on to have a solo career and continued his collaboration with Scorsese. He was inducted into the Canadian Juno Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, receiving numerous awards throughout his career. Born in Toronto to a Mohawk Indian mother and a Jewish father, Robertson developed an interest in music at a young age and began playing guitar in high school bands. He joined Hawkins’ band as a bassist but quickly transitioned to the role of lead guitarist. Robertson’s involvement with Dylan’s band and his contributions to the “basement tapes” solidified his position as a respected musician. Despite the challenges they faced, Robertson’s impact on the music industry and his enduring friendship with Scorsese will be remembered..