Robbie Robertson positions for a picture circa November, 1994 at The National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Bob Berg/Getty Images
Following information of the death of music legend Robbie Robertson on Wednesday (Aug. 9) at age 80, homages from his well-known good friends and also admirers gathered.
The family members of The Band founder (birthed Jaime Royal “Robbie” Robertson) launched a declaration Wednesday using X (formerly Twitter) claiming that Robertson had actually simply covered work with Martin Scorsese’s yet-released Killers of the Flower Moon flick — their 14th movie songs partnership. Scorsese sent out a declaration to Billboard bearing in mind Robertson as “one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work” and also “a giant.” Robertson worked with Scorsese’s Wolf of Wall Street, Gangs of New York, Casino and also much more after The Band’s epic 1976 goodbye performance was profiled in the supervisor’s 1978 docudrama The Last Waltz. Robertson additionally took place to an effective solo occupation, beginning with his self-titled launching cd in 1987.
Read Scorsese’s complete declaration listed below, together with homages from Jason Isbell, other Canadian artist Bryan Adams, Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), Neil Diamond, Steven Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band) and also much more.
Martin Scorsese: “Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work. I could always go to him as a confidante. A collaborator. An advisor. I tried to be the same for him. Long before we ever met, his music played a central role in my life—me and millions and millions of other people all over this world. The Band’s music, and Robbie’s own later solo music, seemed to come from the deepest place at the heart of this continent, its traditions and tragedies and joys. It goes without saying that he was a giant, that his effect on the art form was profound and lasting. There’s never enough time with anyone you love. And I loved Robbie.”
My heart breaks for the family members of @r0bbier0berts0n, and also I believe it’s risk-free to claim that without his impact the songs we enjoy and also the songs we make would certainly be really various from what it is.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) August 9, 2023
Bryan Adams using X: “RIP Robbie Robertson. Thanks for the amazing music and the great hangs, especially photographing you in LA not so long ago. We’ll keep Anna Lee company for you…”
The songs globe shed an excellent one with the passing away of Robbie Robertson. Keep making that Beautiful Noise overhead, Robbie. I’ll miss you.
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) August 9, 2023
Stephen Stills using X: “Always kind and generous. Rest in peace, Robbie Robertson.”
Ronnie Wood using X: “Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R”
SPLIT Robbie Robertson. A buddy and also a brilliant. The Band’s songs stunned the excess out of the Renaissance and also were an important part of the last back-to-the-roots fad of ‘60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitar player adding greatly to Bob Dylan’s ideal trip & ideal cd.
— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) August 9, 2023
Ron Sexsmith using X: “RIP Robbie Robertson. Unspeakably sad news. His songwriting and guitar playing made such a lasting impact on music and in fact changed the direction of music in the late 60’s from psychedelic to a more roots based approach. Huge Loss RS”
David Geffen: “Robbie was a great guitarist, a great songwriter, and a great friend. I was in awe of his talent from the first moment I heard him play. His musical genius reshaped the rock and roll scene and the sound of the 1970’s and well beyond. His innovation and impact will continue to be felt and heard in music and cinema long after his passing. Robbie’s death is a tremendous loss, especially to his family whom he dearly loved, the music world, and really to everyone who ever knew him. Like so many people around the world, I will grieve today, and I will miss him tomorrow and each day thereafter.”
(1/4) In Memoriam: The engineer and also key songwriter of The Band, 1994 Inductee Robbie Robertson altered the program of music in the late 1960s. Though birthed and also elevated in Canada, Robertson discovered verse in America’s background and also folklore, and also with a combination of pic.twitter.com/c0XSCqRz0y
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) August 9, 2023
Dr. John using X: “RIP to the great Robbie Robertson, pictured with Dr. John and Bobby Charles in The Band’s immortal film The Last Waltz.”
The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has actually shed a symbol, and also songs has actually shed a poet and also a scholar.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) August 9, 2023
So sorry to find out about Robbie Robertson’s passing away. His songs really felt classic when he composed it and also stays classic. Thoughts and also love to his family members.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 9, 2023
Michael Des Barres using X: “[An] intellectualized rock ‘n’ roll artist who created THE Band. Robbie Robertson is so important in the history of rock ‘n’ roll music, bringing americana and country music together. He backed Bob Dylan when Bob went electric. He will be remembered. RIP”
