I was talking to my buddy, Ben about a month ago and he mentioned that we're losing all of our heroes. That started a conversation. Who are the big ones that we still have with us, that might not be so obvious? We kicked some names around and I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't even think of Robbie Robertson. We take a lot of great artists for granted while they're here. Ramblin Jack Elliot is on the top of my list of not so obvious artists that we take for granted. When he passes away, it's gonna be a huge news story, but right now, a local paper might not even write about an upcoming show. Who else do we take for granted right now, but we'll make a big deal about when they pass away?
People forget that of the members a good number of the second iteration of Kinks are still alive today and almost made an album in 2023, but the Davies brothers one of them was not willing to work with the other. They still have the second and third bassist alive as well as first and second drummer so they could play as the second maybe third iteration As I think most of those members could still play with all three of the Keyboard/Piano players dead from that era and a later Keyboard player recruited in 1989 is still living. Another is that both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are still alive. People always assume Art died in the 2000 or early 2010's.
Robbie's death has affected me hard. I met him once and he said he knew who I was he said he saw me play lacrosse against the 6 nations when I was 15. He was one of the best. Somewhere Down That Crazy River is his best solo song imo.
My all time musical hero .That's what Robbie Robertson means to me . That intellect , the super sharp street smarts , the exquisite songs and concerts , the originality and uncompromising attitude to his craft and so much more .Boy what a legacy . Deepest sympathies to the immediate Robertson family ...we shall not see his like ever again . RIP Robbie and thankyou for being such a huge influence on my life . From Scotland , prayers and a deep sense of admiration for Mr Robbie Robertson...God Bless .
Had the pleasure meeting and working with Robbie after he left the Hawks and before he joined The Band. At that point in time he kept telling us he would only be in the area for a few weeks because he was working his way up to New York to join a band. We had some good times and good food and music of course. We also had a cold Creek to swim in that he loved. We had no idea of his actual greatness and brilliance we just knew that he was a really nice decent guy and we were all kind of bummed when he left . Of course everyone was extremely happy for him when he became so successful and famous. I was truly sad when I got the news. He was one of the greats and he will always be great. Rest in peace Robbie.
Garth Hudson is the last man standing. What a pool of talent we were able to enjoy. The joy on Robbie’s face during The Last Waltz is beautiful. Probably not only the joy of making that incredible music with all those stellar musicians, but also the relief of being free of that.
We’ve heard Robbie say he wanted to end with a celebration. I always thought he meant a party. But I’ve read a few books written by Natives, and a celebration means something entirely different to me now.
He was an absolute genius. I'm just grateful that he existed. The Band were perfection. It makes me sad to know that there's never going to be any new music that will ever come close to the stuff that they made. RIP Robbie, Levon, Rick and Richard🙏🏼
I always thought Robbie's guitar playing on "It Makes No Difference" fit so well with the emotion of the song and with Rick Danko's incredible vocal performance. He was mimicking Rick's vocal delivery with the way he was bending the strings to squeeze out every bit of emotion to make it sound almost like it was crying. One living artist that I think is taken for granted is Kris Kristofferson. He wrote so many timeless songs. He almost single handedly elevated the literacy level of country music.
Man, you're so right about Kristofferson. When I hear Jamey Johnson's cover of For the Good Times, it brings tears to my eyes. "Hear the whisper of the raindrops blowing soft against the window, and make believe you love me one more time. For the good times." That's some brilliant wordsmithing put to music.
We went in 2008 and it is still pink and it is finally opened up to stay at our tours or something like that. We also went to a Midnight Ramble At Levon’s House aka The Barn
My parents were regulars at Le Coq d'Or Tavern in Toronto when Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks were the house band. I grew up hearing stories about Robbie and The Band. This ones for Robbie, U will be missed.
when I listen to Fallen Angel I cannot believe that a true mortal soul could be capable of creating something so beautiful and meaningful. Words cannot describe his art. The lyrics of The Night They drove Old Dixie also may be some of the most incredible lyrics I have ever read....His loss is heartbreaking to me.
I saw the Band in Tuscaloosa in 1970 when I was in High School , they were phenomenal , best concert I ever went to. I noticed they didn't dance around or stuff like that . Told my dad about it the next day and he said 'Probably because they could play"words to remember.
What feels like deeply American music was written by someone who maybe always viewed it from the edge. I hope native drums with that high pitched call see him off this plane. Goodbye Robbie much love and support to your family and loved ones. I always see that weary smile on the edge of bursting forward with a wry comment that a writer so loves, say it slower . Nobody ever tells you how to get over losing these people that form pieces of our lives.
I've seen The Last Waltz about 100 times. Used to have it on VHS. I also loved when he went back to his roots and collaborated with other Native American artists. Wonderful stuff! Rock In Peace Robbie, thanks for the music!
@@JamesCampbell-up1ju I saw it in the local theater where they had midnight showings, countless times. Had it on VHS way before DVD's, and now watch parts of it frequently on RU-vid. A hundred times was a conservative estimate on my part
Robbie Robertson's first solo album is in my top 3 all-time albums. That being said, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is my favorite work that Robbie was a part of. I never got to see Robbie but was able to catch Levon Helm and Rick Danko on Ringo's first all-star tour. Needless to say, they were outstanding.
In addition to all of the classic Band music, check out Robbie's solo stuff. He could do it all, and he did it with grace and elegance. Big, powerful medicine behind that man. May he rock in power in the Great Sky.
These comments are respectful and caring. I love that about Otis’ crowd. This isn’t the case on other forums. He did so much in his life. He helped change music in a big way. The influence and impact of The Band’s first 2 albums on music is incalculable. They influence me the Beatles, especially their early solo stuff like Ram, Wild Life and even George’s stuff. I hope he and Levon are brothers again
This hit hard when I heard it yesterday. The Band was up there with the Beatles and this was another group where the whole was much much greater than the sum of the individual parts. I was fortunate enough to see them three times and was present in Winterland for The Last Waltz. That was a night I will never forget. Thanks Robbie for your enormous contribution to music and to the world.
The movie was pretty accurate although the live concert went on quite a bit longer (nearly 4 hours if I recall) and not every song played in concert made its way onto the movie. I felt so fortunate to be able to attend. I had a good friend who was living in San Francisco at the time and the second I heard about the ticket sale timing for the event, I called my friend and told him he had to stand in line and get us tickets. It's not like I had to twist his arm or anything and it was a very special evening.@@aliofly
@@aliofly While I enjoyed the film and, I suppose, it is almost important, it was a photo of a beautiful flower at best. When it came out I was quite disappointed. My wife and I were at the show. Like other events of those years, for us, it was the people that attended that were most wonderful. Sure, the stage was jamming with the best artists - we loved them. But the crowd! Absolutely rockin love. So, I was very disappointed that Scorsese blew off any crowd scenes. The pure star fn only goes so far with me. We danced all night in the back of Winterland. I bumped into Jerry Brown, our governor at the time, and had the hubris to go up to Dylan and give him a note. I had done an etching of him that I wanted to give him. Of course, he never got back to me 😎.
I was buying some banjo strings at a guitar shop and the young metal kids working there were working on an old acoustic guitar when I went up to pay and looking at the lyrics taped on the side of that old guitar. They had no idea what it was and I looked at it and said, that's the Weight by the Band...they had no idea what I was talking about and I felt my age once again.
I saw Dylan & The Band on January 3, 1974 at Chicago Stadium - It was the opening concert of Dylan's first tour in 8 years - It was also my 21st birthday - That was back when you had to buy tickets through the mail - I believe the tour sold out, coast to coast, 21 cities I believe, in 2 days - Tons of people couldn't get tickets - I got really lucky - I ordered my tickets from Alaska and figured my chances were slim - But at the time there was a daily non stop flight from Anchorage to Chicago and I got four tickets - Most memorable concert I've ever seen
ROBBIE inspired me as a teenager to save money to buy my 1st Telecaster...Brown Natural finish...Rosewood fingerboard...Everything about Him was and is a Huge influence on me...A Real Bigg Brother.
I was introduced to Robbie by a mutual acquaintance at a special screening of The Last Waltz in L.A. in 2002. He was gracious when I went total fanboy on him. He said that he hoped that I liked his re-mix of the film’s soundtrack. Are you kidding?! I died on the spot and went straight to guitar hero heaven. What a gracious and humble man he was. Two weeks later, our mutual buddy delivered a copy of the Band’s box set, autographed by Robbie, to me. WTF!!! What a man. What a player. I count myself very fortunate to have attended well over a dozen Band concerts, starting with their first appearance at the Fillmore East and was blown away when they backed Dylan on the 1974 tour. They played with such fire! My favorite guitar solo of all time is the outro for To Kingdom Come. Nobody ever played like that in rock history, before or since - ask Eric Clapton.😊 RIP Robbie.
Absolutely. I'm with you. You can see that damn war from a totally different view, with that one song. A senseless war , that should have never been fought . Owning humans is too crazy to imagine. Young men dying for the greed of old, rich men. Some things never change.
My daughter and her husband bought a house in Woodstock. On my first visit we went to Big Pink. I was excited to see a piece of music history - and really happy to see a band unloading their instuments...more music for Big Pink!
Thanks for letting us know. I just watched an interview with him this morning. He was such a gentleman; he had no unkind words to say about anyone. Men like him provided the soundtrack for our lives for decades. May he rest in peace.
The Last Waltz is the best concert movie ever. Robbie’s playing always served the magnificent catalog of The Band, plus he could go toe to toe with Clapton. Only saw the non Robbie / Richard Manuel version in the early 90s. They were great fun at the Beacon Theater ( early 94) I love every song on the first two albums.
Immense contribution to rock music: listen to Robbie's guitar on John Hammond's Coming Home, Dylan's Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat and the Before The Flood version of All Along The Watchtower, and King Harvest by The Band, his wonderful vocals on Out of the Blue on The Last Waltz, his songwriting on the amazing It Makes No Difference featuring Rick Danko's wonderful voice, the solo tracks Somewhere down the crazy river, fallen angel, and broken arrow, and Rod Stewart's wonderful version of Broken Arrow.
I live in China and when my son was only 4-5 years old(we named him Danko)he would spend hours in front of RU-vid with my strat playing air-guitar to the last waltz. So this music ain’t going anywhere, RIP Robbie and thank you so much for the music.
Whispering Pines always hits me. I’m 71 and Robbie’s death really hit me. I was huge Band and Dylan fan. I remember when Big Pink came out. I was hooked but never saw them live. His solo career was also amazing. There are songs on those solo albums that are so good. And incorporating his Native American roots. Amazing… to repeat myself
I am 72 and grew up with The Band and it really hit me hard too because he died on the same day my Dad did, August 9. Today I am listening to my CD by The Band "Anthology Volume 1" I have been listening to '"I Shall Be Released" on repeat over and over again which is my favorite by them.
Saw them at Watkins Glen, but we were so far away from the stage. A week later they played with the Dead at Jersey Stadium. I was upfront for that one. And was there for the Dylan and the Band tour in 1974. Distinctly remember the final song which was “like a Rolling Stone“ - they turned all the house lights on. The juxtaposition of that and the line “you’re invisible now” struck me pretty profoundly.
I love "Acadian Driftwood." I understand it is at least partially accurate in telling the story of the Cajuns. It ties Canada and Louisiana together, and I like how the singers of The Band take turns with different verses (which they do on many songs). The instruments are also authentic on the recording. Great lyrics, great composition, and great performance. The Roches and Shawn Colvin are among those who have covered it nicely. I have botched it several times at open mics.
If I met a Martian and only had one song with which to explain who the “Band” was, I would play “Acadian Driftwood” for the reasons you mention; they all sing a verse and come together on the chorus. Beautiful brotherhood.
Even if AD is not totally historically accurate - but it's pretty reasonable, and as Otis mentioned, it was the feel of the music. And it's a story. It triggered my intellectual curiousity, and I invite others to read about these people's saga. It bookends will with the McGarragle's Jaques Et Gilles. I always wondered if they were influenced by AD.
Otis, Carny was an OK movie, but an off-the-chain soundtrack. The album is a must-have. Robbie was a musical hero of mine. You are right. Robbie was a top-shelf songwriter and an excellent guitarist. His solos were precise, unorthodox and dangerous. He will be greatly missed.
Yep, Sad day RIP Robbie. I only saw him live once, but it was the penultimate show at Winterland in SF: The Last Waltz. Front row of balcony 10 feet from stage left, Wow what a show. All that talent, but Robbie shined brightly. My favorite song is Somewhere Down the Crazy River.
Hey Otis, I wanted to take time out to say thank you. I've been lately feeling trapped at my job due to the pendulum mood swings that fluctuate 5 days of the week. For someone who was a child of the 70's and a teenager of the 80's, I was born and raised to acknowledge and interact with people. To make conversation and most importantly, listen. With all these musical icons dropping off at a startling rate, my work environment isn't what it used to be. Meaning that at one time, you were politely asked how you were. And you could reply at one time with hey, I just heard Tom Petty passed away and you could automatically connect with someone that knew of him or of course heard his music. Lately with Gordon Lightfoot, David Crosby, etc slipping away, most of the people I work with don't even have a clue who I'm talking about. So it feels sometimes isolating and a little lonely. And you're kind of stuck to your own feelings of loss. I find your channel and I literally smell the coffee as the first few seconds pass...and I'm already feeling like I belong in your circle of honest conversation. It's a calming, centering ora that you deliver. It makes me feel to a degree that it's kind of like therapy. Each "session" I get gives me light and encouragement. Keep up the great work you do Otis. It makes a huge difference and it sure makes me feel a lot better. Cheers.
I saw them a few times. Including at Woodstock and The Last Waltz. But It was in a Volkswagen hippie van that had picked up my friend Brandon and I, who were hitchhiking to California from Long Island NY, somewhere in Utah, with music from Big Pink blasting, the hippie full van singing every word, again, that I hold most fondly. August 1970. Yes - we were harmonizing The Weight as we crossed the Nevada California border in the night. Incredible. Ps - Brandon and I were robbed at gun point in San Francisco within 24 hours of arriving there. And yet: Life is good. Peace Love and Understanding.
I was really hit hard by losing Robbie also. He was one of greatest gentlemen in rock history. His autobiography, Testimony was my favorite rock memoirs...worth a read!
Robbie's guitar solo on To Kingdom Come is so good. The opening lick just grabs you. And the rest of it follows along so perfectly. Robbie guested on The Call's Reconciled album on the song The Morning. It's nothing but attitude. By the way, The Call LOVED The Band. I saw Garth sit in with them at a show back in 1988. Crazy cool. Robbie and The Band are pure American classics.
Loved this man my entire life over 60 years 💔Thank you Robbie and the guys for the Band. Thank you Robbie for The Red Road Ensemble ,Thank you for the other music and for inspiring all others to make music 👏👏👏👏 Rest in Peace .
The self-titles Robbie Robertson album from the 1980s was an incredible piece of work. Every song is its own shade of genius. American Roulette and Hell's Half Acre are to of my favorite songs of all time.
Yes, totally agree, great album, and American Roulette is a classic song that too few people have heard. Fallen Angel, the song that leads off the album, is apparently about Richard Manuel.
Hi Otis, as usual great video. -I first saw the Band not yet knowing, or having yet embraced them as the totally unique melding of musical brotherhood they became to me later. They were at that time backing Bob Dylan on his first electric American Tour at Boston Garden. Having been a huge Dylan fan at the time i remember saying (maybe too many times) , " Can you believe how effing good he (Dylan) sounds?". Later on after Big Pink and the 2nd Album came out I came to realise who the Band was. I got to to see them live about 4 or five times. There were so many facets to the Band performing live that i'm almost at a loss of words where to begin. -Levon was certainly a big key in that he brought the unifying of the various voice style or rather the authentication of the kind of southern Midwest Appalachian flavor to Robbies always brilliant songs. By some cosmically inspired inflluence, they were all were joiined at the hip as realised and performing as a band. When a song featured the various members voices, (and there were many) it always harkened back to some indescribable center as uniquely the Band. I believe they were the real life inspiration for the tongue in cheek characters of the Traveling Willburys. Except of course they got there first and are the real source. The musical center was always Robbie though. Thats where I believe Bob's description of the mathmatical guitar player lies. Even though all the members were completely diverse, they still were defined in their musical identities as the Band. At the center of the Brotherhood though was always Robbie. God speed Robbie.. Thanks Otis, Peace and Love, -doug
So many wonderful songs, and not just the biggies. Some people have mentioned King Harvest (Has Surely Come), but some great ones that don't get mentioned very often: Unfaithful Servant, Rockin' Chair and Whispering Pines (co-write with Richard Manuel).
I knew Robbie Robertson both as a musical hero and a grandfather to a young man that I taught. Both roles are a part of who he was--legendary to those who came behind him.
Agreed that The Last Waltz is the best concert DVD. Bought my first DVD player when that came out. Saw The Band at Watkins Glen Summer Jam 50 years ago. By the time they came on I had worked my way very close to stage left. Thanks for all of your posts. This one is greatly appreciated. From one Hoosier to another.
I was privileged enough to see The Band in concert, and watching Robbie playing filled me with my first case of guitar envy. Fly on, Fallen Angel and keep it ready for us.
He was someone who had a subliminal effect on many thousands of people! Not in an overt way but always there in the background. Somehow influencing the feel and timbre of our era. His music and its effect was in a nutshell sublime.
I saw The Band play at Wembley Stadium, 1974, London. We got there early, maybe 20 people between me and the stage. Jesse Colin Young started, followed by Joni Mitchell and the LA Express. Then came The Band, I was amazed. They finished and CSN&Y, they were good, but The Band stole the show. I was hooked. Loved all the members as they were.
The Band concert-1970 at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. Fine acoustics in the place. To this day I still call it the best concert I'd ever attended. Back then, Robbie was known as J. Robbie Robertson, at least to me he was. Garth did an organ solo that can't be described. When Levon played mandolin, I thought these guys are super talents, nothing they can't do. Robbie seemed to defy gravity, he floated across that stage. I still can see clips from it in my mind. Lucky me, and I truly meant it when telling friends: "You shoulda been there last night" !
Robbie's real name was Jaime Royal Robertson, his mother called him Jaime, his stepfather (who was very physically abusive to both Robbie and his mother) called him Jim or James. Not sure when he started to use the name Robbie, could have been in school, could have been when his mother divorced his abusive stepfather when Robbie was about 13 years old.
The great Robbie Robertson- there are no words. God bless him, God bless his family and his scores of fans. A songwriter and a songwriter's guitar player. He will be missed.
I saw them in the early 80's in Ann Arbor without Robbie, and the Cate Brothers opened. Richard Manuel was still with us then. Even without Robbie it was magical to hear those voices live!
Thanks for the thoughtful commentary on one of the really important people in our music. Eulogies are so often anything but. It’s a shame we don’t have a Mark Twain (“Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated”) moment here because I think Mr Robertson would have been touched by your words. And what a heartbreaking year for those of us who love great soulful guitar players. David Lindley. Jeff Beck. And now Robbie. A strong reminder to go out and hear the musicians you care about now. Just in case. I believe the cancelled show you mention would have been the version of The Band with Jim Weider playing guitar but I’m not sure. I agree with you about the wonders of The Last Waltz but I think their other most notable performance is the Rock of Ages concert with all those great horn players doing Allen Toussaint charts. Your comment about the hard rock guys contaminating the petri dish is absolutely priceless. All the best to you.
Otis, you eulogized him perfectly! I was a huge Neil Young fan - and that’s why I watched “The Last Waltz.” After I saw the concert, I became a huge fan of The Band.
In '65 saw Dylan in concert in Seattle. First half of the show was Dylan playing acoustic / harmonica. Second half the house was blown away by Dylan & this tight tight tight electric back-up band. Dylan referred to this band as "The Hawks." The guy on bass was all about the groove, two keyboards (!) was unheard of, the drummer was a - singing-drummer(!), & out in front, calling the counts, was the guitar player in the band. None of the players were there to impress anyone in the crowd, they were there to do their job, they were the band. As said, b l e w the h o u s e a w a y! Have felt lucky to have seen that version of the Band, could be it's still the best rock'n'roll show I got to see!
Thank you for this. I loved RR for so many years. I saw The Waltz and thought it was one of the best concert ever. In the 90s, I finally discovered who RR was when I was in Toronto and picked up his CD, Contact from the Underworld of Redboy. Man, this CD blew me away. I had just read Leonard Peltier's book and then I hear "Sacrifice." He was a Native person, First Nations, Indigenous, wow...a great storyteller and yes, the best guitarist ever. He had class. I loved the way he wasn't full of himself, he truly cared. I never say him live, but I hear his songs, his breath, the way he played was mesmerizing--touches your soul, it's beyond and his lyrics touches you, the message(s) are powerful. I love another CD by him, Robbie Robertson & The Red Road Ensemble, "Robbie Robertson" his solo. He truly was one of a kind. I'm proud of him. I wish I saw him live.
Fallen Angel came on CBC radio one evening not long after the album release. Only song I can think of that made me stop dead in my tracks to listen to the last note. So long, Robbie. Thanks for all of the songs.
Love ya Robbie, my mom was born in Scotland in 1928 a found The Band in the late 60's and she loved their music more than I can say. After a few drinks she would start singing, soon the entire family and friends would join in. I took this to my kids and they will hopefully give this gift to their's. Thanks Robbie for what you did to my family, pure and beautiful.
Robbie wrote the best song for strippers in Canada. when i was young and went to those places. the girls would have 3 songs to dance too. Two fast songs and one slow one at the end. "Somewhere down the crazy river, was very popular for the 3rd song. Oh, those crazy memories.
Passing of Robbie just makes me more aware of how fortunate to have lived and appreciated icons like him; but also being 10 yrs his junior that it's getting to be about that time
Huge fan of The Band, and as a guitarist, a big Robbie Robertson fan here. One of my favorite moments in The Last Waltz was when Clapton is opening "Further on Up The Road," and at the end of one of his 12 bar turnarounds, this was in the days before strap locks, but the strap came off the top of his Strat. He turned, yelled "Robbie!", and without missing a beat, Robbie took over the intro while EC got his strap fixed, and he played beautifully while Clapton was fiddling with that strap and getting it on the peg. Tremendous professionalism. A very tasteful and respectful piece with this, Otis. Well done, kind sir.
The first show I ever saw was Bob Dylan and The Hawks in 1965 when I was 12 years old. Talk about setting the bar high. I saw The Band at the Felt Forum in 1969 and it was like a party they put on for New York City. Pure joy. Robbie Robertson was an icon, completely unique, who carved out a place for himself in the annals of music that will stand out forever. Really a unique talent. I just wish he had been kinder to Levon.
I don't think Robbie was unkind to Levon. Levon didn't want The Band to stop touring, but Robbie couldn't handle it anymore, he was dealing with 3 heroin addicts, he was married with 3 small children. I think he was more ambitious than the other guys, Levon didn't mind touring and playing in different venues, some not so nice, but Robbie wanted to move on, can't blame him. Levon and the other guys made lots of money (Barney Hoskins biograhpy of The Band) much was wasted on drugs. According to Joe Forno who managed the Band, sans Robbie, from Richard's suicide to 1994, Levon's motto was "don't let your bank account dictate your lifestyle". He spend huge amount on fancy hotels etc. He acted in several movies and still had 20 percent publishing writes for songs from The Band. Forno advanced him quite a bit of money, and when tried to get it back Levon said "I appreciate all you have done for me, and you deserve to get paid, but I just can't afford it". Then he blames Robbie for his problems. I love Levons singing and drumming, but he was bad at managing money, even his own dad said so.
@@hannejeppesen1809 No doubt that's all true. And I really don't know much about the details of their finances or relationship. But it seems to me that whatever Levon was looking for from Robbie, whether justified or not, he could have given him with very little difficulty and made Levon's life a little easier towards the end. After making that kind of music and history together, it seems so trivial to leave a bad taste over money.
That would be the same as giving a drunk a drink, Levon never displayed that he learned to handle money. I have had money trouble and overcome them, I have friends that have had money trouble, some never learn the lesson or take responsibility. If I had won the lottery there would be some friends I would help and others I would not, or just minimal. Don't get me wrong I love Levon's singing and drumming, but his bitterness towards Robbie is a turn off. Besides after what Levon wrote in his book about Robbie, I doubt Robbie would be inclined to help him.@@lbshore
I'm a huge fan of Robbie's, he had a all, looks, charisma, talent so I'm probably a little prejudice. I do love all The Band members, but Robbie and Rick is my favorites.@@lbshore
@@hannejeppesen1809 They were both enormously talented. But neither one of them would have been able to do it without the other. It's just sad that it ended badly. At least John and Paul had apparently made their peace.
Lovely video, Otis. My wife and I drove once from Los Angeles to Hudson, NY to see a Todd Snider show. Really. It was 2013, so Big Pink wasn't hard to find with GPS. We didn't approach the building. We looked at it for a bit, took a picture and sheepishly drove away. I've just realised my story about Tony Soprano's house is exactly the same. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today. It was a really open-hearted tribute. All the best, Mike.
Still in shock - ain’t nobody ever gonna fill those shoes. Prayers to friends and family and fond remembrances of all the great work he did. Greatest of dudes 💔
Oh Robbie...RIP Thanks for the whole deal... Thinking about Robbie is listening to his voice in interviews and in certain songs his voice is just tremendous with so much character.. His voice was intoxicating.. Definitely one of the pioneers of rock and roll gone.. Last Waltz... Neil Young looks over at Robbie and a wink ” we got it now Robbie...”
Back in the 80’s , not sure of the year, the remaining members of The Band played a venue in Charlotte NC. It was a great show. I knew where the band entrance was so we walked back there and waited for them to come out. It was a night my wife and I will never forget. Richard and Garth seemed very shy but Levon and Rick made up for it. I even got pictures with my cheesy Polaroid which they were nice enough to sign. I wish I could post them here. The guy on guitar was introduced as Levon’s cousin. He did a great job and I’m pretty sure he’s still playing. Last I heard about Garth is that he’s in a care facility. There were so many great people in that group. Otis you are correct that we will not see that kind of group again.
Hi Otis, thanks for sharing this sad news. My immediate thoughts on Robbie Robertson take me to the basement tapes, the Last Waltz concert and documentary but there is also one song which stands out as a masterpiece - The song Dirge from Dylan's Planet Waves. Apparently the song was originally called "Dirge for Martha" I wonder who she was? Anyway I have always felt that his playing on that track is incredible.
The old school guys like Robbie came up playing with Levon which is like Keith Richards playing with Charlie Watts in that they didn't play to click tracks...they could stretch tempos and play behind the beat or ahead of the beat with great feel.
Thanks for doing this video Otis. I always like The Bands version of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. A great performance in the Last Waltz movie…a really great film. The Weight, Up on Cripple Creek, and Stage Fright are some of my favorites. RIP Robbie.
Thanks for this Otis. Robbie was a true star. I only saw him once back in the 60s when he and his fellow band members had only left Ronnie Hawkins and hadn't yet hooked up with Dylan. Frankly, I credit Hawkins for his determination to create the best rock'n roll band and giving a then 16 year old Mohawk kid from the Six Nations Indigenous Reserve in south-western Ontario a chance to shine, and boy, he just glowed. Alas Robbie can join again with his great rock'n rollin' former boss and team mates on the eternal sound stage in the sky. Again, Otis, thank you.
Thx for another great conversation Otis…Robbie was one of the greats..saw him w/Dylan in 1974 in Seattle…unforgettable guitar work backing up Dylan cause even then you really weren’t sure where he was going…intro to It Makes No Difference is what I first heard in my head when the news came if his passing..be in the love and the light Robbie , thx so very much..
A few years ago, my husband gave me "The Last Waltz" DVD for Christmas. I had heard about the show, and I knew it was recorded for a movie, but I had never seen it in its entirety. The music is phenomenal! The interviews with the guys are fantastic! Now that we have lost Robbie Robertson, I might have to pull it out and watch it again. I sincerely hope that he and Levon Helm were able to make peace with one another before Levon left us. Robbie went to see Levon before he passed and implied that they were on good terms again. I hope Levon, Rick, and Richard met Robbie on the other side with smiles and hugs all around!
Nicely said, Otis. Since I'm 64 years old, I am not embarrassed to say that The Band and their sound influence my music attitude and the sound I try to present as a solo acoustic performer. Bob Dylan was my inspiration for playing and singing (I thought, hell, if he can sing, then so can I), but that also exposed me to The Band. The song 'It Makes No Difference" makes me tear up every time I hear a recording or watch a video of the The Band playing it, but I dig your description of 'The Weight' and its cultural significance. I was in a dive bar (what else) in Taipei Taiwan in ~2005. Two Canadian guys started playing The Weight and I couldn't help myself and sat there singing along. When the song ended one of them said to me, "wow, you knew every f*****g word, man!" He then handed me his guitar and said help yourself...after about 45 minutes, the bartender yelled out, "Christ Jim, would ya give us a break from The Grateful Dead!" Anyway, The Band will forever be up there for me due to the rustic, yet well layered, sound they produced. I aspire as Taiwan's "Cosmic Americana" troubadour to keep it going. Peace and and always, thanks for the thoughtful words.
'The Unfaithful Servant' totally kills me. What a great song, incredible vocal by Rick Dank and otherwordly horn arrangement. It just doesn't get any better than this as everyone plays exactly what the song needs. And I loved what you said about Robertson's guitar playing being 'all feel'. The acoustic solo at the end of that track is just that, mindblowing!
I saw the Band at the IU Auditorium (Winter 72?) just a leisurely stroll from Wright Quad. I knew then, having transferred from Ball State, I had come to the right place. great orchestration great acoustics... and The Band at their peak. Levon Helm delivering the vocals, head cocked leaning left while driving the snare, Garth Hudson extended solo before Chess Fever... and Robbie driving it all night long...thank you for triggering those very special memories
