Generally when a person passes away, a flurry of tributes and condolences respond to the announcement. I felt emptiness and disillusionment when there was almost a deafening silence in responses on the passing of this man when the news broke on Wednesday the 9th of August 2023 in this part of our world. It seemed like the news of his passing had been hurled into dark cyber space and was lost forever in a black hole.
Robbie Robertson was an iconic guitarist, composer and musician who carved out a niche for himself in the heady days of the 60s and 70s fronting a group named, The Band. This consisted of Canadians Rick Danko on bass, pianist Richard Manuel, Robbie on guitar and Garth Hudson on organ and other instruments and was a principal architect of the group's sound. Levon Helm was the American drummer and vocalist.
With the deaths of Richard Manuel in 1986, Rick Danko in 1999, Levon Helm in 2012, and Robbie Robertson in 2023, Hudson is the last living original member of the band.
Robbie grew up in a Native American reservation during his youth and learned music from his mother’s side of the family who were Mohawk and lived on the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve. He rose to prominence with The Band backing Bob Dylan when he went from acoustic to controversial electric performances. With The Band striking out on their own, they carved a niche sound that many have not been able to copy. There were elements of folk, rock, country and Southern rock that influenced people as diverse as The Allman Brothers, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.
The very essence of The Band is captured in the classic Martin Scorsese documentary film The Last Waltz.(1978) This was their farewell concert at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. In one instance, Eric Clapton’s guitar strap comes unhinged and Robbie takes over the solo completely unfazed. He maintained a very close relationship with Martin Scorsese over the years and scored several of the films like Raging Bull, The Wolf On Wall Street and completing the forthcoming Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon just prior to his passing.
May Robbie on his journey to the heavens find eternal peace.
(July 5, 1943 – August 9, 2023)
For the love and respect of his Native American heritage, donations may be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Center.
Written by: Horace Wee
