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Tributes paid to music great Robbie Robertson

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Sunset MusicDish

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Tributes have been paid to the late musician Robbie Robertson, who has been hailed as a Canadian “icon” and a “great friend” following his death at the age of 80.

Robertson was The Band’s lead guitarist and songwriter behind such classics as The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

He died surrounded by family in Los Angeles “after a long illness”, his publicist Ray Costa confirmed to the AP news agency.

Paying tribute on social media, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote: “Guitarist. Songwriter. Storyteller. Robbie Robertson was a big part of Canada’s outsized contributions to the arts.

“I’m thinking of his family, friends, and fans who are mourning his loss. Thank you for the music and the memories, Robbie.”

Former US president Bill Clinton also paid tribute to Robertson.

“Robbie Robertson was a brilliant songwriter, guitarist, and composer whose gifts changed music forever,” he said.

“I’m grateful for all the good memories he gave me – going back to his time in the Hawks when I was a teenager- and for his kindness through the years. I’ll miss him.”

Saluting her fellow Canadian, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell said on social media: “Rest in peace Robbie Robertson, legendary lead guitarist of The Band, fellow Canadian, and cherished collaborator of Joni’s. May his legacy and musical harmony resonate for generations to come.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Neil Diamond paid tribute to Robertson, who produced his album Beautiful Noise.

The American singer wrote: “The music world lost a great one with the passing of Robbie Robertson. Keep making that Beautiful Noise in the sky, Robbie. I’ll miss you.”

The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood shared images from the Martin Scorsese-directed rock documentary The Last Waltz, which featured him and was about a concert billed as The Band’s “farewell” gig.

He wrote: “Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R.”

The Canadian actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland wrote: “The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has lost an icon, and music has lost a poet and a scholar.”

Fellow Canadian Bryan Adams wrote: “RIP Robbie Robertson. Thanks for the amazing music and the great hangs, especially photographing you in LA not so long ago.”

Echoing the lyrics of The Band’s song The Weight, Adams added: “We’ll keep Anna Lee company for you…”

Martin Scorsese remembered his longtime friend, who had collaborated with him on numerous films.

Hailing his friend as “a giant”, Scorsese called Robertson “a constant in my life and work”.

“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.

Martin Scorsese hailed Robbie Robertson as “a constant in my life and work”

“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,” Scorsese said in a statement.

“His effect on the art form was profound and lasting.”

A statement from Robertson’s family to his Twitter page read: “Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny.

“In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support the building of their new cultural centre.”

Source: Press Association, AFP



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