https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/09/entertainment/robbie-robertson-death/index.html

Co founder of The Band

 

The Band is one of my all-time favorites, without question. I've always been a huge Americana music fan, and Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and The Band are among the founding fathers of the genre. Admittedly, I've rolled my eyes at Robbie Robertson and his ego quite a few times in my life, but that doesn't change the fact that he was an absolutely vital part of one of the most compelling bands I've ever listened to.

The Band memorialized their final concert with a huge Thanksgiving Day celebration of music, filmed by Robbie Robertson's close friend Martin Scorsese. The Last Waltz has gone down as one of the definitive and archetypal concert films ever made. A small group of friends and I have been getting together on Thanksgiving night every year after all of the dinner festivities end for nearly two decades now to watch The Last Waltz and relish in the great music.

Richard Manuel died just before I turned 5, so that had virtually no effect on me. Rick Danko died during my freshman year of college, and I remember that giving me pause. Levon Helm died just over a decade ago. His death left me reeling a good bit - especially since he was my favorite member of The Band in addition to his intriguing life and his undeniably unique vocal presence. And now Robbie...well, it's really sad for me thinking that only one more member, Garth, the least personable member of The Band, is left remaining.

I've been spinning my The Band records all night tonight.

The final number from The Last Waltz, one of The Band's signature songs, "I Shall Be Released". Most of the musical guests from the concert joined on stage to perform along with them.

Bob Dylan
Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones)
Van Morrison
Ringo Starr (The Beatles)
Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
Joni Mitchell
Neil Young
Neil Diamond
Dr. John
Ronnie Hawkins (responsible for organizing The Band)
 

 

Great band, unique sound that hits a chord with me. Levon's voice is one of my All-Time favorites and musically they were just great.