Tuesday, October 22

Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band, dies aged 80

Robbie Robertson, lead guitarist and songwriter of The Band, has died aged 80.

Robertson was behind such classics as The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek, and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

He died surrounded by his household, a press release from his supervisor mentioned.

The Band initially served as Bob Dylan’s backing group – earlier than changing into extremely influential within the Nineteen Sixties and 70s. They performed at Woodstock in 1969.

Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson performing at the Isle of Wight festival in 1970. Pic: Mike Walker/Shutterstock
Image:
Bob Dylan and Robbie Robertson performing on the Isle of Wight pageant in 1970. Pic: Mike Walker/Shutterstock

Besides Robertson, who was born in Canada, the group featured drummer-singer Mark “Levon” Helm and bassist-singer-songwriter Rick Danko, keyboardist singer-songwriter Richard Manuel and all-around musical wizard Garth Hudson.

The Band are nonetheless outlined by their first two albums, Music From Big Pink and the self-titled The Band, each launched within the late Nineteen Sixties.

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Director Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson. Pic: AP
Image:
Director Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson. Pic: AP

Robertson additionally ceaselessly collaborated with Martin Scorsese, together with on the director’s newest film Killers Of The Flower Moon.

The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Content Source: information.sky.com