Martin Scorsese has led the tributes for musician Robbie Robertson following his death aged 80.
The Candian music icon was The Band’s lead guitarist and songwriter behind such classics as The Weight, Up On Cripple Creek and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.
He was known for his collaboration with the group, which included Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson, along with touring with Bob Dylan and lending his musical talents to Scorsese’s films.
Robertson died surrounded by family in Los Angeles “after a long illness”, his publicist Ray Costa confirmed to media.
In the wake of his passing, Scorsese reacted to his long-time collaborator’s death, who recently completed his 12th film music project with him, the forthcoming Killers of the Flower Moon starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The filmmaker shared in a statement: “Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work. I could always go to him as a confidante. A collaborator. An advisor. I tried to be the same for him.
“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. 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.
“It goes without saying that he was a giant, that his effect on the art form was profound and lasting. There’s never enough time with anyone you love. And I loved Robbie”.
Meanwhile 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.”
Such sad news about Robbie Robertson - he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) August 9, 2023
Photographs from The Last Waltz pic.twitter.com/I7IHXGJyYj
Former US president Bill Clinton also paid tribute to Robertson via X.
“Robbie Robertson was a brilliant songwriter, guitarist, and composer whose gifts changed music forever,” Mr Clinton 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.”
English musician Ronnie Wood shared images from the 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.”
Robbie Robertson was a brilliant songwriter, guitarist, and composer whose gifts changed music forever. 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.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 9, 2023
Statement from Robbie Robertson’s family.
— Robbie Robertson (@r0bbier0berts0n) August 9, 2023
📸 Luis Sinco pic.twitter.com/J9c79003D5
Released in 1978, Eric Clapton, Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Sir Ringo Starr also were among the musicians to appear in the film directed by Scorsese.
Musician and 24 actor Kiefer Sutherland, a Canadian, wrote: “The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has lost an icon, and music has lost a poet and a scholar.”
Robertson also contributed to soundtracks for Scorsese films such as The Colour Of Money, The King Of Comedy, The Departed and The Irishman.
Canadian musician 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…”
RIP Robbie Robertson. Thanks for the amazing music and the great hangs, especially photographing you in LA not so long ago. We'll keep Anna Lee company for you... pic.twitter.com/0IqVibzVZm
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) August 9, 2023
While long-time collaborator Martin Scorsese said: “Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work. I could always go to him as a confidante. A collaborator. An advisor. I tried to be the same for him.
“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. 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.
“It goes without saying that he was a giant, that his effect on the art form was profound and lasting. There’s never enough time with anyone you love. And I loved Robbie”.
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.”
