Today (August 9) marks the sad first anniversary of the death of Robbie Robertson, best known as the guitarist and main songwriter of The Band. Robertson passed away at age 80 after a battle with prostate cancer.
A Toronto, Canada, native, Robertson began honing his guitar skills with the local club band Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. All of The Band’s future members—Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson—first played together in Hawkins and the Hawks. The Hawks eventually split from Hawkins and, in 1965, the group was hired by Bob Dylan as his touring band.
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[Buy Tickets for “Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson”]
Under Dylan’s mentorship, the members of The Hawks began writing fresh, new original songs. Robertson emerged as the most prolific composer of the group. Rechristened The Band, the outfit released its debut album, Music from Big Pink, in 1968. The Band quickly became one of the most influential acts in rock. Such famous artists as The Beatles, Eric Clapton, and Elton John were inspired by the group’s eclectic Americana amalgam.
The Band’s original lineup famously ended their career with a historic star-studded concert known as “The Last Waltz.” The show, which took place at San Francisco’s famous Winterland venue in November 1976, was documented by director Martin Scorsese for what is now considered one of the greatest concert films of all time, The Last Waltz.
[RELATED: Robbie Robertson Tribute Concert to Feature Performances from Jamey Johnson, Ryan Bingham, Lucinda Williams, & More]
There are obviously many highlights from the show, but in honor of Robertson and the anniversary of his passing, here’s a looking at one specific performance during which Robbie puts his guitar abilities on full display:
Robertson’s Performance on “It Makes No Difference”
The Last Waltz featured The Band performing various classic songs from their catalog. It also showcased collaborations with various legendary guest artists, including Dylan, Clapton, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, and Neil Diamond. One of the standout originals The Band played was “It Makes No Difference.” The song appeared on the group’s 1975 studio album Northern Lights – Southern Cross.
The soulful breakup ballad was written by Robertson and sung by Danko, accompanied on harmonies by Helm and Manuel. In the rendition featured in The Last Waltz, Robertson wrings out every emotional note from his Fender Stratocaster. His bluesy riffs are interspersed throughout the tune’s vocal sections. The song’s finale features Robertson joined by Hudson on piccolo sax for alternating emotive solos.
About the Upcoming Robertson Tribute Concert
As recently announced, Robertson will be saluted at an all-star tribute concert scheduled for October 17 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The show is dubbed “Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson.”
The event will feature performances by Clapton, Morrison, Elvis Costello, The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Mavis Staples, Warren Haynes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers members Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Eric Church, Ryan Bingham, Phish’s Trey Anastasio, and many more.
Tickets for the Robertson tribute concert are available now via various outlets, including StubHub.
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