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Tributes to his famous friends and admirers flocked to the news of music legend Robbie Robertson’s death on Wednesday (9 August) at the age of 80.
The family of the band’s co-founder (born Jaime Royal “Robbie” Robertson) released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, saying that Robertson was in the process of completing work on Martin Scorsese’s previously released film Killers of the Flower Moon – her 14th film – have completed musical collaboration. Scorsese sent a statement to Billboard calling Robertson “one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and work” and “a giant.” Robertson worked on Scorsese’s Wolf of Wall Street, Gangs of New York, Casino and more after the band’s legendary 1976 farewell concert was featured in the director’s 1978 documentary The Last Waltz. Robertson also launched a successful solo career, beginning with his self-titled debut album in 1987.
Read Scorsese’s full statement below, along with tributes from Jason Isbell, fellow Canadian musician Bryan Adams, Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), Neil Diamond, Steven Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen & the). E Street Band) and many more.
Martin Scorsese: “Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and work. I could go to him at any time as a person of trust. A employee. A consultant. I tried to do the same for him. Long before we met, his music played a central role in my life – in me and in millions and millions of other people around the world. The band’s music, and Robbie’s own later solo music, seemed to come from the very heart of this continent, its traditions, tragedies and joys. It goes without saying that he was a giant and that his impact on the art form was profound and lasting. There is never enough time with someone you love. And I loved Robbie.”
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My heart breaks for @r0bbier0berts0n’s family and I think it’s safe to say that the music we love and make would be very different than what it is without his influence.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) August 9, 2023
Bryan Adams on X: “RIP Robbie Robertson. Thank you for the great music and great performances, especially for the photo shoot in LA not long ago. We’ll keep Anna Lee company for you…”
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The music world has suffered a great loss with the death of Robbie Robertson. Keep making that beautiful sound in the sky, Robbie. I’ll miss you.
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) August 9, 2023
Stephen Stills on X: “Always kind and generous. Rest in peace Robbie Robertson.”
Ronnie Wood on X: “What sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and we will miss him dearly xx R”
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RIP Robbie Robertson. A good friend and a genius. The band’s music shocked the excesses of the Renaissance and was an integral part of the definitive back-to-the-roots trend of the ’60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitarist who was a major contributor to Bob Dylan’s best tour and best album.
— 🕉🇺🇦🟦Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) August 9, 2023
Ron Sexsmith on X: “RIP Robbie Robertson. Inexpressibly sad news. His songwriting and guitar playing left a lasting impact on music and actually changed the direction of music in the late ’60s from a more psychedelic to a more roots-based approach. Huge Loss RS”
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(1/4) In Memoriam: The Band’s Architect and Principal Songwriter Robbie Robertson, recorded in 1994, changed the course of popular music in the late 1960s. Although born and raised in Canada, Robertson found poetry in American history and mythology and with a mixture of pic.twitter.com/c0XSCqRz0y
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) August 9, 2023
dr John about X: “RIP to the amazing Robbie Robertson pictured with Dr. John and Bobby Charles in The Band’s immortal film The Last Waltz.”
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The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has lost an icon and music has lost a poet and scholar.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) August 9, 2023 More info
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Robbie Robertson. His music felt timeless when he wrote it and it remains timeless. Thoughts and love to his family.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 9, 2023
Michael Des Barres on X: “[An] intellectualized rock ‘n’ roll artist who formed THE band. Robbie Robertson is significant in rock ‘n’ roll music history for bringing together Americana and country music. He supported Bob Dylan when Bob went electric. He will be remembered. REST IN PEACE”
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