According to consequense.net, The Band’s Robbie Robertson died on Wednesday, August 9 after battling long illness. When learning about the guitarist’s death, tributes from Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, Neil Diamond, Stevie Van Zandt, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and more started to pour in from social media.
“Rest in peace Robbie Robertson, legendary lead guitarist of The Band, fellow Canadian, and cherished collaborator of Joni’s. May his legacy and musical harmony resonate for generations to come.”
“RIP Robbie Robertson. A good friend and a genius. The Band’s music shocked the excess out of the Renaissance and were an essential part of the final back-to-the-roots trend of ‘60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitar player adding greatly to Bob Dylan’s best tour & best album.”
Another tweet read “The music world lost a great one with the passing of Robbie Robertson.” Diamond said on Twitter, while Stills added: “Always kind and generous. Rest in peace, Robbie Robertson.”
“My heart breaks for the family of @r0bbier0berts0n, and I think it’s safe to say that without his influence the music we love and the music we make would be very different from what it is.”
“The Band FOREVER. so saddened to hear about Robbie Robertson’s passing. The records he made and played influenced me profoundly.”
“Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R.”
“God bless Robbie Robertson, peace and love to all his family peace and love. Ringo.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Totally devastated and shocked at his passing. He was a great musician who inspired many of our generation. #robbierobertsonrip.”
“Heartbroken to hear that Robbie Robertson has died. One of the all time greats, a musician’s musician, who shaped my thinking about songs and arrangement more than any other. Rest in well deserved peace.”
“RIP Robbie Robertson. The Band will forever be one of my biggest influences.”
“Guitarist. Songwriter. Storyteller. Robbie Robertson was a big part of Canada’s outsized contributions to the arts. I’m thinking of his family, friends, and fans who are mourning his loss. Thank you for the music and the memories, Robbie.”
“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.”
“Robbie never played the guitar hero role & in the days of his greatest success moved on to become songwriter, producer, instrumentalist within a well-balanced group. But he played better than almost any guitar hero you can name, including ripping Eric a new one at The Last Waltz.”
“The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has lost an icon, and music has lost a poet and a scholar.”
Also in the following statement Filmmaker Martin Scorsese described Robertson as a “confidante.”
“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.”
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