Robbie Robertson remembered by Martin Scorsese, Neil Diamond and more after death aged 80
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.”
