The Band frontman and songwriter Robbie Robertson passed away on August 9, at age 80. His manager Jared Levine released a statement, explaining:
“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. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel and Seraphina.”
Levine also mentioned Robertson’s latest work he completed before passing:
“Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon.'”
He concluded the statement with Robertson’s family’s wish in terms of paying tribute to Robbie:
“In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Center.”
His death resonated among rock stars, and numerous people paid tribute upon Robertson’s passing. Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale tweeted:
“Huge Admirer of his work…Love The Band…RIP Robbie…”
Crosby, Stills & Nash member Stephen Stills shared a performance of Robbie, and wrote:
“Always kind and generous. Rest in peace, Robbie Robertson.”
Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood shared images from The Band’s farewell concert ‘The Last Waltz,’ and expressed his feelings:
“Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed.”
The Band’s ‘The Last Waltz’ was captured by Martin Scorsese in 1976. Since Robbie’s solo career took off, he collaborated with Scorsese both as a producer and as a composer. They worked together in ‘The King of Comedy,’ ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ ‘Irishman,’ and finally, ‘Killers of The Flower Moon.’ Scorsese paid tribute with the following words:
“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.”
In Robbie’s last interview, regarding ‘Killers of The Flower Moon,’ Robertson said:
“We’re in awe ourselves that our brotherhood has outlasted everything. We’ve been through it; we’ve been there and back. I am so proud of our friendship and our work. It’s been just a gift in life.”
You can read the aforementioned tweets below.
Always kind and generous. Rest in peace, Robbie Robertson. @r0bbier0berts0n pic.twitter.com/5jh36cPfVQ
— Stephen Stills (@Stephen__Stills) August 9, 2023
Huge Admirer of his work…Love The Band…RIP Robbie…🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/2qLz21TTp2
— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) August 9, 2023
Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R
Photographs from The Last Waltz pic.twitter.com/I7IHXGJyYj
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) August 9, 2023
