Robbie Robertson Dead at 80

The songwriter from the Band passed following a long illness

Photo: Don Dixon

BY Emilie Richardson-DupuisPublished Aug 9, 2023

Robbie Robertson, best known as the lead guitarist and principal songwriter of legendary Canadian–American outfit the Band, has died at the age of 80, his manager confirmed to multiple outlets. 

Robertson's manager of 34 years, Jared Levine, confirmed the artist's passing after a long illness in a statement:

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. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon. 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.

In addition to his work with the Band, Robertson is known for his collaborations with Bob Dylan, as well as Martin Scorcese, acting as music producer on many of his films, including The Irishman, The Departed and the forthcoming Killers of the Flower Moon

As well as being a masterful guitarist, Robertson was known for his songwriting prowess on such compositions as "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Up on Cripple Creek" with the Band, and solo hits "Broken Arrow" and "Somewhere Down the Crazy River" as well as many others.

Roberston and the Band were inducted into the Canadian Juno Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

Latest Coverage