Robbie Robertson Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist Date of Birth: 05.06.1943 Country: Canada

1. Biography of Robbie Robertson
2. Early Life and Career
3. The Band and Collaborations
4. Solo Career and Later Projects
5. Later Years and Current Projects

Biography of Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson, born Jaime Royal Klegerman on June 5, 1943, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his work as the guitarist and primary songwriter for the band 'The Band'. Robertson was ranked 78th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". 'The Band' was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Career

Robbie Robertson's father was Jewish, while his mother was of Mohawk Indian descent. After his parents divorced, he took on his stepfather's surname. From a young age, Robertson showed a talent for music, which he developed in the 'Six Nations' summer camp where he spent time with his mother's family. By 1958, Robertson had already played in several Toronto-based bands, such as 'Little Caesar and the Consuls', 'Robbie and the Robots', and 'Thumper and the Trambones'. In 1959, he met singer Ronnie Hawkins, the leader of 'The Hawks'. Robertson recorded two songs for Hawkins, 'Hey Boba Lu' and 'Someone Like You'. He eventually became the lead guitarist of the group and toured extensively with them until 1963 when he decided to part ways with Hawkins.

The Band and Collaborations

After leaving 'The Hawks', Robertson was joined by Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson. The quintet initially named themselves 'The Canadian Squires' and then 'Levon and the Hawks' before settling on 'The Band'. One of the band's most famous projects was their involvement in Bob Dylan's legendary 1966 tour, where Dylan transitioned from acoustic folk to electric rock 'n' roll. Robertson's guitar played a significant role in Dylan's music, and Dylan himself referred to him as the only guitar genius who did not aggravate his hidden nervousness with his melodies.

In 1976, 'The Band' disbanded due to fatigue from years of touring. In Martin Scorsese's film 'The Last Waltz', Robertson revealed that he had been playing live rock 'n' roll practically since its inception. Robertson was the official songwriter for most of the band's songs, which allowed him to focus on songwriting and live off his royalties. 'The Band' reunited in 1983 without Robertson.

Solo Career and Later Projects

After the breakup of 'The Band', Robertson embarked on a solo career. He produced albums for Neil Diamond, such as 'Beautiful Noise' in 1976 and 'Love At The Greek (live)' in 1977. He also ventured into film, appearing in and contributing to the production of the movie 'Carny' in 1980. This experience sparked Robertson's interest in filmmaking, and he became one of the first rock 'n' roll musicians to seriously pursue a career in cinema.

Robertson composed and produced music for several films, including Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' in 1980 and 'The King of Comedy' in 1982. He released his first solo album since 'The Band', titled 'Between Trains', around the same time. Robertson also collaborated with other artists, such as Van Morrison, for whom he played guitar on the song 'Wonderful Remark'.

In 1987, Robertson served as a creative consultant for the film 'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll', which celebrated Chuck Berry's career. He continued to release solo albums, including 'Robbie Robertson', 'Storyville', 'Music for the Native Americans', and 'Contact from the Underworld of Redboy'. Robertson's song 'Broken Arrow' was later covered by Rod Stewart and became a hit.

Robertson reunited with members of 'The Band' in 1994 to record music for the documentary television series 'Music for The Native Americans'. In the same year, they performed their classic hit 'The Weight' to commemorate their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Later Years and Current Projects

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Robertson worked on various projects and documentary films. In 2000, he joined 'Dreamworks Records' as the Creative Executive Director, helping to discover new talent and oversee film projects. Robertson has continued his involvement in the music industry, collaborating with artists such as Nelly Furtado and working on film soundtracks.

In recent years, Robertson has been working with Eric Clapton, selecting and refining material for Clapton's new album. Robertson's contributions to the music industry were recognized in 1997 when he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters.

Robbie Robertson married journalist Dominique Bourgeois in 1967, and they have three children together. Robertson's impact as a guitarist, songwriter, and creative force in the music and film industries continues to be felt, and he remains actively involved in discovering and nurturing new talent.