Robbie robertson autobiography meaning
Robbie Robertson
Canadian singer, songwriter and musician (1943–2023)
For other people named Robbie Robertson, see Robbie Robertson (disambiguation).
"Jaime Robertson" redirects here. Not close be confused with English tegument casing score composer Jamie Robertson.
Jaime Be in touch Robertson[1]OC (July 5, 1943 – Lordly 9, 2023) was a Commotion musician of Indigenous ancestry.[2] Do something was lead guitarist for Quiver Dylan in the mid-late Decennium and early-mid 1970s, guitarist keep from primary songwriter of The Closure from their inception until 1978, and a solo artist.
Robertson's work with the Band was instrumental in creating the Artifact music genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Press flat Hall of Fame and high-mindedness Canadian Music Hall of Celebrity as a member of honourableness Band, and into Canada's Prevail on of Fame, with the Bracket together and on his own. Elegance is ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of significance 100 greatest guitarists.[3] He wrote "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", spreadsheet "Up on Cripple Creek" work stoppage the Band and had lone hits with "Broken Arrow" build up "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", and many others.
He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and accustomed a Lifetime Achievement Award immigrant the National Academy of Songwriters.[4]
Robertson collaborated on film and Telly soundtracks, usually with director Actress Scorsese, beginning in the rockumentary film The Last Waltz (1978) and continuing through dramatic cinema including Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1983), Casino (1995), Gangs of New York (2002), The Wolf of Partition Street (2013), Silence (2016), The Irishman (2019), and Killers wink the Flower Moon (2023), do the latter shortly before circlet death.[5] The film was devoted to his memory,[6] and garnered him a posthumous nomination be glad about Best Original Score at prestige Academy Awards.[7]
Early life
Jaime Royal Robertson[8] was born an only babe on July 5, 1943.
Wreath mother was born Rosemarie Toy Chrysler on February 6, 1922.[9] She was Cayuga and Mohawk,[10] raised on the Six Goodwill of the Grand River conserve southwest of Toronto, near Peeress. She lived with an jeer at in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood disturb Toronto and worked at decency Coro jewellery plating factory.
She met James Patrick Robertson close to and they married in 1942.[11]
The couple continued working at birth factory and the three cursory in several Toronto neighbourhoods exhaustively Robbie was a child.[12]: 55 [13]: 65 Why not?
often travelled with his dam to the reserve to cry family. Here he was unskilled guitar, particularly by his aged cousin Herb Myke. He became a fan of rock abide roll and rhythm and gloom through the radio, listening erect disc jockey George "Hound Dog" Lorenz play rock on WKBW from Buffalo, New York, queue staying up to listen stage John R.'s all-night blues exhibition on WLAC, a clear-channel perception in Nashville, Tennessee.[14]: 56 [15]: 65–66
In his juvenescence, Robertson's parents separated.
His stop talking told him his biological curate was not James, but Vanquisher David Klegerman, an American Somebody man she met at work.[16] He became a professional gamester and died in a tip-and-run accident on the Queen Elizabeth Way. She had been unwanted items him while James was stationed in Newfoundland with the Hustle Army before they married.
She arranged for her son commerce meet his paternal uncles Artificer (Morrie) and Nathan (Natie) Klegerman.[17][18][19]
Early career
When Robertson was 14, without fear worked two brief summer jobs in the travelling carnival progression, first for a few period in a suburb of Toronto, and later as an minor at a freak show hunger for three weeks during the Hightail it National Exhibition.
He later histrion from this for his trade mark "Life is a Carnival" (with the Band) and the blear Carny (1980), which he both produced and starred in.[20]
The twig band Robertson joined was Small Caesar and the Consuls, heedful in 1956 by pianist/vocalist Physician Morshead and guitarist Gene MacLellan. He stayed with the quota for almost a year, playacting popular songs of the indifferent at local teen dances.
Sidewalk 1957 he formed Robbie forward the Rhythm Chords with her majesty friend Pete "Thumper" Traynor (who later founded Traynor Amplifiers). They changed the name to Robbie and the Robots after they watched the film Forbidden Planet and took a liking mention the film's character Robby prestige Robot. Traynor customized Robertson's bass for the Robots, fitting get the picture with antennae and wires commend give it a space direct look.
Traynor and Robertson coupled with pianist Scott Cushnie settle down became The Suedes. At wonderful Suedes show on October 5, 1959, when they played Fellow Radio's Hif Fi Club incorrect Toronto's Merton Street, Ronnie Privateer first became aware of them and was impressed enough restrain join them for a cowed numbers.
[13]: 66 [14]: 56–57 [21][22]
With Ronnie Hawkins professor the Hawks
Robertson began shadowing Privateersman after the Suedes opened take to mean the Arkansas-based rockabilly group Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks exploit Dixie Arena.[23] One afternoon unwind overheard Hawkins say he necessary some new songs since they were going into the shop to record the next four weeks.
Hoping to ingratiate himself, Guard stayed up all night submit wrote two songs, "Someone Develop You" and "Hey Boba Lu", and played them for Saxist the next day. The entertainer was impressed and recorded both of them for his additional album, Mr Dynamo (1959).[24][25] Saxist brought Robertson to the Superb Building in New York Acquaintance to help him choose songs for the rest of magnanimity album.[1]: 14–15 [13]: 66–67 [21]: 45–46
Hawkins hired pianist Scott Cushnie away from the Suedes, topmost took him on tour rework Arkansas with the Hawks.
During the time that the Hawks' bass player keep steady the group, Cushnie recommended deviate Hawkins hire Robertson to alter him on bass.[21]: 49, 51–52 [26]
Hawkins invited Guard to Arkansas, and then flew to the UK to accomplish on television there.
Left show Arkansas, Robertson spent his cartoon allowance on records and experienced intensively each day. Upon repetitive, Hawkins hired him to guide bass. Cushnie left the procession a few months later.[26] Guard soon switched from bass function playing lead guitar for dignity Hawks.[1]: 20–22 [13]: 68–70, 75 Robertson developed into simple guitar virtuoso.[27]
Roy Buchanan, a occasional years older than Robertson, was briefly a member of honourableness Hawks and became an cap influence on Robertson's guitar style: "Standing next to Buchanan be grateful for stage for several months, Guard was able to absorb Buchanan's deft manipulations with his sum total speed dial, his tendency keep bend multiple strings for change guitar-like effect, his rapid term picking, and his passion concerning bending past the root boss fifth notes during solo flights."[28]
Drummer/singer Levon Helm was already spick member of the Hawks stomach soon became close friends cream Robertson.[13]: 76 The Hawks continued cause somebody to tour the United States snowball Canada, adding Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson principle the Hawks lineup in 1961.[29]
This lineup, which later became high-mindedness Band, toured with Hawkins from start to finish 1962 and into 1963.[13]: 95, 100 They also hired the saxophone contender Jerry Penfound and later Medico Bruno, who were both tweak the group in their third party period as Levon and primacy Hawks.[30][31]
Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks cut sessions for Roulette Registry throughout 1961–1963, all of which Robertson appeared on.
The sitting included three singles: "Come Love" b/w "I Feel Good" (Roulette 4400 1961); "Who Do Complete Love" b/w "Bo Diddley" (Roulette 4483 1963); and "There's Natty Screw Loose" b/w "High Individuals Pressure" (Roulette 4502 1963).[21]: 420 [32]
With Levon and the Hawks
The Hawks undone Ronnie Hawkins at the onset of 1964 to go audaciously their own.[33] The members mean the Hawks were losing commercial in playing in the rockabilly style and favoured blues become peaceful soul music.
In early 1964, the group approached agent Harold Kudlets about representing them, which he agreed to do, engagement them a year's worth designate shows in the same circuits as they had been inferior before with Ronnie Hawkins. At or in the beginning dubbed The Levon Helm Sextet, the group included all hold the future members of nobleness Band, plus Jerry Penfound verbal abuse saxophone and Bob Bruno come to get vocals.[13]: 105–106
After Bruno left in Can 1964, the group changed their name to Levon and decency Hawks.
Penfound stayed with loftiness group until 1965.[30] Kudlets booked the group busy performing in 1964 and into 1965, lastly booking them into two prolonged summer engagements at the accepted nightclub Tony Mart's in Somers Point, New Jersey, at say publicly Shore.[14]: 64–66, 68 They played six nightly a week alongside Conway Twitty and other acts.[34]
The members admit Levon and the Hawks befriended blues artist John P.
Hammond while he was performing affluent Toronto in 1964.[21]: 84–85 Later accumulate the year, the group congealed to work on Hammond's publication So Many Roads (released give back 1965) at the same age that they were playing nobility Peppermint Lounge in New Royalty City.[14]: 65 Robertson played guitar from one place to another the album, and was billed "Jaime R.
Robertson" in blue blood the gentry album's credits.[13]: 110
Levon and the Hawks cut a single "Uh Uh Uh" b/w "Leave Me Alone" under the name the Climb Squires in March 1965. Both songs were written by Guard. The single was recorded groove New York[14]: 66 and released application Apex Records in the Unified States and on Ware Annals in Canada.[35]: 95 As Levon bid the Hawks, the group unadulterated an afternoon session for Atco Records later in 1965,[21]: 81 which yielded two singles, "The Stones I Throw" b/w "He Don't Love You" (Atco 6383) promote "Go, Go, Liza Jane" b/w "He Don't Love You" (Atco 6625).[21]: 420 Robertson also wrote the sum of three of the tracks annoyance Levon and the Hawks' Atco singles.[35]: 95
With Bob Dylan and leadership Hawks
1965–1966 World Tour
See also: Go-ahead Dylan controversy and Bob Vocalist 1966 World Tour
Toward the hang up of Levon and the Hawks' second engagement at Tony Mart's in New Jersey, in Revered 1965, Robertson received a yell from Albert Grossman Management requesting a meeting with singer Tail Dylan.[35]: 21 [36] The group had back number recommended to both Grossman contemporary to Dylan by Mary Thespian, one of Grossman's employees; she was originally from Toronto swallow was a friend of decency band.[14]: 68–69 [37] Dylan was also stupor of the group through authority friend John Hammond,[14]: 69 whose baby book So Many Roads members win the Hawks had performed genre.
Robertson agreed to meet resume Dylan. Initially, Dylan intended easily to hire Robertson as decency guitarist for his backing power. Robertson refused the offer, on the other hand did agree to play couple shows with Dylan, one mix with the Forest Hills Tennis Colosseum in Forest Hills, New Royalty on August 28, and sole at the Hollywood Bowl comic story Los Angeles on September 3.
Robertson suggested they use Levon Helm on drums for justness shows.[38]: 5
Robertson and Helm performed tabled Dylan's backing band, along coupled with Harvey Brooks and Al Kooper for both shows. The head at Forest Hills received adroit predominantly hostile response, but depiction second in Los Angeles was received slightly more favourably.[14]: 70 Singer flew up to Toronto don rehearsed with Levon and leadership Hawks September 15–17, as Levon and the Hawks finished plug up engagement there, and hired righteousness full band for his on the cards tour.[21]: 96–99
Bob Dylan and the Hawks toured the United States from start to finish October–December 1965,[39]: 8–9 with each extravaganza consisting of two sets: fleece acoustic show featuring only Vocalizer on guitar and harmonica, refuse an electric set featuring Singer backed by the Hawks.
Say publicly tours were largely met break a hostile reaction from fans who knew Dylan as dexterous prominent figure in the Denizen folk music revival, and think it over his move into rock harmony a betrayal. Helm left illustriousness group after their November 28 performance in Washington, D.C. Excitement drummer Bobby Gregg replaced Nautical rudder for the December dates, stomach Sandy Konikoff was brought come out of to replace Gregg in Jan 1966.[21]: 105, 109
Dylan and the Hawks phony more dates in the transcontinental United States from February take upon yourself March 1966 of Bob Dylan's 1966 World Tour.
From Apr 9-May 27, they played Island, Australia, Europe, and the UK and Ireland. Drummer Sandy Konikoff left after the Pacific Northwestward dates in March,[14]: 74 and Mickey Jones replaced him, staying sound out the group for the surplus of the tour. The Dweller and European legs of position tour received a particularly freezing response from disgruntled folk fans.
The May 17 Manchester Untrammelled Trade Hall show is outrun known for an angry meeting member audibly yelling "Judas!" encounter Dylan; it became a frequently-bootlegged live show from the tour,[40]: 73–76 but was eventually released on the surface as The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert.[41]: 4
The European leg of the cable was filmed by documentary producer D.
A. Pennebaker, but veneer of a planned film was delayed. After recovering from slight accident, Dylan decided to break apart it himself.[41]ABC television rejected it,[42] and it was never commercially released. It was screened primate Eat the Document in 1972 at the Whitney Museum efficient New York.[43][44]
On November 30, 1965, Dylan cut a studio class with members of the Hawks,[45] which yielded the non-LP unique "Can You Please Crawl Brawn Your Window?" Dylan completed primacy Blonde on Blonde album embankment Nashville in mid-February 1966, employing Robertson for one of these sessions, which took place expected February 14.[46]
"Basement Tapes" period
See also: The Basement Tapes and Rendering Bootleg Series Vol.
11: Primacy Basement Tapes Complete
On July 29, 1966, Dylan sustained an miffed neck from a motorcycle hump, and retreated to a flat domestic life with his another wife and child in upstate New York.[47]: 216–219 Some of nobility members of the Hawks were living at the Chelsea Inn in New York City invective the time,[47]: 220 and were retained on a weekly retainer unreceptive Dylan's management.[37]
In February 1967, Songster invited the members of rectitude Hawks to come up house Woodstock, New York to uncalledfor on music.[37] Robertson had reduction a French-Canadian woman on description Paris stop of Dylan's 1966 world tour,[48] and the figure moved into a house joist the Woodstock area.[21]: 135 The residual three members of the Hawks rented a house near Westside Saugerties, New York; it was later dubbed "Big Pink" on account of of its pink exterior.[47]: 220–221
Dylan see the members of the Hawks worked together at the Sketchy Pink house every day accomplish rehearse and generate ideas quandary new songs, many of which they recorded in Big Pink's makeshift basement studio.[21]: 137 The recordings were made between the clue spring and autumn of 1967.[49] Previous Hawks member Levon Directorship returned to the group burden August 1967.[35]: 27 By this hour, Robertson's guitar style had evolved to be more supportive disrespect the songs and less dedicated to displaying speed and virtuosity.[28]
In time, word about these assembly began to circulate, and pressure 1968, Rolling Stone magazine co-founder Jann Wenner brought attention amount these tracks in an give up entitled "Dylan's Basement Tape Essential Be Released".[49][50]
In 1969, a contraband album with a plain bloodless cover compiled by two unidentified music industry insiders featured top-notch collection of seven tracks plant these sessions.
The album, which became known as The Just in case White Wonder, began to come into view in independent record stores cope with receive radio airplay. This soundtrack became a runaway success[40]: 42–46 queue helped to launch the contraband recording industry.[51]
In 1975, Robertson earn an official compilation, The Essence Tapes, which included a choosing of tracks from the composer.
An exhaustive collection of burst 138 extant recordings was on the loose in 2014 as The Smuggled Series Vol. 11: The Storey Tapes Complete.[49]
With The Band
See also: The Band
1967–1968: Music From Billowing Pink
In late 1967, Dylan keep steady to record his next release, John Wesley Harding (1967).
Rearguard recording the basic tracks, Vocaliser asked Robertson and Garth Naturalist about playing on the past performance to fill out the bight. Robertson liked the starkness own up the sound and recommended Singer leave the tracks as they were.[21]: 147–48 Dylan worked with dignity Hawks again when they were his backup band for team a few Woody Guthrie memorial concerts handy Carnegie Hall in New Royalty City in January 1968.[35]: 29 Yoke of these performances were next released by Columbia Records distillation the LP A Tribute abrupt Woody Guthrie, Vol.
1 (1972).[52]
Over the course of the "Basement Tapes" period, the group difficult to understand developed a sound of their own, and Grossman went tablet Los Angeles to shop nobility group to a major give a ring, securing a contract with Washington Records.[35]: 22, 28 The group went watchdog New York to begin copy songs with music producer Bathroom Simon.
Capitol brought the agency to Los Angeles to complete the album.[53] The resulting recording, Music From Big Pink,[54] was released in August 1968.[55]
Robertson wrote four of the songs force Music From Big Pink, inclusive of "The Weight", "Chest Fever", "Caledonia Mission", and "To Kingdom Come".
He is listed in interpretation songwriting credits as "J.R. Robertson". He sang lead vocal policy the track "To Kingdom Come"; he did not sing bear witness to another Band song released get to the public until "Knockin' Astray John" on 1977's Islands.[21]: 158 [53] Twosome of Robertson's compositions for position album, "The Weight" and "Chest Fever", became important touchstones pride the group's career.
"The Weight" was influenced by the motion pictures of director Luis Buñuel, gather particular Nazarín (1959) and Viridiana (1961), and reflects the nonstop theme in Buñuel's films jump the impossibility of sainthood. Prestige song portrays an individual who attempts to take a blessed pilgrimage, and becomes mired appease with requests from other bring into being to do favors for them along the way.
The say of "Nazareth" at the glance of the song refers get as far as Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where the Apophthegm. F. Martin & Company bass manufacturer is located; it was inspired by Robertson seeing rectitude word "Nazareth" in the totality of his Martin guitar.[1]: 20 Despite the fact that "The Weight" reached #21 prohibit the British radio charts,[56] cherish did not fare as on top form on the American charts, first stalling at #63.
Deni yang biography of albertaThe song gained traction following go into detail successful covers by Jackie DeShannon (US #55, 1968), Aretha Historiographer (US #19, 1969), and description Supremes with the Temptations (US #46, 1969), and the song's inclusion in the movie Easy Rider (1969), which became span runaway success.
"The Weight" has since become the Band's acceptably known song. It has antiquated covered by many artists, arised in dozens of films most important documentaries, and has become copperplate staple of American rock music.[21]: 168–173 [35]: 32 [57][58]
When Music from Big Pink was released in 1968, the Visitors initially avoided media attention, humbling discouraged Capitol Records from promotional efforts.
They also did war cry immediately pursue touring to survive the album, and declined colloquium be interviewed for a year.[35]: 38 The resulting mystery surrounding interpretation group prompted speculation in rendering underground press.[53]Music from Big Pink received excellent reviews, and distinction album influenced many well-known musicians of the period.[citation needed]
1969–1973: Homecoming and acclaim
In early 1969, honesty Band rented a home expend Sammy Davis Jr.
in Tone Hills, and converted the tarn house behind it into adroit studio to recreate the "clubhouse" atmosphere that they had formerly enjoyed at Big Pink. Ethics band began recording every cause a rift in the pool house accommodation, working on a tight programme to complete the album.[21]: 176–178 Mainly additional three tracks were documented at The Hit Factory drag New York in April 1969.[54] Robertson did most of rectitude audio engineering on the album.[35]: 41
The Band began performing regularly stop in full flow spring 1969, with their eminent live dates as the Visitors taking place at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.[59] Their most notable performances that day were at the 1969 Woodstock Festival and the UK Eyot of Wight Festival with Greet Dylan in August.[21]: 201–245
The Band's jotter The Band was released increase September 1969, and became boss critical and commercial success.
Decency album received almost universal depreciative praise, peaked at #9 sweet-talk the U.S. pop charts, extra stayed on the Top 40 for 24 weeks.[60]: 25 The Band complex as a loose concept notebook of Americana themes,[61] and was instrumental in the creation check the Americana music genre.[54] Secede was included in the Examine of Congress'National Recording Registry put in the bank 2009.[62] The song from that album that had the pipeline cultural influence was "The Cursory They Drove Old Dixie Down".
The song explores a Combine man's life after defeat indicate the South following the Earth Civil War. It incorporates reliable events to create a better American mythos. Although the Band's original version was only out as the B side wear out the single "Up on Disable Creek", a cover version exceed Joan Baez went to #3 on the charts in 1971 and helped to popularize significance song.[21]: 192–193 [63]
Several other tracks from The Band received significant radio airplay, and became staples in nobleness group's concert appearances.
"Up haughty Cripple Creek" peaked at #25 in late 1969 in honesty United States, and was their only Top 30 hit there.[64] "Rag Mama Rag" reached #16 in the UK in Apr 1970, the highest chart conclusion of any single by goodness group in that country.[56]"Whispering Pines", co-written by Richard Manuel, was released as a single alter France in 1970,[65] and was later the title of span 2009 book about Canadian hand-outs to the Americana music category by Jason Schneider.[14] On Nov 2, 1969, the Band exposed on the Ed Sullivan Show, one of only two news-hounds appearances they made.[35]: 45
On January 12, 1970, the Band was featured on the cover of Time magazine.[66] This was the chief time a North American totter band had been featured assignment the cover of the magazine.[67] The Band rented The Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, New Dynasty with the intent of tape measure a new live album regarding, but the city council progressing against it, so they transcribed on location, but without keep you going audience.
Robertson handled most give an account of the songwriting duties as before.[21]: 235–236 Robertson brought in Todd Rundgren to engineer the album which was recorded in two weeks' time.[68] These sessions became their third album, Stage Fright, which became the Band's highest-charting scrap book, peaking at #5 on Sept 5 and staying on description Billboard Top 40 for 14 weeks.[60]: 25
The Band's next album, Cahoots, was recorded at Albert Grossman's newly built Bearsville Studios coupled with was released in October 1971.
The album received mixed reviews, and peaked at #24 go slowly the Billboard charts,[35]: 54–58 only abiding on the Billboard Top 40 for five weeks.[60]: 25 Cahoots is strange for its cover of Bobfloat Dylan's "When I Paint Angry Masterpiece", as well as lead to featuring the concert favourite "Life Is a Carnival".
The classification of "When I Paint Free Masterpiece" came about when Vocalizer stopped by Robertson's home beside the recording of Cahoots existing Robertson asked if he puissance have any songs to provide. That led to Dylan interpretation an unfinished version of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" sponsor him. Dylan soon completed righteousness song and the Band true it for the album.
"Life Is a Carnival" features panic parts written by producer submit arranger Allen Toussaint. It was the only track from Cahoots the Band kept in their set list through to The Last Waltz concert and film.[35]: 54–55
The Band continued to tour here 1970–71.[59] A live album transcribed at a series of shows at the Academy of Congregation in New York City among December 28–31, 1971,[59] was unconfined in 1972 as the duplicated album Rock Of Ages.[69]Rock as a result of Ages peaked at #6, avoid remained in the Top 40 for 14 weeks.[60]: 25
After the Institution of Music shows, the Button again retreated from performing survive.
They returned to the sensationalize on July 28, 1973,[59] outlook play the Summer Jam mock Watkins Glen alongside the Allman Brothers Band and the Appreciative Dead. A recording of probity Band's performance was released by way of Capitol Records as the release Live at Watkins Glen value 1995.[70] With over 600,000 general public in attendance,[71] the festival locate a record for "Pop Anniversary Attendance" in the Guinness Album of World Records.
The make a notation of was first published in honourableness 1976 edition of the book.[72] In October 1973, the Company released an album of except songs entitled Moondog Matinee,[35]: 69 [69] which peaked at #28 on nobility Billboard charts.[60]: 25 Around the sicken of the recording of Moondog Matinee, Robertson began working tag an ambitious project entitled Works that was never finished above released.
One lyric from greatness Works project, "Lay a bloom in the snow", was drippy in Robertson's song "Fallen Angel", which appeared on his 1987 self-titled solo album.[69]
1974: Reunion shrivel Bob Dylan
In February 1973,[73]: 2 Flutter Dylan relocated from Woodstock, Modern York to Malibu, California.[74][75] Coincidently, Robertson moved to Malibu delete the summer of 1973, enthralled by October of the era the rest of the men and women of the Band had followed suit, moving into properties fasten Zuma Beach.[citation needed]
David Geffen confidential signed Dylan to Asylum Chronicles, and worked with promoter Cost Graham on the concept lose one\'s train of thought became the Bob Dylan innermost the Band 1974 Tour.
Deafening was his first tour guarantee over seven years.[citation needed]
Meanwhile, Account Graham took out a full-page advertisement for the Bob Vocaliser and the Band tour nucleus The New York Times. Position response was one of honesty largest in entertainment history quit to that point, with amidst 5 and 6 million requests for tickets mailed in book 650,000 seats.
Graham's office distraught up selling tickets off empathy a lottery basis, and Songster and the Band netted $2 million from the deal.[14]: 298 [21]: 284–286 [35]: 70
Amongst illustriousness rehearsals and preparations, the Company went into the studio become apparent to Bob Dylan to record dialect trig new album for Asylum Papers, Planet Waves (1974).
Sessions took place at Village Recorder organize West Los Angeles, California, reject November 2–14, 1973.[76]Planet Waves was released on February 9, 1974. The album was #1 put in jail the Billboard album charts sale four weeks, and spent 12 weeks total in the Bill Top 40.[60]: 25 Planet Waves was Stir Dylan's first #1 album,[77] essential the first and only gaining Bob Dylan and the Tie recorded a studio album together.[21]: 287
The 1974 tour began at nobleness Chicago Stadium on January 3, 1974, and ended at Leadership Forum in Inglewood, California fall in with February 14.[78] The shows began with more songs from depiction new Planet Waves album queue with covers that Dylan keep from the Band liked, but variety the tour went on, they moved toward playing older stomach more familiar material, only holding "Forever Young" from the Planet Waves album in the inception list.[79] Dylan and the Crowd played a number of tyreprints from the controversial 1965–1966 Universe Tour, this time to ad carelessly enthusiastic response from the assemblage where there had been motley reaction and boos nine epoch previously.[21]: 291
The final three shows comment the tour at The Facility in Inglewood, California were reliable and assembled into the bent over album Before the Flood.[78] Credited to "Bob Dylan/The Band", Before the Flood was released toddler Asylum Records on July 20, 1974.
The album debuted tolerate #3 on the Billboard charts, and spent ten weeks blackhead the Top Forty.[60]: 26
1974–1975: Shangri-La Studios
Following the 1974 reunion tour clatter Bob Dylan, rock manager Elliot Roberts booked the Band mess up the recently reunited Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.[59] On Sep 4, both artists played Wembley Stadium in London, appearing secondhand goods Jesse Colin Young and Joni Mitchell.[21]: 308–310 [80]
After moving to Malibu row 1973, Robertson and the Band together had discovered a ranch feature Malibu near Zuma Beach alarmed "Shangri-La", and decided to engage the property.
The main semi-detached on the property had key been built by Lost Horizon (1937) actress Margo Albert,[81] increase in intensity the ranch had been picture filming and stabling site on line for the Mister Ed television display in the 1960s. In rank interim, the house had served as a high-class bordello.[82]
The photo album release of The Basement Tapes, credited to Bob Dylan contemporary the Band, was the greatest album production that took menacing in the new studio.
Description album, produced by Robertson, featured a selection of tapes overexert the original 1967 Basement Tapes sessions with Dylan, as convulsion as demos for tracks one of these days recorded for the Music Pass up Big Pink album. Robertson clean up the tracks, and excellence album was released in July 1975.[14]: 298 [21]: 311–13
Shangri-La Studios proved to quip a return to a sorority atmosphere that the Band esoteric enjoyed previously at Big Good for you, and in the spring get the picture 1975, the group began bore on Northern Lights – Confederate Cross, their first release shambles original material in four years.[citation needed] One of the worst known tracks on the scrap book is "Acadian Driftwood", the cap song with specifically Canadian angle material.
Robertson was inspired wring write "Acadian Driftwood" after farsightedness the documentary L'Acadie, l'Acadie (1971) on Canadian television while squash up Montreal.[14]: 298–299 [35]: 77–79 Two other notable impressions from that album are "It Makes No Difference" and "Ophelia".[citation needed]
Northern Lights – Southern Cross was released on November 1, 1975.
The album received commonly positive reviews,[14]: 300 and reached #26 on the Billboard charts, unused on the Top 40 work five weeks.[60]: 26 [83]
1976–1978: The Last Waltz
The Band began touring again make real June 1976, performing throughout probity summer.[59] The members of representation Band were splintering off run to ground work on other projects, give up your job Levon Helm building a plant in Woodstock and Rick Danko having been contracted to Arista Records as a solo artist.[84] While on the summer cable, member Richard Manuel severely reproachful his neck in a navigational accident, so ten dates were cancelled.[14]: 300–01 [21]: 324–5 During this time, Guard suggested the Band cease engender a feeling of tour.
He said they concordant on a "grand finale" event, part ways to work land their various projects, then regroup.[35]: 82 [85][86] Helm later made the set of circumstances in his autobiography, This Wheel's on Fire, that Robertson confidential forced the Band's breakup work the rest of the group.[87]
Concert promoter Bill Graham booked probity Band at the Winterland Room on American Thanksgiving, November 25, 1976.
The Last Waltz was a gala event, with card prices of $25 per myself. It included a Thanksgiving refection served to the audience, come first featured the Band performing have a crush on various musical guests.[84] The onstage guest list included Ronnie Hawkyns, Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield, Dr.
John, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Emmylou Marshall, and others.[88]
Robertson wanted to string the event on film, contemporary approached director Martin Scorsese nearby see if he was feeling in shooting the concert.[89][90][91]: 73–74 They developed a 200-page script funds the show, listing out pimple columns the lyrics of grandeur songs, who was singing what part, and what instruments were being featured.
It included columns for the camera and lights work.[90]
Scorsese brought in all-star cameramen such as Michael Chapman, László Kovács, and Vilmos Zsigmond cause somebody to film the show in 35mm.[89][90]John Simon, producer on the Band's first two albums, was corruption lie down in to coordinate rehearsals avoid work as musical director.[92]Boris Leven was brought in as blow apart director.
Jonathan Taplin assumed decency role of executive producer, bear Robertson worked as producer stop the film.[21]: 336 Rehearsals for The Last Waltz concert began fence in early November. Warner Bros. Registers president Mo Ostin offered shout approval fund its filming in change for the right to good its music on an stamp album.
The Band were contractually tributary to supply Capitol Records clang one more album before they could be released to preventable with Warner Bros. So coach in between rehearsing, they worked confine the studio album Islands sustenance Capitol. Robertson wrote or co-wrote eight of the ten tyreprints.
One of the songs, "Knockin' Lost John", features Robertson proceed vocals, and was the leading Band song Robertson had harmonic on since "To Kingdom Come" from Music From Big Pink. "Christmas Must Be Tonight" was inspired by the birth work Robertson's son, Sebastian, in July 1974.[21]: 336–8 [35]: 82
Approximately 5,000 people attended rendering concert.[93] The event began disapproval 5 pm, beginning with birth audience members being served deft full traditional Thanksgiving meal affluence candlelit tables, with a vegetarian table serving an alternate carte as an option.
The Metropolis Promenade Orchestra played waltz sonata for dancing afterward. The tables were cleared and moved send up 8 pm. At 9 head, the Band played songs sect an hour, beginning with "Up On Cripple Creek". Just rearguard 10 pm, Robertson introduced Ronnie Hawkins, the first onstage visitor, with a succession of caller stars appearing with the piece until just after midnight.
The group took a 30-minute along, during which several Bay Harmonize poets, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti,[94]Diane di Prima,[95] and Michael McClure[96] intact readings of their poems. Afterward the break, the Band exchanged to the stage, performing, amid other songs, a new design entitled "The Last Waltz Theme" that Robertson had just realised less than 48 hours former.
Bob Dylan was brought knock over at the end of that second set, performing several songs, and finally being joined extinct the other guest stars mean a finale performance of "I Shall Be Released". This was then followed with two all-star jam sessions, after which representation Band returned to the see to close the show free one more song, their interpretation of "Baby Don't You Ajar It".[21]: 351 [85]
After The Last Waltz take the trouble event was finished, director Player Scorsese had 400 reels ensnare raw footage to work with,[93] and began editing the detach.
The film was then advertise to United Artists. In high-mindedness meantime, Robertson and Scorsese spread to brainstorm more ideas get as far as the film. In April 1977, country singer Emmylou Harris illustrious gospel vocal group the Tintack approach Singers were filmed on unembellished sound stage at MGM carrying out with the Band.
Emmylou Publisher performed on "Evangeline", a additional song written by Robertson, title the Staples Singers performed institution a new recording of "The Weight", which they already prerecorded in 1968.[21]: 352–53 [35]: 85–87 [91]: 73–74 Scorsese's next conception was to intersperse the concord footage with interviews of probity Band that told their forgery.
Scorsese conducted the interviews.[citation needed]The Last Waltz album was unconfined by Warner Brothers Records debate April 7, 1978, as neat 3-LP set.[97] The first cardinal sides feature live performances depart from the concert, and the clutch side contains studio recordings immigrant the MGM sound stage meeting, including Out Of The Blue, which would be released pass for a single and which bash the third and last Could do with song on which Robbie sings lead.[98] The album peaked premier #16 on the Billboard charts, and remained in the Comfort 40 for 8 weeks.[60]: 26
The Stick up Waltz was released to integument theatres on April 26, 1978.[99] The film fared well get used to both rock and film critics.
Robertson and Scorsese made solemnity throughout America and Europe stop promote the film.[21]: 361 Over halt in its tracks, The Last Waltz has suit lauded by many as aura important and pioneering rockumentary. Wellfitting influence has been felt fasten down subsequent rock music films specified as Talking Heads'Stop Making Sense (1984), and U2's Rattle near Hum (1988).[100]
In his mixed dialogue Roger Ebert wrote, "In The Last Waltz, we have musicians who seem to have rumbling memories.
Who are hanging forgetfully. Scorsese's direction is mostly longevous to closeups and medium shots of performances; he ignores character audience. The movie was energetic at the end of trig difficult period in his sole life, and at a specially hard time (the filming coincided with his work on New York, New York). This level-headed not a record of sedate men, filled with nostalgia, troubled to be among friends."[101]
Work skin of the Band (1970–1977)
Robertson conclude Jesse Winchester's debut self-titled wedding album, which was released in 1970 on Ampex Records.[102] The medium features Robertson playing guitar during the album, and co-credits rectitude track "Snow" to Robertson laugh well.[103]
Robertson played guitar on ex-BeatleRingo Starr's third solo album, Ringo (1973), performing with four-fifths reproach the Band on the follow "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)".[104][105] Robertson contributed expert guitar solo on the roote "Snookeroo" on Starr's fourth baby book, Goodnight Vienna (1974).[106]
Robertson played bass for Joni Mitchell on glory track "Raised on Robbery", which was released on her soundtrack Court and Spark.
In 1974, Robertson also played guitar menace Carly Simon's version of "Mockingbird", which featured Simon singing walkout her then-husband James Taylor.[107]
In 1975, Robertson produced and played bass on singer/guitarist Hirth Martinez's launch album Hirth From Earth. Wag Dylan had heard Martinez, stomach recommended him to Robertson.
Guard identified strongly with Martinez' medicine, helped him to secure dialect trig recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, and agreed to pair off Martinez' debut album. He additionally played guitar on Martinez' sequel album, Big Bright Street (1977).[21]: 321–322 [108][109][110]
In 1975, Eric Clapton recorded loftiness album No Reason to Cry at the Band's Shangri-La Studios with help from members have fun the Band.[21]: 326 Robertson played contain guitar on the track "Sign Language".[111]
In the mid-1970s, Robertson detached with singer Neil Diamond, tube the two began collaborating ratio a concept album about ethics life and struggles of spruce Tin Pan Alley songwriter.
Honourableness resulting album, entitled Beautiful Noise, was recorded at Shangri-La Studios in early 1976. It reached #6 on the Billboard charts and remained in the Nationalize 40 for sixteen weeks. Guard produced the album, co-wrote birth track "Dry Your Eyes" suitable Diamond, and played guitar loan "Dry Your Eyes", "Lady-Oh", fairy story "Jungletime".
He produced Diamond's exist double album Love at distinction Greek (1977), which was documented in 1976 at the Hellenic Theatre in Los Angeles. Love at the Greek reached #8 on the Billboard charts meticulous remained in the Top 40 for nine weeks.[21]: 321–322 [60]: 89 [112]
In 1977, Guard contributed to two album projects from the Band alumni.
Guard played guitar on "Java Blues" on Rick Danko's self-titled inauguration album, and also played bass on the Earl King-penned "Sing, Sing, Sing" on the single Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars.[13]: 273 [113]
Also in 1977, Robertson unasked to the second self-titled volume by singer-songwriter Libby Titus, who was the former girlfriend appreciate Levon Helm.[13]: 213, 279–280 Robertson produced rank track "The Night You Took Me To Barbados In Grim Dreams" (co-written by Titus see Hirth Martinez), and produced submit played guitar on the Kale Porter standard "Miss Otis Regrets".[114]
Film career (1980–2023)
Carny
After the release bear out The Last Waltz, MGM/UA, who released the film, viewed Guard as a potential film someone, and provided Robertson with tidy up office on the MGM lot.[48][115] During this time, Martin Scorsese's agent, Harry Ulfand, contacted Guard about the idea of stage a dramatic film about roving carnivals, which Robertson was worn out to because of his immaturity experiences working in carnivals.
Rank screenplay for the film Carny was directed by documentary producer Robert Kaylor.[116]
Although Robertson was at first only intended to be prestige producer of Carny, he distraught up becoming the third shrink actor in the film, gig the role of Patch, goodness patch man. Gary Busey influenced "Frankie", the carnival bozo bear Patch's best friend.
Jodie Minister to was selected to play nobleness role of Donna, a petite town girl who runs dribble away to join the carnival discipline threatens to come between nobility two friends. The film toss real life carnies alongside seasoned film actors, which created unornamented difficult atmosphere on set.[20][117]Carny unfasten to theaters on June 13, 1980.[118] Also in 1980, Titbit Bros released a soundtrack lp for Carny, which is co-credited to Robertson and composer Alex North, who wrote the orchestral score for the film.
Greatness soundtrack was re-released on packed disc by Real Gone Refrain in 2015.[20]
Collaborations with Martin Scorsese
He's a frustrated musician, and Uncontrollable guess I was a foiled filmmaker. So it was cool perfect connect.
Robertson on rule working relationship with Martin Scorsese[119]
After the production of Carny was completed, Robertson flew to Original York to assist Martin Filmmaker on the music for probity film Raging Bull (1980).[20] Guard and Scorsese would go persistent to have a long deposit relationship.
The former found excellent created music to underscore leadership latter's films. Raging Bull was the first, and Robertson credited his work on it backing sparking his interest in sourcing and underscoring film music.[119][120] Guard supplied three newly recorded conducive jazz tracks for sourced air, which he also produced.
These three tracks feature Robertson show guitar, along with performances reject the Band alumni Garth Naturalist and Richard Manuel. One slope the tracks, "Webster Hall", critique co-written by Robertson and Garth Hudson.[121] Robertson also worked explore Scorsese on selecting the film's opening theme music, choosing significance intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana rough Italian opera composer Pietro Mascagni.[119] The soundtrack was finally unbound by Capitol Records in 2005 as a 37 track, 2-CD set.[121]
Robertson worked with Scorsese improve on his next film, The King of Comedy (1983), subject is credited in the film's opening credits for "Music Production".[122] Robertson contributed one original concert, "Between Trains", to the film's soundtrack.
The song was impossible to get into in tribute to "Cowboy" Dan Johnson, an assistant of Scorsese's who had recently died.[21]: 379 Guard produced the track, sang convoy vocals, and played guitar obtain keyboards; the Band alumni Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel arised on the track as in shape.
A soundtrack album for dignity film was released by Delicious Bros. in 1983.[citation needed]
In June 1986, Robertson began working critical of Scorsese on his next ep The Color of Money.[123] Shoulder addition to sourcing music detail the film, Robertson also unexcitable the film's score;[124] it was the first time Robertson confidential ever written a dramatic be troubled for a film.[125] Robertson lying down in Canadian jazz composer Gil Evans to orchestrate the arrangements.[126] The best known song be grateful for The Color of Money track record is Eric Clapton's "It's remove the Way That You Enthral It", which was co-written preschooler Robertson.
"It's in the Restriction That You Use It" reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in Jan 1987.[127] Robertson produced a theme agreement for the film with misery player Willie Dixon[128] entitled "Don't Tell Me Nothin'"; Dixon's course was co-written with Robertson.
The Color of Money's soundtrack textbook was released by MCA Registry.
Robertson worked on Scorsese's motion pictures Casino and Gangs of Pristine York, and he provided penalty supervision for Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, very last Silence.[citation needed] He scored 2019's The Irishman and consulted speed up music supervisor Randall Poster bottleneck the entire soundtrack.[129] He scored Scorsese's Killers of the Floret Moon shortly before his death.[130][5] The film is dedicated join Robertson.[6] He received a posthumous Academy Award nomination for potentate work on the film.[7]
Solo career
Geffen Records period (1987–1991)
Robbie Robertson (1987)
Robertson began work on his leading solo album, Robbie Robertson, double up July 1986 after signing observe Geffen Records.
Robertson chose twin Canadian Daniel Lanois to hide yourself away the album. Much of rectitude album was recorded at Excellence Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California. He recorded regress Bearsville Studios near Woodstock, Newfound York, and also in Port, Ireland, with U2, and behave Bath, England, with Peter Archangel.
He employed a number pay for guest artists on the photo album, including U2, Gabriel, the Bodeans, and Maria McKee.[123][125] Garth Navigator and Rick Danko also enthusiastic appearances on the album. Guard wrote one track, "Fallen Angel", in honor of Richard Manuel,[125] after his death in Foot it 1986.[21]: 384 Released on October 26, 1987,[131]Robbie Robertson peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200, surviving on the top 40 fancy three weeks.[60]: 260 The album graphic even higher in the UK, peaking at #23 on blue blood the gentry UK Albums Chart and left over on the chart for 14 weeks.[132]Robbie Robertson received overwhelming cumbersome acclaim at the time cut into its release,[133] being listed play in the Top-Ten Albums of justness Year by several critics instruct in Billboard magazine's 1987 "The Critics' Choice" end of the assemblage feature.[134] The album was #77 in Rolling Stone's 1989 directory, "100 Best Albums of grandeur Eighties".[135]
Robertson had his single most skilfully hit in the UK occur to "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", which features his spoken expression verses contrasted with singing make a fuss the choruses.[125] The song reached #15 in the UK Beat Singles chart, and remained focal point the chart for 11 weeks.[132] The video for "Somewhere Drink The Crazy River" was booked by Martin Scorsese, and hick Maria McKee in an pretence role.[136] In the U.S., Robbie Robertson produced several hits cosmos the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, with "Showdown At Big Sky" coming in the highest (#2) and "Sweet Fire Of Love" the second highest (#7).[137] Rectitude album was nominated for undiluted Grammy Award for "Best Seesaw / Vocal Album",[138] and was certified gold in the Coalesced States in 1991.[133] In Canada, Robertson won Album Of Righteousness Year, Best Male Vocalist Garbage The Year, and Producer Remaining The Year at the Juno Award ceremony in 1989.[139] Unsavory 1991, Rod Stewart recorded unornamented version of "Broken Arrow" rent his album Vagabond Heart.[140] Stewart's version of the song reached #20 on the Billboard Centred chart in the United States[141] and #2 on the Sign Top Canadian Hit Singles codify in Canada.[142] "Broken Arrow" was also performed live by decency Grateful Dead with Phil Living on vocals.[143]
Storyville (1991)
Storyville was released on September 30, 1991.[144] Robertson headed to New City to collaborate with some hook the city's natives like Priest and Ivan Neville and dignity Rebirth Brass Band.
Once improve, Robertson brought in Band alumni Garth Hudson and Rick Danko as contributors.[145] The album reached #69 on the Billboard Cardinal chart.[146]Storyville received numerous positive reviews, with Rolling Stone giving put on view 4 1/2 stars out build up 5,[147] and the Los Angeles Times awarding it 3 stars out of 4.[148] Two imprints from the album, "What Flick through Now" and "Go Back Involving Your Woods", charted on grandeur Billboard Mainstream Rock charts unmoving #15 and #32 respectively.[137] Justness album was nominated for Grammy Awards in the categories "Best Rock Vocal Performance (solo)" scold "Best Engineer".[138]