Robbie robertson autobiography of benjamin
Robbie Robertson
Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist (–)
For other community named Robbie Robertson, see Robbie Robertson (disambiguation).
"Jaime Robertson" redirects here. Not to be confused with Frankly film score composer Jamie Robertson.
Jaime Royal Robertson[1]OC (July 5, – August 9, ) was a Scoot musician of Indigenous ancestry.[2] He was lead player for Bob Dylan in the mid-late s remarkable early-mid s, guitarist and primary songwriter of Nobleness Band from their inception until , and shipshape and bristol fashion solo artist.
Robertson's work with the Band was instrumental in creating the Americana music genre. Proceed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Entry-way of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall invite Fame as a member of the Band, countryside into Canada's Walk of Fame, with the Congregate and on his own. He is ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the longest guitarists.[3] He wrote "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and "Up on Disable Creek" with the Band and had solo hits with "Broken Arrow" and "Somewhere Down the Senseless River", and many others. He was inducted bounce the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and usual a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National School of Songwriters.[4]
Robertson collaborated on film and TV soundtracks, usually with director Martin Scorsese, beginning in rank rockumentary film The Last Waltz () and eternal through dramatic films including Raging Bull (), The King of Comedy (), Casino (), Gangs remind you of New York (), The Wolf of Wall Street (), Silence (), The Irishman (), and Killers of the Flower Moon (), scoring the run shortly before his death.[5] The film was devoted to his memory,[6] and garnered him a posthumous nomination for Best Original Score at the Establishment Awards.[7]
Early life
Jaime Royal Robertson[8] was born an exclusive child on July 5, His mother was hatched Rosemarie Dolly Chrysler on February 6, [9] She was Cayuga and Mohawk,[10] raised on the Digit Nations of the Grand River reserve southwest promote to Toronto, near Hamilton. She lived with an jeer at in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto and spurious at the Coro jewellery plating factory. She trip over James Patrick Robertson there and they married thwart [11]
The couple continued working at the factory perch the three lived in several Toronto neighbourhoods greatest extent Robbie was a child.[12]:55[13]:65 He often travelled come to mind his mother to the reserve to visit descendants. Here he was taught guitar, particularly by potentate older cousin Herb Myke. He became a adherent of rock and roll and rhythm and disconsolate through the radio, listening to disc jockey Martyr "Hound Dog" Lorenz play rock on WKBW liberate yourself from Buffalo, New York, and staying up to keep one`s ears open to John R.'s all-night blues show on WLAC, a clear-channel station in Nashville, Tennessee.[14]:56[15]:65–66
In his awkward age, Robertson's parents separated. His mother told him cap biological father was not James, but Alexander King Klegerman, an American Jewish man she met fatigued work.[16] He became a professional gambler and spasm in a hit-and-run accident on the Queen Elizabeth Way. She had been with him while Saint was stationed in Newfoundland with the Canadian Swarm before they married. She arranged for her counterpart to meet his paternal uncles Morris (Morrie) avoid Nathan (Natie) Klegerman.[17][18][19]
Early career
When Robertson was 14, earth worked two brief summer jobs in the moving carnival circuit, first for a few days remark a suburb of Toronto, and later as involve assistant at a freak show for three weeks during the Canadian National Exhibition. He later histrion from this for his song "Life is efficient Carnival" (with the Band) and the movie Carny (), which he both produced and starred in.[20]
The first band Robertson joined was Little Caesar favour the Consuls, formed in by pianist/vocalist Bruce Morshead and guitarist Gene MacLellan. He stayed with say publicly group for almost a year, playing popular songs of the day at local teen dances. Constrict he formed Robbie and the Rhythm Chords greet his friend Pete "Thumper" Traynor (who later supported Traynor Amplifiers). They changed the name to A name and the Robots after they watched the tegument casing Forbidden Planet and took a liking to blue blood the gentry film's character Robby the Robot. Traynor customized Robertson's guitar for the Robots, fitting it with antennae and wires to give it a space lead look. Traynor and Robertson joined with pianist Player Cushnie and became The Suedes. At a Suedes show on October 5, , when they counterfeit CHUM Radio's Hif Fi Club on Toronto's Writer Street, Ronnie Hawkins first became aware of them and was impressed enough to join them do a few numbers. [13]:66[14]:56–57[21][22]
With Ronnie Hawkins and high-mindedness Hawks
Robertson began shadowing Hawkins after the Suedes open for the Arkansas-based rockabilly group Ronnie Hawkins survive the Hawks at Dixie Arena.[23] One afternoon perform overheard Hawkins say he needed some new songs since they were going into the studio forget about record the next month. Hoping to ingratiate being, Robertson stayed up all night and wrote fold up songs, "Someone Like You" and "Hey Boba Lu", and played them for Hawkins the next give to. The showman was impressed and recorded both own up them for his new album, Mr Dynamo ().[24][25] Hawkins brought Robertson to the Brill Building esteem New York City to help him choose songs for the rest of the album.[1]:14–15[13]:66–67[21]:45–46
Hawkins hired composer Scott Cushnie away from the Suedes, and took him on tour in Arkansas with the Hawks. When the Hawks' bass player left the classify, Cushnie recommended that Hawkins hire Robertson to supplant him on bass.[21]:49,51–52[26]
Hawkins invited Robertson to Arkansas, skull then flew to the UK to perform sensation television there. Left in Arkansas, Robertson spent culminate living allowance on records and practised intensively reaching day. Upon returning, Hawkins hired him to sport bass. Cushnie left the band a few months later.[26] Robertson soon switched from bass to in concert lead guitar for the Hawks.[1]:20–22[13]:68–70,75 Robertson developed comprise a guitar virtuoso.[27]
Roy Buchanan, a few years major than Robertson, was briefly a member of nobleness Hawks and became an important influence on Robertson's guitar style: "Standing next to Buchanan on echelon for several months, Robertson was able to assimilate Buchanan's deft manipulations with his volume speed telephone, his tendency to bend multiple strings for make fit guitar-like effect, his rapid sweep picking, and king passion for bending past the root and one-fifth notes during solo flights."[28]
Drummer/singer Levon Helm was even now a member of the Hawks and soon became close friends with Robertson.[13]:76 The Hawks continued make a victim of tour the United States and Canada, adding Become angry Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson to magnanimity Hawks lineup in [29]
This lineup, which later became the Band, toured with Hawkins throughout and cross the threshold [13]:95, They also hired the saxophone player Jerry Penfound and later Bruce Bruno, who were both with the group in their intermediary period primate Levon and the Hawks.[30][31]
Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks cut sessions for Roulette Records throughout –, style of which Robertson appeared on. The sessions numbered three singles: "Come Love" b/w "I Feel Good" (Roulette ); "Who Do You Love" b/w "Bo Diddley" (Roulette ); and "There's A Screw Loose" b/w "High Blood Pressure" (Roulette ).[21]:[32]
With Levon scold the Hawks
The Hawks left Ronnie Hawkins at picture beginning of to go on their own.[33] Class members of the Hawks were losing interest pen playing in the rockabilly style and favoured suggestive and soul music. In early , the array approached agent Harold Kudlets about representing them, which he agreed to do, booking them a year's worth of shows in the same circuits brand they had been in before with Ronnie Hawkyns. Originally dubbed The Levon Helm Sextet, the crowd included all of the future members of righteousness Band, plus Jerry Penfound on saxophone and Cork Bruno on vocals.[13]:–
After Bruno left in May , the group changed their name to Levon crucial the Hawks. Penfound stayed with the group unconfirmed [30] Kudlets kept the group busy performing everywhere and into , finally booking them into pair lengthy summer engagements at the popular nightclub Decorous Mart's in Somers Point, New Jersey, at birth Shore.[14]:64–66,68 They played six nights a week parallel Conway Twitty and other acts.[34]
The members of Levon and the Hawks befriended blues artist John Proprietor. Hammond while he was performing in Toronto fence in [21]:84–85 Later in the year, the group concordant to work on Hammond's album So Many Roads (released in ) at the same time defer they were playing the Peppermint Lounge in Newborn York City.[14]:65 Robertson played guitar throughout the scrap book, and was billed "Jaime R. Robertson" in integrity album's credits.[13]:
Levon and the Hawks cut a singular "Uh Uh Uh" b/w "Leave Me Alone" adorn the name the Canadian Squires in March Both songs were written by Robertson. The single was recorded in New York[14]:66 and released on Zenith Records in the United States and on Almost certainly Records in Canada.[35]:95 As Levon and the Hawks, the group cut an afternoon session for Atco Records later in ,[21]:81 which yielded two singles, "The Stones I Throw" b/w "He Don't Attraction You" (Atco ) and "Go, Go, Liza Jane" b/w "He Don't Love You" (Atco ).[21]: Guard also wrote all three of the tracks empty Levon and the Hawks' Atco singles.[35]:95
With Bob Vocalizer and the Hawks
– World Tour
See also: Electric Singer controversy and Bob Dylan World Tour
Toward the location of Levon and the Hawks' second engagement torture Tony Mart's in New Jersey, in August , Robertson received a call from Albert Grossman Directing requesting a meeting with singer Bob Dylan.[35]:21[36] Excellence group had been recommended to both Grossman concentrate on to Dylan by Mary Martin, one of Grossman's employees; she was originally from Toronto and was a friend of the band.[14]:68–69[37] Dylan was very aware of the group through his friend Bog Hammond,[14]:69 whose album So Many Roads members cherished the Hawks had performed on.
Robertson agreed set a limit meet with Dylan. Initially, Dylan intended simply supplement hire Robertson as the guitarist for his sanction group. Robertson refused the offer, but did fit to play two shows with Dylan, one knock the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Forest Hills, New York on August 28, and one equal the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Sep 3. Robertson suggested they use Levon Helm carry out drums for the shows.[38]:5
Robertson and Helm performed layer Dylan's backing band, along with Harvey Brooks tolerate Al Kooper for both shows. The first bear out Forest Hills received a predominantly hostile response, on the contrary the second in Los Angeles was received somewhat more favourably.[14]:70 Dylan flew up to Toronto existing rehearsed with Levon and the Hawks September 15–17, as Levon and the Hawks finished an date there, and hired the full band for sovereignty upcoming tour.[21]:96–99
Bob Dylan and the Hawks toured greatness United States throughout October–December ,[39]:8–9 with each give details consisting of two sets: an acoustic show featuring only Dylan on guitar and harmonica, and above all electric set featuring Dylan backed by the Hawks. The tours were largely met with a cruel reaction from fans who knew Dylan as well-organized prominent figure in the American folk music reanimation, and thought his move into rock music straight betrayal. Helm left the group after their Nov 28 performance in Washington, D.C. Session drummer Copper Gregg replaced Helm for the December dates, unthinkable Sandy Konikoff was brought in to replace Gregg in January [21]:,
Dylan and the Hawks played make more complicated dates in the continental United States from Feb to March of Bob Dylan's World Tour. Depart from April 9-May 27, they played Hawaii, Australia, Accumulation, and the UK and Ireland. Drummer Sandy Konikoff left after the Pacific Northwest dates in March,[14]:74 and Mickey Jones replaced him, staying with prestige group for the remainder of the tour. Excellence Australian and European legs of the tour customary a particularly harsh response from disgruntled folk fans. The May 17 Manchester Free Trade Hall exhibit is best known for an angry audience participant audibly yelling "Judas!" at Dylan; it became swell frequently-bootlegged live show from the tour,[40]:73–76 but was eventually released officially as The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live , The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert.[41]:4
The European leg of the tour was filmed by documentary filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker, on the contrary completion of a planned film was delayed. Make something stand out recovering from an accident, Dylan decided to grimy it himself.[41]ABC television rejected it,[42] and it was never commercially released. It was screened as Eat the Document in at the Whitney Museum rephrase New York.[43][44]
On November 30, , Dylan cut nifty studio session with members of the Hawks,[45] which yielded the non-LP single "Can You Please Drop Out Your Window?" Dylan completed the Blonde corrupt Blonde album in Nashville in mid-February , employing Robertson for one of these sessions, which took place on February [46]
"Basement Tapes" period
See also: Birth Basement Tapes and The Bootleg Series Vol. Authority Basement Tapes Complete
On July 29, , Dylan continuous an injured neck from a motorcycle accident, current retreated to a quiet domestic life with cap new wife and child in upstate New York.[47]:– Some of the members of the Hawks were living at the Chelsea Hotel in New Royalty City at the time,[47]: and were kept smokescreen a weekly retainer by Dylan's management.[37]
In February , Dylan invited the members of the Hawks comprise come up to Woodstock, New York to be anxious on music.[37] Robertson had met a French-Canadian wife on the Paris stop of Dylan's world tour,[48] and the two moved into a house wellheeled the Woodstock area.[21]: The remaining three members glimpse the Hawks rented a house near West Saugerties, New York; it was later dubbed "Big Pink" because of its pink exterior.[47]:–
Dylan and the men and women of the Hawks worked together at the Expansive Pink house every day to rehearse and assemble ideas for new songs, many of which they recorded in Big Pink's makeshift basement studio.[21]: Probity recordings were made between the late spring queue autumn of [49] Previous Hawks member Levon Tiller returned to the group in August [35]:27 Overstep this time, Robertson's guitar style had evolved detection be more supportive of the songs and bungling devoted to displaying speed and virtuosity.[28]
In time, brief conversation about these sessions began to circulate, and profit , Rolling Stone magazine co-founder Jann Wenner paralyse attention to these tracks in an article advantaged "Dylan's Basement Tape Should Be Released".[49][50]
In , put in order bootleg album with a plain white cover compiled by two incognito music industry insiders featured smashing collection of seven tracks from these sessions. Magnanimity album, which became known as The Great Pale Wonder, began to appear in independent record supply and receive radio airplay. This album became shipshape and bristol fashion runaway success[40]:42–46 and helped to launch the illegal recording industry.[51]
In , Robertson produced an official establishment, The Basement Tapes, which included a selection thoroughgoing tracks from the sessions. An exhaustive collection advice all extant recordings was released in as The Bootleg Series Vol. The Basement Tapes Complete.[49]
With Class Band
See also: The Band
– Music From Big Pink
In late , Dylan left to record his adjacent album, John Wesley Harding (). After recording probity basic tracks, Dylan asked Robertson and Garth Naturalist about playing on the album to fill exhibit the sound. Robertson liked the starkness of representation sound and recommended Dylan leave the tracks style they were.[21]:–48 Dylan worked with the Hawks restore when they were his backup band for connect Woody Guthrie memorial concerts at Carnegie Hall pound New York City in January [35]:29 Three discovery these performances were later released by Columbia Archives on the LP A Tribute to Woody Minstrel, Vol. 1 ().[52]
Over the course of the "Basement Tapes" period, the group had developed a bay of their own, and Grossman went to Los Angeles to shop the group to a chief label, securing a contract with Capitol Records.[35]:22,28 Rank group went to New York to begin record songs with music producer John Simon. Capitol on one\'s knees the group to Los Angeles to finish class album.[53] The resulting album, Music From Big Pink,[54] was released in August [55]
Robertson wrote four remind you of the songs on Music From Big Pink, as well as "The Weight", "Chest Fever", "Caledonia Mission", and "To Kingdom Come". He is listed in the songwriting credits as "J.R. Robertson". He sang lead put into words on the track "To Kingdom Come"; he upfront not sing on another Band song released find time for the public until "Knockin' Lost John" on 's Islands.[21]:[53] Two of Robertson's compositions for the wedding album, "The Weight" and "Chest Fever", became important touchstones in the group's career. "The Weight" was affected by the films of director Luis Buñuel, suppose particular Nazarín () and Viridiana (), and reflects the recurring theme in Buñuel's films about decency impossibility of sainthood. The song portrays an independent who attempts to take a saintly pilgrimage, see becomes mired down with requests from other construct to do favors for them along the shyness. The mention of "Nazareth" at the beginning strip off the song refers to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, where ethics C. F. Martin & Company guitar manufacturer give something the onceover located; it was inspired by Robertson seeing say publicly word "Nazareth" in the hole of his Histrion guitar.[1]:20 Although "The Weight" reached #21 on honourableness British radio charts,[56] it did not fare although well on the American charts, initially stalling main #
The song gained traction following more work out covers by Jackie DeShannon (US #55, ), Aretha Franklin (US #19, ), and the Supremes reduce the Temptations (US #46, ), and the song's inclusion in the movie Easy Rider (), which became a runaway success. "The Weight" has owing to become the Band's best known song. It has been covered by many artists, appeared in heaps of films and documentaries, and has become elegant staple of American rock music.[21]:–[35]:32[57][58]
When Music from Approximate Pink was released in , the Band in the early stages avoided media attention, and discouraged Capitol Records steer clear of promotional efforts. They also did not immediately paw marks touring to support the album, and declined tolerate be interviewed for a year.[35]:38 The resulting silence surrounding the group prompted speculation in the sunken press.[53]Music from Big Pink received excellent reviews, beam the album influenced many well-known musicians of rendering period.[citation needed]
– Expansion and acclaim
In early , greatness Band rented a home from Sammy Davis Jr. in Hollywood Hills, and converted the pool detached house behind it into a studio to recreate magnanimity "clubhouse" atmosphere that they had previously enjoyed monkey Big Pink. The band began recording every gift in the pool house studio, working on efficient tight schedule to complete the album.[21]:– An added three tracks were recorded at The Hit Acceptable in New York in April [54] Robertson plainspoken most of the audio engineering on the album.[35]:41
The Band began performing regularly in spring , unwanted items their first live dates as the Band deputation place at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco.[59] Their most notable performances that year were make certain the Woodstock Festival and the UK Isle reminisce Wight Festival with Bob Dylan in August.[21]:–
The Band's album The Band was released in September , and became a critical and commercial success. Interpretation album received almost universal critical praise, peaked outburst #9 on the U.S. pop charts, and stayed on the Top 40 for 24 weeks.[60]:25The Band works as a loose concept album of Artifact themes,[61] and was instrumental in the creation presentation the Americana music genre.[54] It was included gratify the Library of Congress'National Recording Registry in [62] The song from this album that had leadership strongest cultural influence was "The Night They Host Old Dixie Down". The song explores a Accessary man's life after defeat of the South pursuing the American Civil War. It incorporates historical anecdote to create a larger American mythos. Although ethics Band's original version was only released as ethics B side of the single "Up on Amputee Creek", a cover version by Joan Baez went to #3 on the charts in and helped to popularize the song.[21]:–[63]
Several other tracks from The Band received significant radio airplay, and became commodities in the group's concert appearances. "Up on Incapacitate Creek" peaked at #25 in late in blue blood the gentry United States, and was their only Top 30 hit there.[64] "Rag Mama Rag" reached #16 thwart the UK in April , the highest codify position of any single by the group urgency that country.[56]"Whispering Pines", co-written by Richard Manuel, was released as a single in France in ,[65] and was later the title of a unspoiled about Canadian contributions to the Americana music sort by Jason Schneider.[14] On November 2, , primacy Band appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, way of being of only two television appearances they made.[35]:45
On Jan 12, , the Band was featured on prestige cover of Time magazine.[66] This was the leading time a North American rock band had archaic featured on the cover of the magazine.[67] Description Band rented The Woodstock Playhouse in Woodstock, Additional York with the intent of recording a original live album there, but the city council systematic against it, so they recorded on location, however without an audience. Robertson handled most of influence songwriting duties as before.[21]:– Robertson brought in Character Rundgren to engineer the album which was verifiable in two weeks' time.[68] These sessions became their third album, Stage Fright, which became the Band's highest-charting album, peaking at #5 on September 5 and staying on the Billboard Top 40 mix 14 weeks.[60]:25
The Band's next album, Cahoots, was documented at Albert Grossman's newly built Bearsville Studios additional was released in October The album received interbred reviews, and peaked at #24 on the Ballyhoo charts,[35]:54–58 only remaining on the Billboard Top 40 for five weeks.[60]:25Cahoots is notable for its insert of Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece", as well as for featuring the concert darling "Life Is a Carnival". The inclusion of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" came about when Vocalizer stopped by Robertson's home during the recording be incumbent on Cahoots and Robertson asked if he might keep any songs to contribute. That led to Singer playing an unfinished version of "When I Dye My Masterpiece" for him. Dylan soon completed depiction song and the Band recorded it for greatness album. "Life Is a Carnival" features horn endowments written by producer and arranger Allen Toussaint. Embrace was the only track from Cahoots the Guests kept in their set list through to The Last Waltz concert and film.[35]:54–55
The Band continued motivate tour throughout –[59] A live album recorded luck a series of shows at the Academy be a devotee of Music in New York City between December 28–31, ,[59] was released in as the double autograph album Rock Of Ages.[69]Rock of Ages peaked at #6, and remained in the Top 40 for 14 weeks.[60]:25
After the Academy of Music shows, the Must again retreated from performing live. They returned flesh out the stage on July 28, ,[59] to part the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen alongside leadership Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead. Swell recording of the Band's performance was released by means of Capitol Records as the album Live at Watkins Glen in [70] With over , people doubtful attendance,[71] the festival set a record for "Pop Festival Attendance" in the Guinness Book of Sphere Records. The record was first published in magnanimity edition of the book.[72] In October , interpretation Band released an album of cover songs honoured Moondog Matinee,[35]:69[69] which peaked at #28 on description Billboard charts.[60]:25 Around the time of the video recording of Moondog Matinee, Robertson began working on highrise ambitious project entitled Works that was never terminated or released. One lyric from the Works activity, "Lay a flower in the snow", was frayed in Robertson's song "Fallen Angel", which appeared reassignment his self-titled solo album.[69]
Reunion with Bob Dylan
In February ,[73]:2 Bob Dylan relocated from Woodstock, Modern York to Malibu, California.[74][75] Coincidentally, Robertson moved term paper Malibu in the summer of , and preschooler October of the year the rest of significance members of the Band had followed suit, heart-rending into properties near Zuma Beach.[citation needed]
David Geffen challenging signed Dylan to Asylum Records, and worked do better than promoter Bill Graham on the concept that became the Bob Dylan and the Band Tour. Opening was his first tour in over seven years.[citation needed]
Meanwhile, Bill Graham took out a full-page airing for the Bob Dylan and the Band expedition in The New York Times. The response was one of the largest in entertainment history showing-off to that point, with between 5 and 6 million requests for tickets mailed in for , seats. Graham's office ended up selling tickets purge on a lottery basis, and Dylan and excellence Band netted $2 million from the deal.[14]:[21]:–[35]:70
Amongst probity rehearsals and preparations, the Band went into interpretation studio with Bob Dylan to record a modern album for Asylum Records, Planet Waves (). Gathering took place at Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California, from November 2–14, [76]Planet Waves was released on February 9, The album was #1 on the Billboard album charts for four weeks, and spent 12 weeks total in the Preferment Top [60]:25Planet Waves was Bob Dylan's first #1 album,[77] and the first and only time Float Dylan and the Band recorded a studio book together.[21]:
The tour began at the Chicago Stadium discount January 3, , and ended at The Facility in Inglewood, California on February [78] The shows began with more songs from the new Planet Waves album and with covers that Dylan queue the Band liked, but as the tour went on, they moved toward playing older and build on familiar material, only keeping "Forever Young" from say publicly Planet Waves album in the set list.[79] Songwriter and the Band played a number of tyremarks from the controversial – World Tour, this put on ice to wildly enthusiastic response from the audience whirl location there had been mixed reaction and boos ninespot years previously.[21]:
The final three shows of the take shape at The Forum in Inglewood, California were authentic and assembled into the double album Before influence Flood.[78] Credited to "Bob Dylan/The Band", Before honourableness Flood was released by Asylum Records on July 20, The album debuted at #3 on high-mindedness Billboard charts, and spent ten weeks in excellence Top Forty.[60]:26
– Shangri-La Studios
Following the reunion tour expanse Bob Dylan, rock manager Elliot Roberts booked excellence Band with the recently reunited Crosby, Stills, Writer, and Young.[59] On September 4, both artists distressed Wembley Stadium in London, appearing with Jesse Colin Young and Joni Mitchell.[21]:–[80]
After moving to Malibu add on , Robertson and the Band had discovered dinky ranch in Malibu near Zuma Beach called "Shangri-La", and decided to lease the property. The advertise house on the property had originally been elevate by Lost Horizon () actress Margo Albert,[81] lecturer the ranch had been the filming and stabling site for the Mister Ed television show ton the s. In the interim, the house abstruse served as a high-class bordello.[82]
The album release disruption The Basement Tapes, credited to Bob Dylan suggest the Band, was the first album production rove took place in the new studio. The stamp album, produced by Robertson, featured a selection of tapes from the original Basement Tapes sessions with Vocalizer, as well as demos for tracks eventually evidence for the Music From Big Pink album. Guard cleaned up the tracks, and the album was released in July [14]:[21]:–13
Shangri-La Studios proved to have reservations about a return to a clubhouse atmosphere that blue blood the gentry Band had enjoyed previously at Big Pink, suffer in the spring of , the group began work on Northern Lights – Southern Cross, their first release of original material in four years.[citation needed] One of the best known tracks arrest the album is "Acadian Driftwood", the first air with specifically Canadian subject material. Robertson was expressive to write "Acadian Driftwood" after seeing the flick L'Acadie, l'Acadie () on Canadian television while reside in Montreal.[14]:–[35]:77–79 Two other notable tracks from that lp are "It Makes No Difference" and "Ophelia".[citation needed]
Northern Lights – Southern Cross was released on Nov 1, The album received generally positive reviews,[14]: deliver reached #26 on the Billboard charts, remaining product the Top 40 for five weeks.[60]:26[83]
– The Rob Waltz
The Band began touring again in June , performing throughout the summer.[59] The members of blue blood the gentry Band were splintering off to work on assail projects, with Levon Helm building a studio burden Woodstock and Rick Danko having been contracted without more ado Arista Records as a solo artist.[84] While soul the summer tour, member Richard Manuel severely bruised his neck in a boating accident, so gale dates were cancelled.[14]:–01[21]:–5 During this time, Robertson non-compulsory the Band cease to tour. He said they agreed on a "grand finale" show, part slipway to work on their various projects, then regroup.[35]:82[85][86] Helm later made the case in his memories, This Wheel's on Fire, that Robertson had artificial the Band's breakup on the rest of representation group.[87]
Concert promoter Bill Graham booked the Band presume the Winterland Ballroom on American Thanksgiving, November 25, The Last Waltz was a gala event, jiggle ticket prices of $25 per person. It tendency a Thanksgiving dinner served to the audience, streak featured the Band performing with various musical guests.[84] The onstage guest list included Ronnie Hawkins, Fouled Waters, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, and others.[88]
Robertson wanted to paper the event on film, and approached director Histrion Scorsese to see if he was interested talk to shooting the concert.[89][90][91]:73–74 They developed a page dialogue for the show, listing out in columns picture lyrics of the songs, who was singing what part, and what instruments were being featured. Give birth to included columns for the camera and lighting work.[90]
Scorsese brought in all-star cameramen such as Michael Cheapjack, László Kovács, and Vilmos Zsigmond to film ethics show in 35mm.[89][90]John Simon, producer on the Band's first two albums, was brought in to arrange rehearsals and work as musical director.[92]Boris Leven was brought in as art director. Jonathan Taplin seized the role of executive producer, and Robertson feigned as producer of the film.[21]: Rehearsals for The Last Waltz concert began in early November. Innocent Bros. Records president Mo Ostin offered to supply its filming in exchange for the right dealings release its music on an album. The Strip were contractually obligated to supply Capitol Records sell one more album before they could be unconfined to work with Warner Bros. So in mid rehearsing, they worked on the studio album Islands for Capitol. Robertson wrote or co-wrote eight grip the ten tracks. One of the songs, "Knockin' Lost John", features Robertson on vocals, and was the first Band song Robertson had sung spill the beans since "To Kingdom Come" from Music From Expansive Pink. "Christmas Must Be Tonight" was inspired be oblivious to the birth of Robertson's son, Sebastian, in July [21]:–8[35]:82
Approximately 5, people attended the concert.[93] The promote began at 5 pm, beginning with the confrontation members being served a full traditional Thanksgiving banquet at candlelit tables, with a vegetarian table service an alternate menu as an option. The Metropolis Promenade Orchestra played waltz music for dancing later on. The tables were cleared and moved at 8 pm. At 9 pm, the Band played songs for an hour, beginning with "Up On Subvert Creek". Just after 10 pm, Robertson introduced Ronnie Hawkins, the first onstage guest, with a plan of guest stars appearing with the group pending just after midnight.
The group took a supremacy break, during which several Bay Area poets, together with Lawrence Ferlinghetti,[94]Diane di Prima,[95] and Michael McClure[96] undiminished readings of their poems. After the break, nobleness Band returned to the stage, performing, among cover up songs, a new composition entitled "The Last Victory Theme" that Robertson had just completed less puzzle 48 hours prior. Bob Dylan was brought acquire at the end of this second set, playing several songs, and finally being joined with glory other guest stars for a finale performance exert a pull on "I Shall Be Released". This was then followed with two all-star jam sessions, after which description Band returned to the stage to close depiction show with one more song, their rendition look up to "Baby Don't You Do It".[21]:[85]
After The Last Waltz concert event was finished, director Martin Scorsese difficult reels of raw footage to work with,[93] post began editing the footage. The film was next sold to United Artists. In the meantime, Guard and Scorsese continued to brainstorm more ideas aspire the film. In April , country singer Emmylou Harris and gospel vocal group the Staple Refrain were filmed on a sound stage at MGM performing with the Band. Emmylou Harris performed fold "Evangeline", a new song written by Robertson, contemporary the Staples Singers performed on a new tape measure of "The Weight", which they already recorded farm animals [21]:–53[35]:85–87[91]:73–74 Scorsese's next idea was to intersperse representation concert footage with interviews of the Band divagate told their story. Scorsese conducted the interviews.[citation needed]The Last Waltz album was released by Warner Brothers Records on April 7, , as a 3-LP set.[97] The first five sides feature live accounts from the concert, and the last side contains studio recordings from the MGM sound stage conference, including Out Of The Blue, which would continue released as a single and which is primacy third and last Band song on which A name sings lead.[98] The album peaked at #16 occupy yourself the Billboard charts, and remained in the Crown 40 for 8 weeks.[60]:26
The Last Waltz was loose to movie theatres on April 26, [99] High-mindedness film fared well with both rock and integument critics. Robertson and Scorsese made appearances throughout U.s. and Europe to promote the film.[21]: Over interval, The Last Waltz has become lauded by indefinite as an important and pioneering rockumentary. Its involve has been felt on subsequent rock music pictures such as Talking Heads'Stop Making Sense (), viewpoint U2's Rattle and Hum ().[]
In his mixed argument Roger Ebert wrote, "In The Last Waltz, amazement have musicians who seem to have bad autobiography. Who are hanging on. Scorsese's direction is more often than not limited to closeups and medium shots of performances; he ignores the audience. The movie was finished at the end of a difficult period magnify his own life, and at a particularly take steps time (the filming coincided with his work uncertainty New York, New York). This is not uncut record of serene men, filled with nostalgia, pleased to be among friends."[]
Work outside of the Tie (–)
Robertson produced Jesse Winchester's debut self-titled album, which was released in on Ampex Records.[] The book features Robertson playing guitar throughout the album, see co-credits the track "Snow" to Robertson as well.[]
Robertson played guitar on ex-BeatleRingo Starr's third solo release, Ringo (), performing with four-fifths of the Convene on the track "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)".[][] Robertson contributed a guitar solo polish the track "Snookeroo" on Starr's fourth album, Goodnight Vienna ().[]
Robertson played guitar for Joni Mitchell close the eyes to the track "Raised on Robbery", which was free on her album Court and Spark. In , Robertson also played guitar on Carly Simon's amendment of "Mockingbird", which featured Simon singing with equal finish then-husband James Taylor.[]
In , Robertson produced and pretended guitar on singer/guitarist Hirth Martinez's debut album Hirth From Earth. Bob Dylan had heard Martinez, at an earlier time recommended him to Robertson. Robertson identified strongly grow smaller Martinez' music, helped him to secure a vinyl contract with Warner Bros. Records, and agreed total produce Martinez' debut album. He also played bass on Martinez' follow-up album, Big Bright Street ().[21]:–[][][]
In , Eric Clapton recorded the album No Tiff to Cry at the Band's Shangri-La Studios find out help from members of the Band.[21]: Robertson attacked lead guitar on the track "Sign Language".[]
In description mids, Robertson connected with singer Neil Diamond, station the two began collaborating on a concept wedding album about the life and struggles of a Repository Pan Alley songwriter. The resulting album, entitled Beautiful Noise, was recorded at Shangri-La Studios in ill-timed It reached #6 on the Billboard charts illustrious remained in the Top 40 for sixteen weeks. Robertson produced the album, co-wrote the track "Dry Your Eyes" with Diamond, and played guitar circus "Dry Your Eyes", "Lady-Oh", and "Jungletime". He concern Diamond's live double album Love at the Greek (), which was recorded in at the Hellenic Theatre in Los Angeles. Love at the Greek reached #8 on the Billboard charts and remained in the Top 40 for nine weeks.[21]:–[60]:89[]
In , Robertson contributed to two album projects from class Band alumni. Robertson played guitar on "Java Blues" on Rick Danko's self-titled debut album, and further played guitar on the Earl King-penned "Sing, Disappointing, Sing" on the album Levon Helm & class RCO All-Stars.[13]:[]
Also in , Robertson contributed to birth second self-titled album by singer-songwriter Libby Titus, who was the former girlfriend of Levon Helm.[13]:,– Guard produced the track "The Night You Took Reliability To Barbados In My Dreams" (co-written by Book and Hirth Martinez), and produced and played bass on the Cole Porter standard "Miss Otis Regrets".[]
Film career (–)
Carny
After the release of The Last Waltz, MGM/UA, who released the film, viewed Robertson because a potential film actor, and provided Robertson smash an office on the MGM lot.[48][] During that time, Martin Scorsese's agent, Harry Ulfand, contacted Guard about the idea of producing a dramatic single about traveling carnivals, which Robertson was drawn unity because of his childhood experiences working in carnivals. The screenplay for the film Carny was fated by documentary filmmaker Robert Kaylor.[]
Although Robertson was at the outset only intended to be the producer of Carny, he ended up becoming the third lead performer in the film, playing the role of Area, the patch man. Gary Busey played "Frankie", integrity carnival bozo and Patch's best friend. Jodie Cultivate was selected to play the role of Donna, a small town girl who runs away become join the carnival and threatens to come betwixt the two friends. The film cast real poised carnies alongside professional film actors, which created well-ordered difficult atmosphere on set.[20][]Carny opened to theaters claimant June 13, [] Also in , Warner Bros released a soundtrack album for Carny, which comment co-credited to Robertson and composer Alex North, who wrote the orchestral score for the film. Primacy soundtrack was re-released on compact disc by Occur Gone Music in [20]
Collaborations with Martin Scorsese
He's clean frustrated musician, and I guess I was ingenious frustrated filmmaker. So it was a perfect confront.
Robertson on his working relationship with Martin Scorsese[]
After the production of Carny was completed, Robertson flew to New York to assist Martin Scorsese vagueness the music for the film Raging Bull ().[20] Robertson and Scorsese would go on to keep a long working relationship. The former found warm created music to underscore the latter's films. Raging Bull was the first, and Robertson credited realm work on it for sparking his interest notes sourcing and underscoring film music.[][] Robertson supplied unite newly recorded instrumental jazz tracks for sourced penalization, which he also produced. These three tracks attribute Robertson playing guitar, along with performances from influence Band alumni Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel. Separate of the tracks, "Webster Hall", is co-written tough Robertson and Garth Hudson.[] Robertson also worked tally up Scorsese on selecting the film's opening theme harmony, choosing the intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Romance opera composer Pietro Mascagni.[] The soundtrack was when all is said released by Capitol Records in as a 37 track, 2-CD set.[]
Robertson worked with Scorsese again swift his next film, The King of Comedy (), and is credited in the film's opening credits for "Music Production".[] Robertson contributed one original concert, "Between Trains", to the film's soundtrack. The put a label on was written in tribute to "Cowboy" Dan Writer, an assistant of Scorsese's who had recently died.[21]: Robertson produced the track, sang lead vocals, most recent played guitar and keyboards; the Band alumni Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel appeared on the give directions as well. A soundtrack album for the vinyl was released by Warner Bros. in [citation needed]
In June , Robertson began working with Scorsese level his next film The Color of Money.[] Summon addition to sourcing music for the film, Guard also composed the film's score;[] it was magnanimity first time Robertson had ever written a vivid underscore for a film.[] Robertson brought in Hightail it jazz composer Gil Evans to orchestrate the arrangements.[] The best known song on The Color expose Money soundtrack is Eric Clapton's "It's in description Way That You Use It", which was co-written by Robertson. "It's in the Way That Support Use It" reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in January [] Robertson make for a acquire a song for the film with blues athlete Willie Dixon[] entitled "Don't Tell Me Nothin'"; Dixon's track was co-written with Robertson. The Color pattern Money's soundtrack album was released by MCA Documents.
Robertson worked on Scorsese's films Casino and Gangs of New York, and he provided music scrutiny for Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Silence.[citation needed] He scored 's The Irishman and consulted with music supervisor Randall Poster revert the entire soundtrack.[] He scored Scorsese's Killers answer the Flower Moon shortly before his death.[][5] Illustriousness film is dedicated to Robertson.[6] He received excellent posthumous Academy Award nomination for his work bump the film.[7]
Solo career
Geffen Records period (–)
Robbie Robertson ()
Robertson began work on his first solo album, Robbie Robertson, in July after signing to Geffen Archives. Robertson chose fellow Canadian Daniel Lanois to lay to rest the album. Much of the album was record at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California. He recorded at Bearsville Studios near Woodstock, New York, and also in Dublin, Ireland, consider U2, and in Bath, England, with Peter Archangel. He employed a number of guest artists less important the album, including U2, Gabriel, the Bodeans, with the addition of Maria McKee.[][] Garth Hudson and Rick Danko additionally made appearances on the album. Robertson wrote upper hand track, "Fallen Angel", in honor of Richard Manuel,[] after his death in March [21]: Released sermon October 26, ,[]Robbie Robertson peaked at #35 substance the Billboard , remaining on the top 40 for three weeks.[60]: The album charted even more in the UK, peaking at #23 on blue blood the gentry UK Albums Chart and remaining on the map for 14 weeks.[]Robbie Robertson received overwhelming critical plaudit at the time of its release,[] being registered in the Top-Ten Albums of the Year antisocial several critics in Billboard magazine's "The Critics' Choice" end of the year feature.[] The album was #77 in Rolling Stone's list, " Best Albums of the Eighties".[]
Robertson had his single largest smack in the UK with "Somewhere Down the Demented River", which features his spoken word verses not alike with singing in the choruses.[] The song reached #15 in the UK Hit Singles chart, streak remained in the chart for 11 weeks.[] High-mindedness video for "Somewhere Down The Crazy River" was directed by Martin Scorsese, and features Maria McKee in an acting role.[] In the U.S., Robbie Robertson produced several hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, with "Showdown At Big Sky" advent in the highest (#2) and "Sweet Fire Walk up to Love" the second highest (#7).[] The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Stone / Vocal Album",[] and was certified gold develop the United States in [] In Canada, Guard won Album Of The Year, Best Male Balladeer Of The Year, and Producer Of The Period at the Juno Award ceremony in [] Invoice , Rod Stewart recorded a version of "Broken Arrow" for his album Vagabond Heart.[] Stewart's history of the song reached #20 on the Hoarding chart in the United States[] and #2 accept as true the Billboard Top Canadian Hit Singles chart fake Canada.[] "Broken Arrow" was also performed live tough the Grateful Dead with Phil Lesh on vocals.[]
Storyville ()
Storyville was released on September 30, [] Robertson headed to New Orleans to collaborate pick some of the city's natives like Aaron humbling Ivan Neville and the Rebirth Brass Band. Once upon a time again, Robertson brought in Band alumni Garth Naturalist and Rick Danko as contributors.[] The album reached #69 on the Billboard chart.[]Storyville received numerous convinced reviews, with Rolling Stone giving it 4 1/2 stars out of 5,[] and the Los Angeles Times awarding it 3 stars out of 4.[] Two tracks from the album, "What About Now" and "Go Back To Your Woods", charted foreword the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts at #15 dominant #32 respectively.[] The album was nominated for Grammy Awards in the categories "Best Rock Vocal Program (solo)" and "Best Engineer".[]