Following the sad news of Robbie Robertson of The Band‘s death at age 80, tributes have been pouring in. Filmmaker Martin Scorsese, with whom Robertson had a long collaborative relationship, wrote a message, and fellow musicians and others also shared tributes, including Neil Diamond, Jason Isbell, Mike Scott of The Waterboys, Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, Billy Corgan, Steven Van Zandt, Ron Sexsmith, Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Stephen Stills, Field Music, Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Bryan Adams, Fran Healy of Travis, Michael Des Barres, Matt Pinfield, Marc Maron, and Kiefer Sutherland. Read them below.
My heart breaks for the family of @r0bbier0berts0n, and I think it’s safe to say that without his influence the music we love and the music we make would be very different from what it is.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) August 9, 2023
The loss of Robbie Robertson is heartbreaking. Canada has lost an icon, and music has lost a poet and a scholar.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) August 9, 2023
Robbie Robertson was one the greatest guitarists in the history of rock'n'roll & soul music. Started as a kid in the late 50s, honed his craft in a 1,000 bars and dives. I will never forget his lead guitar on this, relentless and switchblade-sharp https://t.co/tUqJ9Dl7d9
— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) August 9, 2023
RIP Robbie Robertson. The Band will forever be one of my biggest influences. ?
— nathan followill (@doctorfollowill) August 9, 2023
And intellectualized rock ‘n’ roll artist who created THE Band.
Robbie Robertson is so important in the history of rock ‘n’ roll music, bringing americana and country music together. He backed Bob Dylan when Bob went electric. He will be remembered. RIP ? pic.twitter.com/NGZJmdaafM— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) August 9, 2023
So sorry to hear about Robbie Robertson’s passing. His music felt timeless when he wrote it and remains timeless. Thoughts and love to his family.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 9, 2023
RIP Robbie Robertson
Unspeakably sad news. His songwriting and guitar playing made such a lasting impact on music and in fact changed the direction of music in the late 60's from psychedelic to a more roots based approach. Huge Loss RS pic.twitter.com/qbS5W8InKK— Ron Sexsmith ? (@RonSexsmith) August 9, 2023
RIP Robbie Robertson. A good friend and a genius. The Band’s music shocked the excess out of the Renaissance and were an essential part of the final back-to-the-roots trend of ‘60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitar player adding greatly to Bob Dylan’s best tour & best album.
— ????Stevie Van Zandt☮️? (@StevieVanZandt) August 9, 2023
I'm tearing up a bit about Robbie Robertson. All the members of The Band brought something special and unique but he was the one set the direction of travel. The self-conscious one. The one who was most deliberately reaching for some new synthesis. ? https://t.co/KXAjOIgJOs
— Field Music (@fieldmusicmusic) August 9, 2023
RIP Robbie Robertson. Thanks for the amazing music and the great hangs, especially photographing you in LA not so long ago. We'll keep Anna Lee company for you… pic.twitter.com/0IqVibzVZm
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) August 9, 2023
Such sad news today that we lost Robbie Robertson. He wrote so many great songs for The Band, and helped change the course of modern music in the late 60’s. pic.twitter.com/D47rCk13N4
— Matt Pinfield (@mattpinfield) August 9, 2023
Robbie Robertson was part of one of the greatest bands of all time. RIP. I had a thorough, memorable talk with the man. https://t.co/vlv4KBZldj
— marc maron (@marcmaron) August 9, 2023
Sad to hear about Robbie Robertson's passing. The Band's music and his songs will outlive us all.
— Fran Healy (@franhealy) August 9, 2023
Such sad news about Robbie Robertson – he was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed xx R
Photographs from The Last Waltz pic.twitter.com/I7IHXGJyYj
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) August 9, 2023