It was the most generic name a band could have that, when I first heard it, did not understand what it was. The band that narrator Donald Sutherland was describing in the CBC documentary “Heart of Gold” about Canadian rock music was called – The Band.
Solo career
Robbie Robertson began work on his first solo album in 1986, with Canadian Daniel Lanois producing the album. Lanois had produced artists such as Martha and the Muffins, the Parachute Club, Luba, U2, and Peter Gabriel.
It was early in my musical education, so I only caught glimpses of the Canadian band that backed up the likes of Bob Dylan, but also released a healthy helping of their own hits.
Then, in 1987 when I had just left home, I heard this amazing song called “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”. It was by an artist I had seemingly never heard of named Robbie Robertson.
During the time that song played regularly on the radio, I learned that, in fact, I did know who Robbie Robertson was.
He was the man behind The Band. After that, I discovered a lot more songs by the Band that I had actually known for years.
All of this came back to me yesterday when I heard Robbie Robertson had died.
He was 80.
The years before
Wikipedia reveals Robbie Robertson played with Ronnie Hawkins, then was Bob Dylan’s lead guitarist in he mid to late 1960s. After that he was a guitarist and songwriter for The Band from their start until 1978.
Wikipedia reveals Robbie Robertson played with Ronnie Hawkins, then was Bob Dylan’s lead guitarist in he mid to late 1960s. After that he was a guitarist and songwriter for The Band from their start until 1978.
Robertson and The Band would put out a lot of songs that I became familiar with including ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”; and “Up on Cripple Creek”.
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The cover of Robbie Robertson's self-titled 1987 album. Source: Facebook/Robbie Robertson (May be subject to copyright) |
Robbie Robertson began work on his first solo album in 1986, with Canadian Daniel Lanois producing the album. Lanois had produced artists such as Martha and the Muffins, the Parachute Club, Luba, U2, and Peter Gabriel.
The self-titled album “Robbie Robertson” was released on October 26, 1987 and would peak at number 35 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
The single “Somewhere Down the Crazy River” was memorable, because he spoke parts of it and sang the chorus. The song peaked at number 91 in Canada’s Top 100, and number 24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. It did not make the Billboard Hot 100. The video was directed by Martin Scorcese.
The album also featured “Showdown at Big Sky”, which peaked at number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.
“Robbie Robertson” was critically acclaimed, nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock/Vocal Album, and won Junos for Album of the Year, Best Male Vocalist of the Year, and Producer of the Year in 1989.
Parting thoughts
Robbie Robertson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of The Band. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame as part of The Band in 2014 and as a solo artist in 2003. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters in 1997.
Robbie Robertson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of The Band. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame as part of The Band in 2014 and as a solo artist in 2003. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters in 1997.
He was also made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2011.
I came to Robbie Robertson in 1987 with “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”, and I just loved how emotional and soulful it was, especially the contrast between the spoken parts and what he sang.
For me, it was an introduction to some I have learned is truly a Canadian icon.
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