Robbie wrote and played some of the best music ever to come from this continent. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. Great guitarist, to boot!
he steals credit and was the stepbrother in the Band.... stealing from a group effort! He co-wrote and claimed it all as his. So, he is over credited. Did you know that the Band had a typewriter on a table at Big Pink and they would type down lyrics and arrangements any time of day or night when the inspiration struck on the songs THEY were developing. The stepbrother having a dose of narcissism needs to fill that ego with I, me. He was sued by Levon did you know..... The Band was a Legend but Robbie missed half of that time. It was the Last Waltz for Robbie, but the Band played on and toured the world, made a few more records and remained in Woodstock while the stepbrother was looking for a spotlight in Hollywood.
@@ikkenhisatsu7170 Well, not one of them writing a decent song would include Robbie the leader of the rich and famous. Robbie died after the Band... and The Band Played on. So, your shallow challenge proved my point that it was a group effort which really was the essence of them. Here, is my question to you, If Robbie was such a great songwriter why didn't he ever write a decent song after he broke them up. Truth is they did not breakup, they moved on without the stepbrother who basically evaporated. This response is from Woodstock and my girlfriend was best friends with Rick Danko's wife, so I have heard a lot about the narcistic stepbrother in person over the years so I will leave it at that. How else would I know about the typewriter? I heard it from THE BAND.
@@McMurphyKirby Broken Arrow is not a decent song? Somewhere Down the Crazy River? Dude. You're wrong. But about the ego and narcissism of Robertson, I believe you have it right. Your view of Robertson is so so sour from your personal experience, I am guessing, that people like me start to lose faith in your credibility.
"The Last Waltz" is one of my top 10 fav films. I recommend it to anyone who loves The Band, Robbie and good film! I watched it again 5 times during Covid lockdowns. It never gets old.
Among the humblest brightest, and most well spoken, people who's talents in that time period and in keeping his creative skills in form, played a big part in raising the bar of music, to a level of excellence that defines the era.
humble he wasn't......you notice his 1st answer to what he thought of Dylan being awarded the Nobel Prize, 'I don't care'......before cleaning up his response.....I've read 4 books on the Band including Levon and Robbie's autobio's......the man wasn't and isn't humble
For my dough ,Robbie Robertson is the coolest guy ever in Rock &Roll ! His musicianship ,his fierce street intelligence ,the way he conducts himself and of course ,he knows exactly how to cut out the crud and call it as it is ... Don't forget he was the chief songwriter for the most admired and respected Band ...EVER ..
Sad to say, this is a common belief but a myth. After Robertson split, neither Levon or The Band as a group could come up with original material, while Robbie continued to be prolific. Manuel had checked out years earlier. They did have a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Robbie provided the songs and The Band certainly did them justice and then some. Great actors win Oscars, but few ever wrote the script. The same can apply to music. Frankie Valli, Roger Daltrey, and Colin Blunstone did quite well with songs written by other group members and didn't complain about it. Levon, the incredible musician that he was, seemed to have gotten a bad case of sour grapes over the upstart kid getting recognition for writing outstanding lyrics. Levon lived the life, while Robbie romanticized it and put it to paper. Fair or not, the latter situation tends to inspire the most creativity.
Yes, you are right Robbie wrote the songs, he also tried to keep The Band together when 3 members were doing heroin and god know what else. Robbie was the adult in the room, probably more ambitious than the other guys. Read his book Testimony and Barney Hoskyns biograhpy of The Band, and you get a better idea of what went on. Having said that I loved all The Band members, the were all so talented. Rick and Robbie are my favorites.@@jackielitten2865
A wonderful Telecaster player. Great songwriter. Fantastic words and storytelling. I read Levon’s book. I am glad Robbie is forgiving and thinks of Levon in the best possible light. Richard Manuel had such an expressive voice. Rick Danko sang great, nice bass parts, fretless bass too. Could play good acoustic guitar, violin. Garth Hudson was a formally educated musician and helped teach music to the others. His Lowry organ had the note bender on the expression pedal (predates the pitch wheel). Played sax. Levon has a great dead muffled drum tone, good singer, played mandolin. All the Band were multi instrumentalists. Beautiful 3 part harmonies. Garth’s unique sound was important to their sound. What a great body of work. Robbie has done many other things since the Band. He is a very smart and creative man.
I'm a no-talent player but it's odd how a different guitar makes music come out of you... when I discovered a telecaster and a strat, it was like magic.
For my money, the combo of Richard Manuel and Levon Helm singing was untouchable in Rock harmonies...and Garth Hudson (still alive at 85 and living in my city of Windsor, Ontario) was a prodigious talent from the day his fingers hit the organ. "Don't Do It" from The Last Waltz is such a fiery rendition of that song...and Richard and Levon singing King Harvest is another one I come back to quite a bit.
For me, Fender single-coil guitars are better at bringing out elements of an individual's playing style, while Gibson humbucker guitars enable players to emulate the sound of others. An over-simplification, perhaps, although having Robbie Roberston play a Les Paul through an overdriven valve amp would have likely sounded less like RR and more like someone else entirely. Much of tone and feel originates from a player's hands. The choice of instrument is also an important element in making this happen. @@TheVatonaught
Thank you Robbie...your music has given me countless hours of pleasure, and lifted me up when I was low....you re a true Canadan Nice Guy.....I lived in Canada for many years and I still feel homesick for it....! God bless.
It is a fact he kept the Band cooking as a group and was the songwriter. Levon, Garth, Rick and Richard were amazing musicians, but he had the VISION and STABILITY to hold them together♥️
@@McMurphyKirby you are pretty hard on someone who accomplished quite a catalog of amazing songs. Even Mozart "stole" as you say riffs , so to speak. Part of the art of music is unconsciously bringing up things you heard. Are you a musician?
According to Robbie's book, he wrote we all had demons and the chase was on. However, Robbie could perhaps control himself a little more than the other guys. He said in an interview "perhaps I was a little more scared than the other guys". He also was better at taking care of business so to speak, dealing with publicity, accountants, etc. all the other members had no interest in. Garth was an introvert, the other 3 were hooked on heroin and other substances. Robbie did drugs as well, but with him the music always came first. And after he got married and had 2 children very close in age (and a 3 one later) his wife kept him grounded.@@chrismiles8822
Levon did not say"you didnt write the songs",he said you didnt write them by yourself.Even Robbie says right in this interview," He knows I wrote the songs,he was right there!!!",He was right there because they both were writing and giving input.
Here in America, we get used to people we respect being asked braindead questions. That does not happen here. Every question is intelligent, informed, insightfull, and heartfelt. Hats off to whoever-she-is.
Robbie is so enjoyable to listen to, a fantastic storyteller on all levels, not to mention a musical genius. He is a national treasure. I always admired Robbie, especially his mathematical style guitar playing. Thank you CBC for sharing Robbie to the nation.
Can you hear that singing Sounds like gold Maybe I can only hear it in my head. 15 years ago we owned that road now its, Rolling over us instead....... Richard Manuel is dead. ~Jason Isbell
Great songwriter, musician, singer. Absolutely amazing. It is great he promotes native culture with his beautiful music. Robbie’s mom was correct. Still true today.
Or, as Levon said, the Band wrote the songs together, and one person was cute enough to wait until the others were too far gone to know, and he got himself accredited as the writer. How strange that he's written nothing noteworthy since, and has spent his time taking credit for all this great writing ever since. I mean, read his book, and he pretty much created Bob Dylan. What a shame he never got to help Led Zeppelin. Who knows how successful he might have made them become. Wait a minute. Vol 2 of his memoirs says he did!
They did not write the songs together. You are buying Levons version (and don't get me wrong I love Levon's singing and drumming) listen to interviews of Ronnie Hawkins and John Simon, or read Barney Hoskyns biography of The Band.@@andrewthegraciouslordrober327
What robbie said in regards to levon. Man that hit home. I know for a FACT these two love each other. And the will be playing for Millennium in heaven. Rip Levon,Rick,Richard
I ran into Wendy Mesley at the Native Center of Toronto a few years back and I didn't have a clue who she was and I asked her are you a reporter? She said yes with a big smile, I was thinking what a beautiful woman. Then a friend came up to me and said don't you know who that is? I'm like No, Ha! Now I do.
Geddy Lee gave an interview once and said Rush split the money equally three ways no matter who contributed what. I wish these 5 guys had done the same. Im sure Robbies lyrics wouldnt be so good without the 4 others input. Still no denying who the creative genius in the Band was.
Robertson says right in his book they all asked him to buy their publishing. So he did. There you go.. Even Garth. Lot of people did that in the late 70's ive read. John Kay from Steppenwolf would be another. Said so in his memoir...was like "whoops" didn't know they'd come out with the CD in a few years...
Robbie summed up Joni Mitchell to a tee she's the queen and the Last Waltz has been described as the one of the greatest concerts ever and so many great artists Joni singing cyote was definitely one of the highlights. Robbie singing the praises of Levon Helm with their history sais a lot about Robbie as a person great interview would have liked to hear his thoughts on Neil Young some great Canadians there.
I've read his book and its a great read! Just full of great stories of The Bands early days,and his personal experiences with a who's who of artists from those days. It really transports you back to a time when things were so different.
Craig Maggard. I agree with your assessment of Testimony It was in my opinion a perfect time capsule it transported me back & I felt like I was right there with them during that period. There will never be another collective of musicians like that ever again in my opinion
robbie robertson is brilliant. no doubt about it. the album "the native americans" was and is stellar. i booked some of his singers in the 1990's in philly. they were called Ulali'. i am trying to find them to book them again. if anyone knows how to contact pura fe and soni and jen, please let me know! also, i am so interested in hearing the news that robbie's natural fathers last name was klegerman. my last name is kligerman. soooo interesting. anyway, robbie is brilliant musically beyond words. i am and always will be a number one fan. thank you for your music. you are a treasure.
i think my comment was too long. to sum up, i just found out that robbie's birth father's last name is klegerman. mine is kligerman. could it be?? you are a treasure robbie, thank you for your music.
Robbie Robertson is the legendary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and the greatest guitar player, songwriter, singer, actor, storyteller and writer of all times.
I loved his music and still do but I've seen and heard the other band members talk about him with such bitterness. I want to know WHY. It's not just Levon was wrong but I forgive him, I sense that there was a lot more to it.
@Rick B Ive heard Danko say the same as Helm but the on going saga was mostly between rr and helm.But hey- idk. I wasnt there! Ive no dog in the fight. I like both of them
Read his book! His version is different then Levons... The other guys where is into drugs more then him and he wrote the songs... Etc... Read his book and Levons ... Then the truth is in-between probably
Right or wrong Robbie Robertson squirms whenever asked about these questions pertaining to Levon or The Band as a whole. His answers clearly are uncomfortably conveyed.
@@ynotttt back then RR didn’t like the drugs, I think he was real straight and knew the dangers of addictions and love his Bandmates that he was hard on them and it created the strain...and don’t forget he didn’t want to be stereotyped but loved the music more then the flack, my take...
Meaning no disrespect to Robbie but how come when some kid is born of an Ethic Caucasian parent and a Native American parent that the kid is thought of as Native American, same applies to a white parent and a black parent, the kid is black, Obama being the most famous example these days. Is Robbie ashamed of his Father as he didnt even mention him in this interview but he made sure his Mother was mentioned. LOVE The Band and still listen to the Brown Album as well as the others. Levon was THE best singer/drummer in Rock n Roll. Rick was THE best singer. In The Spotlight. Richard sadly didnt stick around and I will never understand why he took himself out as he was GREAT, singing and a Piano player. Garth kinda held you all together with his solid serious ways of playing mini Sax and Organ. What a Band... none come close to you guys, thanks for all the music. From a Scotsman.
You're missing the point. Given the set of circumstances you refer to, it's up to them how they define themselves...not us. Robbie's father was Jewish. Is he ashamed? Who knows? Robertson has actually spoken about his father in print and during interviews
I only really liked the classics of The Band. But Storyville and his first album, I forget what its called, but I love almost every song on both those albums.
@@boppy4 No he did not. Levon was the one that betrayed the brotherhood, first by getting hooked on heroin and lying to Robbie about it. Later, many years later, after he recklessly had squandered his money away he blamed Robbie.
I was just turning thirteen when I first heard 'Music From Big Pink' on FM rock radio and I went mad. I remember the big competitors for my attention at that moment were 'MFBP', 'Yellow Submarine' and 'Electric Ladyland'. This year 'Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy' found me. I love the song 'Peyote Healing' from that release. The cover has been my phone background, I'm going to miss Robbie. 🤥
Entertainers play what the Audience wants to hear Artists play what the Audience doesn't know they want until after they hear it . Pertaining to Dylan/Cohen
2:52...Of course you don't care...what Levon thought...you got all the money!!! Bad hair plug big time dude...and that constant sniffing has to be cocaine damage...at least we know where all the money went...
I don't know that he has hair plugs...he never looked like he was going bald before hand. He got the money because he wrote the songs, Levon for instance couldn't write a song to save his life. Originally they shared publishing, then the other guys sold their rights to Robertson for toot money. I understand their anger at not being able to make a good living after the original Band stopped touring, but they should have raised their objections before the Last Waltz...they were probably too stoned and too dumb to think about the future then.
To those who have a problem with Robbie Robertson and his relationship with Levon Helm well I am almost in your camp,but only the Band and a few insiders. know the truth. Copyright laws are tricky.What did the Band's contract say, Creedence Clearwater is a sad story too Sadder than the Beatles. I wish them all Peace!
We have the music, that's what counts. Its sort of like dissecting a parents marriage even though their children are our best friends... who cares! We love them and we respect them.
could robbie have had the same effect with his songs with other people singing them?...no....did he write the songs ?...yes....did the members make money touring and appearing in film? ...yes...its the way it is
problem with Robby is, he's a known bullshitter from before the issues with Helm... he's good at making all situations pertain to himself somehow...... Dylan is the person who called him out on his bs!
Robbie Robertson went out of his way to screw the rest of his band mates it’s way beyond just complicated copyright laws. It’s not just hearsay either it’s well established what he did with a LOT of witnesses. While he was strung out when he did it he did it bc he was bitter the band was breaking up and most likely freaking out about money bc of it. What he did directly contributed to Richard’s suicide which is also well established. I honestly don’t know how he can live with himself with what he’s done to his best friends. The whole thing is really sad and unfortunate.
Has anyone ever heard a songwriting demo of The Wait or Cripple Creek That Robbie did With Robbie doing the leadvocale singing the lyrics that ,are on the records?
Who wrote songs after Robbie left The Band? Any done by the others? Rick a few. Richard, fewer. Robbie wrote many and made great albums. That says. Loudly.
Better question, how many hits did they have after Robbie? By that time, it was mostly about money, anyway. Which is why they sold their publishing rights to Robbie.
I've never heard Robbie ever say anything bad about anyone,he has always seen good in everyone.just a man with a good heart,RIP Robbie.
Robbie wrote and played some of the best music ever to come from this continent. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. Great guitarist, to boot!
he steals credit and was the stepbrother in the Band.... stealing from a group effort! He co-wrote and claimed it all as his. So, he is over credited. Did you know that the Band had a typewriter on a table at Big Pink and they would type down lyrics and arrangements any time of day or night when the inspiration struck on the songs THEY were developing. The stepbrother having a dose of narcissism needs to fill that ego with I, me. He was sued by Levon did you know..... The Band was a Legend but Robbie missed half of that time. It was the Last Waltz for Robbie, but the Band played on and toured the world, made a few more records and remained in Woodstock while the stepbrother was looking for a spotlight in Hollywood.
@@McMurphyKirby If they were all such great writers, why did not one of them ever write a decent song after the breakup?
@@ikkenhisatsu7170 Well, not one of them writing a decent song would include Robbie the leader of the rich and famous. Robbie died after the Band... and The Band Played on. So, your shallow challenge proved my point that it was a group effort which really was the essence of them. Here, is my question to you, If Robbie was such a great songwriter why didn't he ever write a decent song after he broke them up. Truth is they did not breakup, they moved on without the stepbrother who basically evaporated. This response is from Woodstock and my girlfriend was best friends with Rick Danko's wife, so I have heard a lot about the narcistic stepbrother in person over the years so I will leave it at that. How else would I know about the typewriter? I heard it from THE BAND.
@@McMurphyKirby not much objectivity in this message either. Rick, Levon and all the rest of the Band were great but Robbie was special.
@@McMurphyKirby Broken Arrow is not a decent song? Somewhere Down the Crazy River? Dude. You're wrong. But about the ego and narcissism of Robertson, I believe you have it right. Your view of Robertson is so so sour from your personal experience, I am guessing, that people like me start to lose faith in your credibility.
What a great historical time that Robbie has had. Still down to earth, and love the music!
Always the gentleman ... he left us such a legacy of music ... RIP ... a job well done ...
I love his honesty, so sad that he and Levon weren't able to reconcile but the love was still there.
I saw the Band and Dylan together in 1974. The best concert I ever saw!
I was there as well, I agree!!
Wow! Lucky you!!
I saw them at the L.A. Forum. A smokin' show!
"The Last Waltz" is one of my top 10 fav films. I recommend it to anyone who loves The Band, Robbie and good film! I watched it again 5 times during Covid lockdowns. It never gets old.
Oh my god what a lovely man I could listen to him for days
Among the humblest brightest, and most well spoken, people who's talents in that time period and in keeping his creative skills in form, played a big part in raising the bar of music, to a level of excellence that defines the era.
instablaster...
Or pretentious prog rock bs that punk thankfully put an end too relegating the band to performing for small theaters and clubs in the 80s
humble he wasn't......you notice his 1st answer to what he thought of Dylan being awarded the Nobel Prize, 'I don't care'......before cleaning up his response.....I've read 4 books on the Band including Levon and Robbie's autobio's......the man wasn't and isn't humble
@@fauxbro ^^ this
@@fauxbro exactly, meaning in his heart he’s competitive with Dylan and believes The Band is in league with Dylan when they aren’t lmfao
I met Robbie robertson when he was being honored on the reserve where he spent a lot of time. I was the only teenager there.
For my dough ,Robbie Robertson is the coolest guy ever in Rock &Roll ! His musicianship ,his fierce street intelligence ,the way he conducts himself and of course ,he knows exactly how to cut out the crud and call it as it is ... Don't forget he was the chief songwriter for the most admired and respected Band ...EVER ..
He took all credits and royalties for the songs that They all wrote together as a band, certainly not the coolest rock guy.
Sad to say, this is a common belief but a myth. After Robertson split, neither Levon or The Band as a group could come up with original material, while Robbie continued to be prolific. Manuel had checked out years earlier. They did have a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Robbie provided the songs and The Band certainly did them justice and then some. Great actors win Oscars, but few ever wrote the script. The same can apply to music. Frankie Valli, Roger Daltrey, and Colin Blunstone did quite well with songs written by other group members and didn't complain about it. Levon, the incredible musician that he was, seemed to have gotten a bad case of sour grapes over the upstart kid getting recognition for writing outstanding lyrics. Levon lived the life, while Robbie romanticized it and put it to paper. Fair or not, the latter situation tends to inspire the most creativity.
Yes, you are right Robbie wrote the songs, he also tried to keep The Band together when 3 members were doing heroin and god know what else. Robbie was the adult in the room, probably more ambitious than the other guys. Read his book Testimony and Barney Hoskyns biograhpy of The Band, and you get a better idea of what went on. Having said that I loved all The Band members, the were all so talented. Rick and Robbie are my favorites.@@jackielitten2865
A wonderful Telecaster player. Great songwriter. Fantastic words and storytelling. I read Levon’s book. I am glad Robbie is forgiving and thinks of Levon in the best possible light. Richard Manuel had such an expressive voice. Rick Danko sang great, nice bass parts, fretless bass too. Could play good acoustic guitar, violin. Garth Hudson was a formally educated musician and helped teach music to the others. His Lowry organ had the note bender on the expression pedal (predates the pitch wheel). Played sax. Levon has a great dead muffled drum tone, good singer, played mandolin. All the Band were multi instrumentalists. Beautiful 3 part harmonies. Garth’s unique sound was important to their sound. What a great body of work. Robbie has done many other things since the Band. He is a very smart and creative man.
I'm a no-talent player but it's odd how a different guitar makes music come out of you... when I discovered a telecaster and a strat, it was like magic.
For my money, the combo of Richard Manuel and Levon Helm singing was untouchable in Rock harmonies...and Garth Hudson (still alive at 85 and living in my city of Windsor, Ontario) was a prodigious talent from the day his fingers hit the organ. "Don't Do It" from The Last Waltz is such a fiery rendition of that song...and Richard and Levon singing King Harvest is another one I come back to quite a bit.
For me, Fender single-coil guitars are better at bringing out elements of an individual's playing style, while Gibson humbucker guitars enable players to emulate the sound of others. An over-simplification, perhaps, although having Robbie Roberston play a Les Paul through an overdriven valve amp would have likely sounded less like RR and more like someone else entirely. Much of tone and feel originates from a player's hands. The choice of instrument is also an important element in making this happen. @@TheVatonaught
RIP Robbie and thanks for the music.
Some incredible musicians from Canada during those years.
Thank you Robbie...your music has given me countless hours of pleasure, and lifted me up when I was low....you re a true Canadan Nice Guy.....I lived in Canada for many years and I still feel homesick for it....! God bless.
May your spirit dance and play in the cosmos Robbie. We shall miss you.
It is a fact he kept the Band cooking as a group and was the songwriter. Levon, Garth, Rick and Richard were amazing musicians, but he had the VISION and STABILITY to hold them together♥️
Levon held the band together. Robertson took all the credit and money and abandoned them
Perhaps, but he survived, and didn't waste away on bad habits like Rick, Levon and Richard all of whom had demons beyond their control.
@@McMurphyKirby you are pretty hard on someone who accomplished quite a catalog of amazing songs. Even Mozart "stole" as you say riffs , so to speak. Part of the art of music is unconsciously bringing up things you heard. Are you a musician?
According to Robbie's book, he wrote we all had demons and the chase was on. However, Robbie could perhaps control himself a little more than the other guys. He said in an interview "perhaps I was a little more scared than the other guys". He also was better at taking care of business so to speak, dealing with publicity, accountants, etc. all the other members had no interest in. Garth was an introvert, the other 3 were hooked on heroin and other substances. Robbie did drugs as well, but with him the music always came first. And after he got married and had 2 children very close in age (and a 3 one later) his wife kept him grounded.@@chrismiles8822
A true legend
Last Waltz
I play it all the time
The Band are one of the biggest ever 👏🏾👏🏾🙏✌🏼🤠🌈
Robbie seems like such a nice guy.
So glad you went for your dreams Robbie, you will be missed forever. RIP and Godspeed.
Levon did not say"you didnt write the songs",he said you didnt write them by yourself.Even Robbie says right in this interview," He knows I wrote the songs,he was right there!!!",He was right there because they both were writing and giving input.
An editor is not an author.
If a band goes into a room with nothing and comes out with a finished song, the writing credits should be split evenly. Period.
Levon did not write the songs for his own solo albums. He was a great singer and musician, but never an originator.
Here in America, we get used to people we respect being asked braindead questions. That does not happen here. Every question is intelligent, informed, insightfull, and heartfelt. Hats off to whoever-she-is.
Her name is Wendy Mesley. Great journalist. No longer with CBC. Weird circumstances, if I recall correctly.
We love you Robbie Robertson!
Respect to you with your achievements and your hard work in writing beautiful songs. Once again, akuluk.
LOVE Robbie Robertson, The Band AND Bob Dylan! Have followed many of his more recent Albums, & really enjoying these interviews...
Robbie is so enjoyable to listen to, a fantastic storyteller on all levels, not to mention a musical genius. He is a national treasure. I always admired Robbie, especially his mathematical style guitar playing. Thank you CBC for sharing Robbie to the nation.
Robbie is the greatest, love the dude, Levon is great too, and when they played together it was magic, I'm not interested in the gossip
Such a beautiful soul!!!
Bob got the Nobel Prize because that was the last award he hadn't received. Now they're going to have to make up new ones.
Funny Richard.
I love him! He's so gentle person!
Can you hear that singing
Sounds like gold
Maybe I can only hear it in my head.
15 years ago we owned that road now its,
Rolling over us instead.......
Richard Manuel is dead.
~Jason Isbell
Reading his book right now, trying to make it last, it's so good.
Really excellent
Great songwriter, musician, singer. Absolutely amazing. It is great he promotes native culture with his beautiful music. Robbie’s mom was correct. Still true today.
Robbie Robertson is a musical genius. Hooking him up with Levon, Richard, Garth and Rick was an (thankfully) of God.
Just read Robbie Robertson's Music that changed the world, and waching this interview feels like that's a complete
🤔Robbie spun beautiful stories ..and Levon gave them life....together they were epic...
Not only Levon, but Richard and my favorite Rick Danko, and don't leave out Garth and his genius on several instruments.
Robertson, Dylan, Cohen and Mitchell...these people raised the bar on pop/rock songwriting. The world will never see their likes again
Or, as Levon said, the Band wrote the songs together, and one person was cute enough to wait until the others were too far gone to know, and he got himself accredited as the writer.
How strange that he's written nothing noteworthy since, and has spent his time taking credit for all this great writing ever since. I mean, read his book, and he pretty much created Bob Dylan. What a shame he never got to help Led Zeppelin. Who knows how successful he might have made them become.
Wait a minute. Vol 2 of his memoirs says he did!
They did not write the songs together. You are buying Levons version (and don't get me wrong I love Levon's singing and drumming) listen to interviews of Ronnie Hawkins and John Simon, or read Barney Hoskyns biography of The Band.@@andrewthegraciouslordrober327
I love the Band, I love Robbie! For me, Dylan, Van Morrison, and Robbie Robertson are the holy trinity!
Great man. Love his simple respect and love of Leonard and Joni.
What robbie said in regards to levon. Man that hit home. I know for a FACT these two love each other. And the will be playing for Millennium in heaven. Rip Levon,Rick,Richard
Why are the old clips of the band looking like they dubbed off my moms vhs in the basement. Come on CBC, these guys are legends.
A Canadian national treasure.
RIP Robbie, you and Sixto Rodriguez had a great effect on music.
RIP Richard rick and levon
Robbie was the one member of the Band that refused to have a reunion and all play music together again.
And....
Robbie moved on, he was done with touring. That was his right, he wanted a different life. He let the remaining band members keep the name The Band.
What a generous spirit, this gentleman has!!!
I ran into Wendy Mesley at the Native Center of Toronto a few years back and I didn't have a clue who she was and I asked her are you a reporter? She said yes with a big smile, I was thinking what a beautiful woman. Then a friend came up to me and said don't you know who that is? I'm like No, Ha! Now I do.
Robbie and Garth are the only members of The Band that did not get ground down by drugs and alcohol.
i must confess to being confused by the amount of sniffing Robbie is doing during this interview, I do hope I've got it wrong
cocaine
kevin joseph he seems a little overweight for a cokehead.
I love he does not offer excuses which would have kept him behind with the rest who did.
A very interesting insight into his early history on a reserve
Great interview thanks Robbie for the music RiP
I love hearing him talk ... could listen for days
Divine Miss B We should get together, I can talk for days!
Will work on the impression, just in case...;•》
Geddy Lee gave an interview once and said Rush split the money equally three ways no matter who contributed what. I wish these 5 guys had done the same. Im sure Robbies lyrics wouldnt be so good without the 4 others input. Still no denying who the creative genius in the Band was.
He wrote everything music and Lyrics
The Doors did that also. Robby Kreiger wrote "Light My Fire" but they all get the royalties.
Robbie robertson is not only a great guitarist but also a great character . i have notting but respect for this man
I'm sorry my brother, but it will Never be over.
❤ Grateful to have him in my presence ❤
In a million years this guy would never say a disparaging word about himself.
He’s never had a disparaging word for his harshest critic either.
Robertson says right in his book they all asked him to buy their publishing. So he did. There you go.. Even Garth. Lot of people did that in the late 70's ive read. John Kay from Steppenwolf would be another. Said so in his memoir...was like "whoops" didn't know they'd come out with the CD in a few years...
Think I'll see if "Testimony" is at my local library and I'll check it out.
When we think of 60s music, a tendency among us Americans to think of what we created...but, where would the 60s music be without Canadians???
Pure class.
Robbie summed up Joni Mitchell to a tee she's the queen and the Last Waltz has been described as the one of the greatest concerts ever and so many great artists Joni singing cyote was definitely one of the highlights. Robbie singing the praises of Levon Helm with their history sais a lot about Robbie as a person great interview would have liked to hear his thoughts on Neil Young some great Canadians there.
I've read his book and its a great read! Just full of great stories of The Bands early days,and his personal experiences with a who's who of artists from those days. It really transports you back to a time when things were so different.
Craig Maggard. I agree with your assessment of Testimony It was in my opinion a perfect time capsule it transported me back & I felt like I was right there with them during that period. There will never be another collective of musicians like that ever again in my opinion
Yet when I read testimony I was constantly cringing everytime he said how great he is. Embarrassing. I was surprised and disappointed
@@sammyscotch9945 what book did you read? Its a book full of respect, of joy and hard work. He never says he is good at anything...
A former journalism colleague named Mary Ellen had stories from Woodstock and the pink house.
@@digitalnobody74 did u read Levon"s book? He didn't have many good things to say about Robbie
i love him... there is no band without him but its 2 yeaers ago i hope he got hes breathing seening to
????
Cocaine he never stopped using
Love that guy, he's so humble!
Read his book. Humble is not RR
Humble and Robbie are not synonymos...Levon was humble. Robbie is a narcissist,
Thanks, Robbie!
His love for Levon is something I've tried to stress on various comments about Levon's book, for those who haven't read Robbie's.
I like him even more now. ♥️
Thanks Robbie
robbie robertson is brilliant. no doubt about it. the album "the native americans" was and is stellar. i booked some of his singers in the 1990's in philly. they were called Ulali'. i am trying to find them to book them again. if anyone knows how to contact pura fe and soni and jen, please let me know! also, i am so interested in hearing the news that robbie's natural fathers last name was klegerman. my last name is kligerman. soooo interesting. anyway, robbie is brilliant musically beyond words. i am and always will be a number one fan. thank you for your music. you are a treasure.
i think my comment was too long. to sum up, i just found out that robbie's birth father's last name is klegerman. mine is kligerman. could it be?? you are a treasure robbie, thank you for your music.
Robbie Robertson is the legendary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and the greatest guitar player, songwriter, singer, actor, storyteller and writer of all times.
No kidding, just ask him!
I loved his music and still do but I've seen and heard the other band members talk about him with such bitterness. I want to know WHY. It's not just Levon was wrong but I forgive him, I sense that there was a lot more to it.
Yeah, I have a sense it goes way beyond the money and writing credits. Most likely we will never know
@Rick B Ive heard Danko say the same as Helm but the on going saga was mostly between rr and helm.But hey- idk. I wasnt there! Ive no dog in the fight. I like both of them
Read his book! His version is different then Levons... The other guys where is into drugs more then him and he wrote the songs... Etc... Read his book and Levons ... Then the truth is in-between probably
Right or wrong Robbie Robertson squirms whenever asked about these questions pertaining to Levon or The Band as a whole. His answers clearly are uncomfortably conveyed.
@@ynotttt back then RR didn’t like the drugs, I think he was real straight and knew the dangers of addictions and love his Bandmates that he was hard on them and it created the strain...and don’t forget he didn’t want to be stereotyped but loved the music more then the flack, my take...
Meaning no disrespect to Robbie but how come when some kid is born of an Ethic Caucasian parent and a Native American parent that the kid is thought of as Native American, same applies to a white parent and a black parent, the kid is black, Obama being the most famous example these days. Is Robbie ashamed of his Father as he didnt even mention him in this interview but he made sure his Mother was mentioned.
LOVE The Band and still listen to the Brown Album as well as the others.
Levon was THE best singer/drummer in Rock n Roll.
Rick was THE best singer. In The Spotlight.
Richard sadly didnt stick around and I will never understand why he took himself out as he was GREAT, singing and a Piano player.
Garth kinda held you all together with his solid serious ways of playing mini Sax and Organ.
What a Band... none come close to you guys, thanks for all the music.
From a Scotsman.
he's native Canadian.
Andrew Blackadder it's a mixed race thing. He's both. He IS Native.
You're missing the point. Given the set of circumstances you refer to, it's up to them how they define themselves...not us. Robbie's father was Jewish. Is he ashamed? Who knows? Robertson has actually spoken about his father in print and during interviews
It's a 10 minute interview and the woman asked him about his native heritage in particular. Read his book
Read his book! He didn't know his dad!!!!
Love this man.
Do most Americans realize that Robbie Robertson, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young are all Canadian?
Yes
Really good interview, thank you.
What a classic gentleman
Robbie's solo work is sorely underrated. Storyville is fantastic.
I only really liked the classics of The Band. But Storyville and his first album, I forget what its called, but I love almost every song on both those albums.
Robbie Robertson is a forgiving person. he held no grudges against Levon
Why should he? He betrayed Levon many times over.
@@boppy4 how?
@@boppy4 No he did not. Levon was the one that betrayed the brotherhood, first by getting hooked on heroin and lying to Robbie about it. Later, many years later, after he recklessly had squandered his money away he blamed Robbie.
Leonard Cohen how dare you pass away when THE Robbie Robertson was thinking about coming to see you?! *gasp*
I was just turning thirteen when I first heard 'Music From Big Pink' on FM rock radio and I went mad. I remember the big competitors for my attention at that moment were 'MFBP', 'Yellow Submarine' and 'Electric Ladyland'. This year 'Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy' found me. I love the song 'Peyote Healing' from that release. The cover has been my phone background, I'm going to miss Robbie. 🤥
I can relate to this
very honorable interview
Keep up good side bud.
love this man
Eddie Fisher Fisher
The kinks
Entertainers play what the Audience wants to hear Artists play what the Audience doesn't know they want until after they hear it . Pertaining to Dylan/Cohen
Try being brought up on a reserve. You learn fast, one step beyond, others.
2:52...Of course you don't care...what Levon thought...you got all the money!!! Bad hair plug big time dude...and that constant sniffing has to be cocaine damage...at least we know where all the money went...
I don't know that he has hair plugs...he never looked like he was going bald before hand.
He got the money because he wrote the songs, Levon for instance couldn't write a song to save his life. Originally they shared publishing, then the other guys sold their rights to Robertson for toot money. I understand their anger at not being able to make a good living after the original Band stopped touring, but they should have raised their objections before the Last Waltz...they were probably too stoned and too dumb to think about the future then.
@@markusrose9667 dont think they were dumb but addiction is a tough thing
To those who have a problem with Robbie Robertson and his relationship with Levon Helm well I am almost in your camp,but only the Band and a few insiders. know the truth. Copyright laws are tricky.What did the Band's contract say, Creedence Clearwater is a sad story too Sadder than the Beatles. I wish them all Peace!
flies on the wall can't talk.
so, who knows.
We have the music, that's what counts. Its sort of like dissecting a parents marriage even though their children are our best friends... who cares! We love them and we respect them.
could robbie have had the same effect with his songs with other people singing them?...no....did he write the songs ?...yes....did the members make money touring and appearing in film? ...yes...its the way it is
problem with Robby is, he's a known bullshitter from before the issues with Helm... he's good at making all situations pertain to himself somehow...... Dylan is the person who called him out on his bs!
Robbie Robertson went out of his way to screw the rest of his band mates it’s way beyond just complicated copyright laws. It’s not just hearsay either it’s well established what he did with a LOT of witnesses. While he was strung out when he did it he did it bc he was bitter the band was breaking up and most likely freaking out about money bc of it. What he did directly contributed to Richard’s suicide which is also well established. I honestly don’t know how he can live with himself with what he’s done to his best friends. The whole thing is really sad and unfortunate.
Getting old is such a drag...like jone Michael is great but sounds so old timey it breaks my heart and will probably be forgotten
She’s pretty 😍💕
God bless you for forgiving your late friend. I think you’re right, he was very sick and probably couldn’t help some of the things he said.
Robbie is Robbie...always good. But who is this lady interviewing him? Very beautiful!
Dr Tom thanks doc, was beginning to think I was the only one. Did you picture her in a leather dominatrix getup as well? Gets lonely on the res...
Dirty
Rest in peace
good old days. don't make them like that anymore
She asks about everything other than Robbie and The Band
Read the book!!!! :) Its a great read
What is the name of the Interviewer?
Wendy Mesley
Has anyone ever heard a songwriting demo of The Wait or Cripple Creek That Robbie did With Robbie doing the leadvocale singing the lyrics that ,are on the records?
Very intelligent questions
toastedcheeser Basically the same 8 questions he's been asked the last 30 years. But yeah, good ones.
Yoko Ono looks like she eats well these days!
Who wrote songs after Robbie left The Band? Any done by the others? Rick a few. Richard, fewer. Robbie wrote many and made great albums. That says. Loudly.
Better question, how many hits did they have after Robbie? By that time, it was mostly about money, anyway. Which is why they sold their publishing rights to Robbie.
Richard was a sad, sad case,…. Ultimately what we “produce” can’t, by itself, make us happy.
RIP big man you brought many people great pleasure 🙏