One of the most impactful artists in music history, Robbie Robertson, passed away this year, leaving behind a legacy of iconic songs reminiscent of lighthearted times. Robbie Robertson has undeniably played a big role in creating the Americana music genre.
Born in the 1940s, After Robertson was old enough, he joined his first music group, called Little Caesar and the Consuls. Bruce Morshead, a Pianist and vocalist, was the brains behind coming up with this talented little group.
This began Robbie’s Journey into music groups, and since 1956, he has been a part of many diverse bands, each carrying a tone and style of its own. However, none of them were really that successful when compared to what Robbie created when he was a part of “The Band.” From The Shape I’m In to The Weight, this band was the talk of the town back in its prime, spreading Americana music when it was still in its initial stages.
Robbie Robertson: Net Worth
After working with countless Bands and creating hit music for movies, Robbie Robertson has managed to collect a Net worth of almost $50 Million in his life of 80 years. Survived by his children, Alexandra, Delphine, and Sebastian, Robbie leaves us with nostalgic music that’s going to be a staple of Americana music for years to come.
Aside from music, Robertson was involved in writing books, a few of which include Legends, Icons, and Rebels: Music, Testimony (His autobiography), and Hiawatha and the Peacemaker. Robbie was an active member of charities like Artists Against Racism and many others.
While Robbie was an impressive guitarist, he could be considered a brilliant songwriter, actor, and Music consultant, too (in his later years). For films like Carny (1980) and The Crossing Guard (1995), Robbie channeled his inner actor and was able to perform these roles with perfection. Towards 2023, Robbie’s biggest work was composing music for the drama film Killers of the Flower Moon.
Robbie Robertson: About The Musician
Born in July of 1945, Robbie’s real name was Jaime Royal Robertson. His mom, Rosemarie Dolly Chrysler, was Native American, belonging to the Cayuga and Mohawks. Robbie’s father, Patrick Robertson, met Rosemarie while she was working at a jewelry plating factory, and they soon got married. However, it was only after Patrick’s death that Rosemarie let Robbie know that he wasn’t Patrick’s child.
His original father was Alexander David Klegerman, who had died due to an accident. While still in their prime teenage years, Robbie’s cousin, Herb Myke, introduced him to guitars, and he instantly fell in love with them.
Robertson started staying up late at night so that he could hear the rock and roll music that would be on the radio. By 14, Robbie started working in a carnival and later at a freakshow. Both of these jobs later became the inspiration for the song “Life Is a Carnival.”
After joining Little Caesar and the Consuls in 1956, Robbie became a part of Robbie and the Robots. Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks was his next big band, towards which he was being recognized as a Guitar Virtuoso.
However, after the year 1964, The Hawks, which included Robbie, cut off from Ronnie Hawkins and started to perform on their own. Robbie then worked with Levon and with the greatest songwriter ever, Bob Dylan. Levon felt bitter about the way Robertson had ended their group, but Robbie said in an interview that they cleared misunderstandings before Levon’s death.
By 1969, Robbie became a part of The Band after leaving Bob Dylan’s crew. Through The Band, Robertson was able to achieve higher recognition and praise, along with the feeling of brotherhood that he lacked as an only child.
The Band’s powerful final performance was documented with the help of Martin Scorsese, and this began Robbie’s relationship with Scorsese. Robertson has worked in creating music for a number of Martin Scorsese’s movies, some of which are The Irishman, Shutter Island, and Gangs of New York.
After Robertson’s sudden death in August of 2023 due to prostrate cancer, most of his bandmates and friends who are alive have paid respects to the guitarist and songwriter. To be a great musician is one thing, but Robbie wasn’t limited to this. He was also an important key in unlocking the full potential of Rock and Americana music.
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