More Indigenous Peoples Day Music
Previous (Summer Videos) - - - Next (Polaris Prize Long List)
Showing posts with label Robbie Robertson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robbie Robertson. Show all posts
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Robbie Robertson Nominated for an Oscar!
The late, legendary musician Robbie Robertson (from Six-Nations) was recently nominated for an Academy Award (aka Oscar) for his score on Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon.
Links: Robbie Robertson, More Robbie Robertson Stories, Video above courtesy of Release - Topic
Other Canadian nominees include:
- Past Lives by Toronto's Celine Song (Best Original Screenplay + Best Picture)
- London's Ryan Gosling (Barbie) (Best Supporting Actor)
- To Kill a Tiger, from Toronto's Nisha Pahuja (Best Documentary)
- The Last Repair Shop by Halifax's Ben Proudfoot (Best Documentary Short Film)
- Invincible by Montreal's Vincent René-Lortie (Best Live Action Short Film)
The 96th Academy Awards ceremony will be televised on March 10 at 7pm through ABC.
Previous (Robbie Burns Day Videos) - - - Next (National Kazoo Day Videos)
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Happy National Electric Guitar Day ft Bill Dillon
Update of 2018 Post
For National Electric Guitar Day we'd like to feature Hamilton guitarist extraordinaire Bill Dillon. Click here for a bio.
Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories, More Stories/Covers of the Band, More CHCH Videos, Video above courtesy of Bill King
Links: The Boomers, More Boomers Stories, Video above courtesy of Riley Lake Productions
Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Barb Pitre
Click here for more Bill Dillon Stories
Previous (Blues Blast Music Award Winners) - - - Next (Ameripolitan Award Nominees)
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Remembering Superstar Robbie Robertson
The music world is reeling after the loss of superstar Robbie Robertson who passed away on August 9, 2023. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Robbie was best known as the guitarist and main songwriter with The Band. He also worked with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan, Martin Scorcese, local guitarist Bill Dillon and many others. Originally from Six Nations and Brantford, Robbie gained worldwide fame through The Band and his incredible solo work.
Robbie's family released this statement:
Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, his ex-wife, Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine’s partner Kenny. He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina. Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Centre.
Media
- Hamilton Spectator: Obituary, Reflections on his legacy, Director Daniel Roher remembers Robbie,
- CHCH: Obituary, Six Nations Honours Robbie's Memory
- Brantford Expositor: Six Nations helped shape Robbie Robertson's musical career
- CBC: Daniel Lanois remembers Robbie
- Rolling Stone
- BBC
- YouTube: CBC, CTV, AXS TV
Social Media Reaction
Bill Dillon (Hamilton guitarist who recorded and performed with Robbie)
It's not that I'm at a loss for words
That would be ridiculous, but I have to find some or even one word.
I was born in Toronto in the early 50s and into the 60s so there's the awareness of his guitar playing, it's not about that.
Leaving the Hawk for Bob Dylan, it's not about that
The emerging Band and each of their unbelievable albums, it's not about that.
All the records and TV shows and huge concerts in Europe we did together, the movie soundtracks, the Native records, it's not about that.
I'm crawling out of an abyss I've never had to before with so much difficulty.
Soo many friends gone and artists gone it's been rough enough to say the least.
Dan Lanois gave me the opportunity to experience something I'd only dreamed of all through my formative years, Dan is my friend and I love him dearly.
Robbie Robertson gave me the opportunity to realize my dreams, he's my friend and I love him dearly
So what is it that's so difficult to comprehend for me?
Through the shock and emotional collapse of this loss, while trying to come to grips with the reality, it took my best friend Barb to say the magic words "he trusted you".
That's what this is about, Trust.
These friendships were forged on trust, through every endeavor and every challenge together every success there was that one magic word, trust.
To look into each others eyes and know without saying anything at all, friendship and trust spoke volumes enough to proceed with anything at hand and it Had to come from the heart, That is friendship, that is trust.
No amount of money or success can buy this
No amount of gratitude can convey this
No amount of memories can replace this
That's what I will miss about Robbie: looking him in the eyes and experiencing his trust,in me.
It's humbling, it's devastating, and I find it difficult to trust anybody who doesn't know those two words in their heart.
Robbie Robertson: It's difficult to accept the passing of members of a generation that changed music and in some ways the world along with it. I first heard his name as a teenage musician in Fort William Ontario when I was starting my journey into the world of blues and R&B. It was 1966. No social media then, all word of mouth. Guitar players I would meet spoke of Toronto heroes Domenic Troiano, Robbie Robertson and others in the terms of legend. The word was out, Robbie was the best, a master of the Telecaster. He`d been with Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Dylan and story was that he and the Hawks were hiding out somewhere in the U.S. preparing to break out with their own music. And then Music From Big Pink and all the great records that followed.
Personally I was wrapped up in schooling myself, learning my craft in the blues, a landscape I knew The Band had already passed through. My record collection, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and The Band. I`ve always been a fan, the 2nd album, The Band (the brown one) was a wedding present in 1969 and I was fortunate to see three live Band shows before the original lineup wrapped up in 1976. We`re all very fortunate to have lived during an era when Robbie Robertson created music. He gave us a lot to be thankful for.
We all have different and sometimes very unique points of entry or connection with artists. With Robbie Robertson of course I was around when he was playing with Dylan. I bought ‘Big Pink’ the year it was released. I followed The Band’s career arc - as well as much of Robertson’s solo work. But my most felt connection with him was when he collaborated with another one of my most deeply admired musicians, film composer Alex North. North composed the scores for the groundbreaking ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, plus ‘Spartacus’, Liz Taylor's ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and the immortal ‘’Unchained Melody’ among many others. Robbie Robertson and Alex North worked together on the music for 1980’s ‘Carny’.
My Robbie Robertson story:
I used to go with my friend John to the Horseshoe Tavern almost every year to see Colin Linden. He would always bring Rick Danko and Garth Hudson as his guests.
One year the Band was being inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame so Colin did one of his annual shows with Rick and Garth.
John and I were at the front as close as we could get to the stage as usual. I think I was about 18 or 19.
Rumors had been going around that Robbie was going to play. Suddenly, out he stepped onto the Horseshoe stage. Robbie Robertson. With Rick Danko and Garth Hudson. Right in front of my eyes.
I grabbed the 35 mm camera that I snuck in and snapped a couple of quick photos. I’m going to find the negatives one of these days. They did two songs together and it was glorious.
Earlier in the night, Ronnie Hawkins had come out and sang a few songs with them as well.
“Just like the old days in Port Dover, eh Ricky?” I overheard Ronnie say to Rick Danko.
For this teenager, it was a life-changing evening.
Video above courtesy of Robbie Robertson
Video above courtesy of Robbie Robertson
Links: Robbie Robertson, More Robbie Robertson Stories, Video above courtesy of Robbie Robertson
Previous (Cat Day Videos) - - - Next (Lynyrd Skynyrd Debut: 50th Anniversary + Covers)
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Remembering the Legendary Ronnie Hawkins
The music world lost a titan on May 29, 2022 when Canadian icon Ronnie Hawkins passed away. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.
Ronnie was born in Arkansas but moved to Ontario early in his career due to the great reception he received here. He's also responsible for helping launch the careers of many musicians such as the Band, Crowbar and many more.
Media Links
Social Media Reaction
My heart sank when I heard “The Hawk” just flew into the sunset.
The story of The Band began with Ronnie Hawkins. He was our mentor. He taught us the rules of the road.
Ronnie Hawkins brought me down from Canada to the Mississippi delta when I was 16. He recorded two songs I’d written and thought I might be talented. He tried me out on guitar and bass the only problem was; I’m too young to play in the clubs they toured, I was too inexperienced, not a good enough musician yet, and there are NO Canadians in southern rock and roll bands. But I practiced until my fingers were bleeding and he ended up hiring me against all odds.
Ron prided himself in always having top notch players in his group. Levon Helm his drummer in the Hawks and I talked Ron into hiring Rick Danko on bass and vocals, Richard Manuel on piano and vocals and Garth Hudson on organ and sax. Along with Levon and me this became the magic combination.
Ronnie was the godfather. The one who made this all happen.
He had us rehearsing constantly into the wee hours. We balked about it, but we got better and better. Our goal whether we knew it or not.
After the Hawks left Ron and went out on our own, we joined up with Bob Dylan. Next the Hawks became The Band and the rest is history, as they say.
All starting out with Ronnie Hawkins.
He was not only a great artist, a tremendous performer and bandleader, but had a style of humor unequaled. Fall down funny and completely unique. Yep, God only made one of those. And he will live in our hearts forever.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Bless his soul.
This is a tough one. RIP Ronnie Hawkins, a brilliant, hilarious, once in a lifetime entertainer and family friend. My first stint as a Hawk was in the summer at 15 years old before going back to school. Thanks Ronnie for so many laughs and lessons, a musical education like no other, and thanks for letting a young kid wear your hat.
Such a generous man, he was a father to me, I joined at age 19, but he told everyone I was 16 lol. Ronnie Hawkins introduced me to the real rock and roll lifestyle. We played everywhere from concert halls to biker bars, to supper clubs to strip joints. Through Ronnie, I met BB King and Johnny Rivers and Roy Buchanan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley and Ian and Sylvia. We played with Levon Helm and Dr John and had a great band with King Biscuit Boy, John Till, Mike Short, Stan Szeleste, Carl Mathers, Rob Johnston and Wayne King to name a few who are all lifelong friends. An amazing legacy of great entertainment; humour and music. RIP Ronnie Hawkins.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the legendary Ronnie “The Hawk” Hawkins today.
While I was plying my trade as a young musician living in Toronto in the 1980’s, I always looked up to Ronnie Hawkins. He was the “king” of the local “Rock’n’Roll” scene while I was just starting out. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to catch his live act on numerous occasions and eventually got to meet the man...more than once.
It turned out “The Hawk” was a boxing fan, just like me. We’d run into each other at boxing matches, whether it was a live event featuring Canadian Olympian Shawn O’Sullivan, or a closed circuit match featuring Oscar De La Hoya, Ronnie Hawkins was always there. “The Hawk” was a true “man of the people” who loved to talk about music, boxing, and was always quick with a one-liner.
As I reflect today on this “larger-than-life” character, it’s clear “The Hawk” had a huge influence on my own music career. We both loved “Rockabilly” music, playing with a high-energy, talented band of musicians, and putting on a show. Thanks Ronnie!!
RIP “THE HAWK”
He will never be forgotten.
I got to meet Ronnie Hawkins at his home in March. Gary Lucas invited Wendell Ferguson, Mike McCurlie and myself to come play a few BAND songs with accordion, guitar and mando. He loved it. Even said I had a bit of Garth Hudson going on in my playing which was a big compliment for me. Woo, the stories. LOL! Great to have met The Legend, The Hawk and sad to see him go.
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band
Very sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Ronnie Hawkins. Even though Ronnie was originally American his finger prints are all over Canadian Rock'n'roll & Blues history. Especially here in the Hammer and Ontario you'd be hard pressed to find a Rock or Blues group that wasn't touched or directly influenced in some way by the Hawk.
The Smoke Wagon Blues Band is no different: We got our big break opening for the Hawk back in 2003 at The Burlington Sound of Music Festival. Ronnie had been fighting cancer and hadn't played for some years so 50,000 folks packed into Spencer Smith Park for the show. At that time we were still holding residency in the small cubs of Hamilton's Hess Village when the Hawk requested a local blues band open for him. We felt so out of our element walking out on that big stage, we couldn't see where the crowd ended gulp! Ronnie was so gracious with us, offering lots of liquid courage back in his trailer as encouragement haha. After the show he invited us back to his trailer for lots of party favors, and to give us shit for covering the same song in our set list (Born in Chicago) haha When he realized my mom was trying to talk to me through the back gates he said get your mom in here whom was dying to meet him.
We most definitely got the full Ronnie experience that evening. I met Ronnie a few times over the years but I'll always remember that first moment. Its pretty damn cool to get the chance to share the stage with one of your idols and he sure made it special. Long live the Hawk in our musical memories.
Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Duane Allman, Video above courtesy of Deep Track Zach
Video above courtesy of Classic Music Videos & Pictures 1960s
Links: The Band, More Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of plimfec
Links: Ronnie Hawkins, More Ronnie Hawkins Stories,
Previous ('Grand River Blues Society' Solo Blues Challange Rep Chosen)
Monday, June 7, 2021
CONGRATS! More 2021 Juno Winners
The televised 50th Juno Awards were broadcast on June 6, 2021. During the streamed opening night gala, a number of local artists brought home awards. Click here for our report on that.
You can view the show below.
Video above courtesy of CBC Music
Below is a complete list of winners from the broadcast.
- Juno Fan Choice: Shawn Mendes
- Album: After Hours by The Weeknd
- Artist: The Weeknd
- Breakthrough Artist: JP Saxe
- Breakthrough Group: Crown Lands
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame: Jann Arden
- Humanitarian Award: Tragically Hip
- Pop Album: Changes by Justin Bieber
- Special Achievement Award: Pegi Cecconi
- Traditional R&B/Soul Recording: Solid by Savannah Re
Video Highlights
The Band's Robbie Robertson from Six Nations wished the Junos a happy 50th
----------
Feist and the surviving members of the Tragically Hip perform.
Links: Tragically Hip, More Tragically Hip Stories, Feist, More Feist Stories, Video above courtesy of CBC Music
Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories
Previous (Juno Opening Night Gala Winners) - - - Next (Portugal Day Videos)
Previous (Juno Opening Night Gala Winners) - - - Next (Portugal Day Videos)
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock (Videos by The Band, Blood Sweat and Tears, CSNY)
Video above courtesy of outlander
Links: The Band, More Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of bandmusic1968
Links: Blood Sweat and Tears, Mores BS&T Stories, Videos above Blood, Sweat & Tears - Topic
Video above courtesy of lrh1966
Links: CSNY, More CSNY Stories, Video above courtesy of anippygirl
Previous (News Roundup) - - - Next (News Roundup)
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
CONGRATS! The Band Win 2017 Polaris Heritage Prize
The jury of the 2017 Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize honoured the classic status of The Band's self titled album by choosing it as their winner in the 1960-1975 category. The Band featured a few local members (Rick Danko was from Norfolk and Robbie Robertson came from Six Nations).
Links: The Band, More Stories of The Band, Video above courtesy of Nalencer
There were a few other local nominees as well:
- The Band (Norfolk/Six Nations): Music From the Big Pink
- Daniel Lanois (Hamilton): Acadie
- Constantines (Guelph): Shine A Light.
- John Oswald (Kitchener): Plunderphonics
- Bruce Cockburn: Stealing Fire (ft Hamilton's Colina Phillips on background vocals)
- Sarah McLachlan: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (ft Hamilton's Bill Dillon on guitar
CONGRATS!
1960-1975
- Public: Gordon Lightfoot - Lightfoot!
Links: Gordon Lightfoot, More Gordon Lightfoot Stories, Video above courtesy of diunnerfs
- Jury: The Band - The Band
- Public: Harmonium - L’Heptade
- Jury: Glenn Gould - Bach: The Goldberg Variations
- Public: The Tragically Hip: Fully Completely
Links: Tragically Hip, More Tragically Hip Stories, Video above courtesy of GordonYYZ
- Jury: Eric’s Trip: Love Tara
- Public: Feist - Let It Die
- Jury: k-os - Joyful Rebellion
Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners
Previous (Halloween Videos: Fraser/Daley, Bloodshot Bill, Lynne Hanson) - - - Next (Maple Blues Award Nominees)
Thursday, March 24, 2016
News Roundup (Martin Verrall, Michelle Titian, Frank Cosentino)
News
Local
- Barber Shop Podcasts: Martin Verrall, Bassist Show #1, Michelle Titian
More Martin Verrall Stories
Links: Michelle Titian, More Michelle Titian Stories
Videos above courtesy of Barber Shop Podcast
- Tim Hicks on Top Country's Best Party Songs List
- Whitehorse Earns CRMA Nomination
- HellBent Rockers Debut Album
Video Mini-Documentary about Frank Cosentino
Canada
The Adventures of Trebleclef, the Hamilton Blues Lovers Monkey
A while back, Trebleclef loved catching Sonny Del-Rio and the 5-Star Revue at Saturday Nite Blues in Hamilton.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
