Ronnie Wood

Robbie Robertson , guitarist and songwriter for Canadian-American group The Band , has died aged 80.

A statement from his manager said he died on Wednesday surrounded by His Family after a long illness.

The Band were an influential act in the late 1960s and also the subjects of The Last Waltz, a 1978 Martin Scorsese film about their Farewell Concert .

Robertson wrote some of their best-known songs, including The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

Born Jaime Royal Robertson in Toronto in 1943, he left home to pursue a career in music aged 16.

As well as their own music, The Band were known for a spell touring as Bob Dylan 's backing band before the success of their 1968 debut album, Music From Big Pink .

They released a string of acclaimed albums during the 1970s and, after playing their last show as a full band in 1976, reunited without Robertson for A Number of tours and studio releases throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Along with keyboardist Garth Hudson , Robertson was one of two surviving members of The Band 's classic line-up.

After The Last Waltz, he collaborated with Scorsese on the soundtracks to some of The Director 's best-known films, including 1980 classic Raging Bull and 2019's The Irishman .

Paying tribute, Scorsese called Robertson a " giant" and " a constant in My Life and work. "

" Long before we ever met, his music played a central role in My Life - me and millions and millions of Other People all over this world, " He Said . " His effect on the art form was profound and lasting. "

Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood said: " Such sad news about Robbie Robertson - he was a Lovely Man , a great friend and will be dearly missed. "

Stevie van Zandt, a member of Bruce Springsteen 's E Street Band, said Robertson was a " good friend" and " underrated brilliant guitar player".

Canadian singer Bryan Adams posted a photo of Robertson and wrote: " Thanks for The Amazing music and The Great hangs. "

Source of news: bbc.com