Born: July 5, 1943 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Jaime Robert Klegerman popularly known as Robbie Robertson is a guitarist, singer and songwriter born on 5th July, 1943 in Toronto, Canada. Robbie is best remembered for his wonderful performances as a member of “The Band”. As per Rolling Stone magazine he ranked Seventy eight in the list of best hundred Guitarists to be ever born on this planet
Robbie Robertson’s father was a Jew and his mother a Mohawk. Robbie adopted his stepfather's surname after his mother married him. His first experience of music was at Six Nations of the Grand River 1ST Nation, where he went to live during the summers as it was the place of his mother's family folks. Robbie Robertson learned to play guitar at a young age and had written songs and performed in many live shows as a teenager.
Robertson had begun performing with several groups around Toronto by 1958, like “Robbie and Robots”, “Little Caeser and the Consuls” and “Thumper and the Trumbones”. As an Artist Robbie got acquainted to singer Ronnie Hawkins in1959, who was leading a band named “The Hawks” after having shifted to Canada. In 1960 two Robertson songs were recorded by Hawkins, “Someone Like You” and “Hey Boba Lu” on his LP Mr. Dynamo. The relationship eventually developed and Robertson got the opportunity to be the lead guitarist of “The Hawks” and went on many tours with the group. After an association of three years Robbie Robertson decided to part away from Hawkins in 1963. Many compilations and albums of Ronnie Hawkins have Robertson appearing on them.
In 1964 Robbie Robertson became part of the group consisting of Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel and American Levon Helm, the quintet thought of many names including funny ones like “The Honkies” but ultimately named them as “The Band”. The Band was lauded from their first album, Music from the Big Pink in1968, and was appreciated as rock music's eminent group. The Band’s music was extensively covered and praised by Rolling Stone magazine. Robertson also sang a few songs for The Band, but was principally regarded as the chief songwriter. Robbie Robertson was often looked at as the de facto leader of the band.
Robbie Robertson left the band in 1976 as he had stressed out after going on tours for 16 years. He was officially acknowledged as the The Band’s songwriter this ensured that Robbie earns enough royalties to live without stressing himself. Robertson made the albums “Beautiful Noise” for Neil Diamond in 1976 and “Love At Greek” in 1977. Robertson composed background music for Scorsese's “Raging Bull” and “King Of Comedy” released in 1978. From 1997 till 2000, Robertson was busy with documentaries and side projects. Robertson was bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 from the Academy of Songwriters.Walk of Fame in Canada listed Robbie Robertson‘s name in 2003.
On July 28th, 2007, Robertson appeared briefly on stage to play for Eric Clapton's Guitar Festival going on in Bridgeview. According to unconfirmed sources Robbie Robertson is working on creating an album with Eric Clapton.
On April 5, 2011, 429 Records will release “How To Become Clairvoyant”, Robbie Robertson's fifth solo album and his first record in more than 10 years. Guitar virtuosos Eric Clapton (who co-wrote three tracks with Robertson), Tom Morello and Robert Randolph guest on the album, which Robertson co- produced with Marius de Vries. “How To Become Clairvoyant” also features Steve Winwood and Trent Reznor as well as vocalists Angela McCluskey, Rocco Deluca, Dana Glover and Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. Bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Ian Thomas lay down the groove throughout.
1968 Music from Big Pink
1969 The Band
1970 Stage Fright
1971 Cahoots
1972 Rock of Ages
1973 Moondog Matinee
1975 Northern Lights - Southern Cross
1977 Islands
1978 The Last Waltz
1995 Live at Watkins Glen Albums with Bob Dylan and The Band 1974 Before the Flood
1974 Planet Waves
1975 The Basement Tapes
1998 The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966,
The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert Solo recordings 1987 Robbie Robertson (featuring U2, Peter Gabriel)
1991 Storyville
1994 Music for The Native Americans
1998 Contact from the Underworld of Redboy
2011 How To Become Clairvoyant Film credits Robertson is credited in the following films: 1978 The Last Waltz (performer/producer)
1980 Carny (actor/writer/producer)
1980 Raging Bull (music producer)
1983 The King of Comedy (music producer)
1986 The Color of Money (songs and score)
1991 Until the End of the World (music)
1994 Jimmy Hollywood (music)
1995 Casino (music consultant)
1995 The Crossing Guard (actor – Roger)
1996 Phenomenon (executive soundtrack producer)
1996 Dakota Exile (narrator)
1999 Forces of Nature (creative music consultant)
1999 Wolves (narrator)
1999 Any Given Sunday (songs)
2000 Dancing at the Blue Iguana (song/performer)
2001 The Life and Times of Robbie Robertson
2002 Gangs of New York (executive music producer)
2002 Skins (film) (writer/performer)
2004 Jenifa (co-producer/executive producer)
2004 Ladder 49 (original song Shine Your Light)
2006 The Departed (music producer)
2007 Eric Clapton: Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 (performer)
2008 Mardik: From Baghdad to Hollywood (actor)
2009 Shutter Island (music supervisor)
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