Robbie Robertson, The Band co-founder and guitarist, dead at 80

Canadian guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson died Wednesday in LA

Robbie Robertson, The Band guitarist, died Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 80.

Robertson served as the lead guitarist for Bob Dylan in the ‘60s and ’70s, and collaborated with Martin Scorsese on a number of films, including his most recent work, "Killers of the Flower Moon."

"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," his manager, Jared Levine, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

‘HOOSIERS’ ACTOR ROBERT SWAN DEAD AT 78

robbie robertson the band co founder and guitarist dead at 80

Robbie Robertson, lead singer of The Band, died Wednesday. He was 80. (Getty Images)

"He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina."

Levine, his manager of 34 years, added, "Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, 'Killers of the Flower Moon.'"

Robertson was born in Toronto and raised on the Six Nations Reserve. He began playing guitar at age 10. By the time he was 16, he and Levon Helm formed the Hawks and were the backing band for rockabilly star Ronnie Hawkins. 

robbie robertson the band co founder and guitarist dead at 80

Robertson was an accomplished songwriter, film soundtrack producer and composer. (Don Dixon)

"The Hawks went on to play with Bob Dylan on his legendary ‘Going Electric’ tours in 1965 and 1966," Levine shared. "Moving to Woodstock in 1967, Robertson and his bandmates recorded the seminal "basement tapes" with Dylan before changing their name to The Band and releasing the groundbreaking ‘Music from Big Pink’ album in 1968." 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Authored by Tracy Wright via FoxNews August 9th 2023