Robbie Robertson Reflects on His Legendary Rock Career | Amanpour and Company

One of the premier songwriters of the Rock and Roll era, Hall of Fame legend Robbie Robertson, is best known as the lead guitarist and chief songwriter for The Band. He joins Walter to discuss his new solo album “Sinematic,” his work with Martin Scorsese in writing the music score for the film “The Irishman,” and a brilliant new documentary on The Band called “Once Were Brothers.”
Originally aired on October 15, 2019.
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@mondoenterprises6710]

He just grinned and shook my hand and 'No' was all he said. --RIP Robbie Robertson

[@janechapman6448]

What a talented, articulate, beautiful man and artist. You are loved and missed Robbie❤

[@davidthompson3136]

The Band, Big Pink, The Last Waltz (and his great tandem with Eric Clapton) Broken Arrow, Big Sky, American Roulette, The Weight ….. just so many gems to treasure, from a unique talent who added exactly what was needed and where. RIP Robbie - you will always have a huge admiring audience. Sincere condolences to your family, from New Zealand. 👍😎🇳🇿✨🌹

[@blueseruser]

What a refreshing conversation from PBS on this Musician who gave joy to millions,Robbie you are missed sorely by all your fans and friends.! RIP

[@prajnachan333]

One of my favorite musicians and human beings ever. What a life, what a body of music 🎶 A planetary treasure! 🕉 🎉

[@geraldrussell3351]

Likely the greatest group of musicians ever assembled I remember watching them practicing at the Concord tavern around the 1960ish backing Ronnie Hawkins.,back then they were raw and you could see what they became. the GOAT.

[@geekay1349]

I love reading all the comments showing love and respect for Robbie, so deserving, especially now that he is gone and greatly missed. He was a prince among men.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

His book Testimony is a must-read into his journey of music and his relationship around him.. Family the brotherhood , the making of the Last Waltz..he may be gone but will not be forgotten .Greatly appreciated this post thank you .

[@lifelong5425]

They create, play and amaze us all. The people of the music industry that suffer for their craft....Robbie Robertson quietly went about his version of that, and flourished with no fanfare....Always there, building a legacy of genius. RIP Robbie....gone, like many now, but will never be forgotten.

[@joeking433]

He was greedy.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Not really, he wrote the songs, and kept the group together, when 3 of them were doing heroin. They all made a lot of money, read Barney Hoskyns biograhpy of The Band and you will get a balanced view.@@joeking433

[@johncopeland3826]

@joeking433 And you were there in the room during negotiations between the 5 members ...weren't you ? Yeah right ! How do you know the truth and can comment so boldly ? As we say here in the UK ...bollocks !

[@hannejeppesen1809]

The Band has many fans, I'm one, have been since I first heard them in the late sixties. Of the 5 members, all multitalented the 2 personalities that stand out is Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm. Levon Helm wrote a book "This wheel is on fire", in it he really bashed Robbie, without taking any responsibility for his own shortcoming. Die hard Levon fans believe his story, how Robbie stole publishing rights from the others, how he broke up The Band. The truth is most more complicated, none of them were angels, they all did drugs. However, with Robbie the music always came first, he was up in the morning writing taking care of things, when some of the others (Rick, Richard and Levon) was too stoned to show up and practice. After several years of being the caretaker of the Band, Robbie was exhausted and he was also worried about pushing his(their)luck, there had already been several car accidents, one near fatal(Rick). He wanted to get off the road, thus the idea for The Last Waltz was born. Barney Hoskyns biograhpy of The Band, is a good account of what really happened. They all made a lot of money, Rick, Richard and Levon was doing heroin for a number of years, along with cocaine and god knows what else. They wasted money on drugs, and didn't know how to handle it. According to several accounts of people who where there, Levon spend lavishly, on hotels, build an elaborate house in Woodstock, then he writes a book and blames Robbie. Levon's fans believe his story, hook line and sinker, without bothering to dig a little deeper and find the truth. The hate Robbie and constantly blame him for everything, when the truth is must more complicated.@@johncopeland3826

[@terrygelinas4593]

RIP Robbie. Respect!

[@ComradeStiv]

Not sure why I'm only now appreciating what a pleasure Robbie interviews are. Totally binging on every one I can find. Natural pros like Walter bring out his best for sure, love it

[@joanradionoff2436]

Yes

[@joanradionoff2436]

No

[@joanradionoff8009]

0660p0p0

[@joeking433]

LOL!

[@kevinvilmont6061]

His speaking voice has is almost musical

[@guybeauregard]

I could listen to these two talking all day long. One thing I hoped to hear about (especially from Walter as the interviewer) is how Robbie wrote about New Orleans in Storyville--a wonderful and often overlooked album.

[@johncopeland3826]

Robbie Robertson was a man of his word ...right to the end ! When he did the Last Waltz he was saying goodbye to life on the road .If he had rejoined The Band to start touring again ,as he had stated previously ,The Last Waltz would have beeen one " big lie "? His word was his bond ! For me he was the coolest guy in the history of Rock n Roll ,he is my all time musical hero too .RIP .

[@tomgebarowski8156]

I still wish he wouldn't have left The Band after The Last Waltz, and given them even more years of great songwriting and clever hits. He instead moved on to movie soundtrack producing, mainly for Martin Scorsese films, and various other projects. He is one of the most subtly brilliant and talented guys in rock history. They were very young when they started, then hooked up with Dylan at an impressionable age turning him electric. They open minded dabbled in different genres and instrumentation. They had a tremendous effect on music & the culture of the late 60's. They did their drugs and alcohol, but were always at the forefront of the musical revolution of the 60's counterculture. A VERY gifted, talented, hard working, underrated band. One of Canada's finest....love exploring them and this interview w/Robbie.

[@fifthbusiness1678]

Well, it was more a case of the band not wanting to work with him (Robertson). There was tremendous resentment towards him after the Last Waltz premiered (for reasons that are obvious to those who have seen the film).

[@tomgebarowski8156]

@@fifthbusiness1678 can you explain this reaction in more detail? I thought that The Last Waltz was loved by everyone who has ever seen it...critics, fans, and The Band as well! I sure love it.

[@arlenemiracola3465]

Sadly it came down to the money. Though Robertson wrote most (not all) of the lyrics to the songs.. they collaborated on the music. There is no denying that those songs would not have had the impact on music history if they were played by anyone else but Levon, Richard, Rick, Garth and yes Robbie too. But they knew nothing about publishing rights, etc. and Robertson knew very well how that worked.... and took mostly all of the publishing rights when it should've been divided in some proportion that would have given them all some future income. Instead, they were forced to continue life on the road full time, which I always believed led to Richard's suicide after a small gig down in Florida. And yes, they would've partied a bunch of it away.... but it would've been there to fall back on later on. @@tomgebarowski8156

[@handle-schmandle]

@@arlenemiracola3465So you have completely bought into Levon’s false narrative of Robbie being a thief. They all got standard royalties for being in the band. Robbie got songwriting credit because he wrote the songs. All bands are collaborative; you don’t get a songwriting credit for showing up and playing your instrument. That was their job. You should try to get your information from more than one very biased source.

[@darrellkastin6738]

Funny how they had no problem at the time, only 10 years after Robbie left The Band. Garth and Danko both performed with Robbie after he left. They were fine. Levon went where he shouldn't have gone when he cowrote his book. @@arlenemiracola3465

[@MissPerriwinkle]

watching the last waltz now on tv....damn fine movie....thank u robbie !!!!

[@seamusin1697]

I find it still holds up well today even if the clothing and decor look a bit dated. Many of the performances are top notch. To have seen all those musicians play together live must have been extraordinary and mind blowing. It is hard to believe that Robertson is almost 80 years old now. Though he has put on some weight and looks older he still, in many ways, appears young for his age and as if he has no intention of slowing down. The fact that Manuel, Danko, and Helm have passed is quite sad but at least we have Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson still around to keep the flame alive in some measure.

[@juniemoon1528]

@@seamusin1697😢

[@kevindean1327]

"I was an only child" I think that statement is highly significant!!!

[@vogparis09]

Who found out who his biological father was years later.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

@@vogparis09 And his stepfather was abusive to both Robbie and his mother, both verbally and physically. Eventually his mother divorced him, she was encouraging Robbie, and for awhile several of the Band members stayed at her house, and she would cook for them.

[@patriciajohnson3017]

Don’t hate Robbie. He was writing all the songs and managing the band while some were strung out. Maybe he got tired of babysitting them.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

He did, Barney Hoskyns biograhpy writes about it. Robbie was exhausted the was the caretaker, babysitter of 3 heroin addicts. Robbie was married with 3 small children, his family kept him grounded, somewhat. Robbie did drugs too, but the music always came first with Robbie, again as Hoskyns writes, Robbie was Mr. Responsible. Like he says in this interview his stepfather was physically abusive to Robbie and his mother, I can imagine this shaped his personality later on.

[@gaylethomson]

Truer words were never spoken.

[@gaylethomson]

Total truth!

[@zenzen1916]

😏... viewed " The Last Waltz" countless times...always hoping for a different ending...

[@peterjohnson1761]

Great interview.. the guy asking the questions was humble, relaxed, knowledgeable & let Robbie speak 🗣️

[@kevinvilmont6061]

❤ you Robbie

[@danyellerobinson5940]

A master storyteller.

[@Blonde111]

Great interview… thank you

[@danapeck5382]

Buñuel? Fell off my chair, love it

[@zenzen1916]

🤔Robbie and Levon were meant to play together...epic.. Someday , I believe, they will again...😇🎶😇

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Then you believe in fairy tales.

[@zenzen1916]

I do believe in an after life..my choice ..Levon was a friend to me and I believe his energy lives on in some form✨💫☮️

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

@@zenzen1916 I don't know about their "energy", whatever that means, but their musical influence, which derives from their creativity and talent, lives on among actual living people. But as you say, it's your choice whether or not to believe in fairy tales.

[@danapeck5382]

With Paul Allen in attendance, maybe playing rhythm

[@justrighttrack4161]

I get your drift, as I think of eternity often & do keep looking up🕊️🎶What an influence left on the world of music here ➖interesting history tho' some very tragic with some of The Band members; as ever tho' may they RIP from their troubles on the journey of this life, where seems just a short time juxtapositioned eternity⏳

[@RVRRUN00]

Awesome Interview!!!

[@wendythorne25]

RIP Robbie🙏

[@martinobrien7110]

That Voice .

[@martinobrien7110]

Big Time .

[@prajnachan333]

"Healing Through Music" 🎶 🔥 🕉 ☮️ 🕊 💖

[@PhukIT1865]

It's amazing to me how two "brothers" could be so far apart at the end. For example the Last Waltz Robertson was euphoric about how great they played and Helms was like ..."meh"

[@hannejeppesen1809]

That is very negative on Helm's part, he certainly played and sang well that night, as did the other members.

[@timbober1]

My bad for not realizing why I enjoyed the music is Scorsese’s movies until late. I was pretty bummed out after the last waltz. Robbie was right to end it and I’m sorry there were hard feelings with the others. I know Robbie wrote most of the music, but never forget Garth Hudson who is still with us. His arrangements were a huge part of The Bands sound. RIP to all who have died. Hang in there Garth.

[@FOXLIES]

The greatest American rock band was 80% CANADIAN!!

[@christopherpike8552]

Duh!

[@user-ig7so1xb6h]

In 1968 my Ancient History teacher walked into our classroom with Music From Big Pink under his arm and it blew us all away.. Robertson is an amazing composer, where do all of these fabulous songs come from? He's Canadian yet his music sounds so American I just don't get it.

[@charleshendrix232]

Robbie I have a hard time accepting he is gone. I feel lost

[@richernest3359]

Robertson /Chopra Thompson Hold Me Know look a like Thompson twins.Amanpour is my happy place.Post the Nobel book Prize by the two excellent scholar buskers who went head to head brilliance.

[@martysmith5260]

Boy, Levon dragged Robertson over the coals in his book.

[@briandufoe3719]

I could listen to Robbie a long,long time.great interview.

[@joegee1000]

He says he "doesn't know what went wrong..." Everyone knows what went wrong but Robbie? Levon fell on hard times because Robbie claimed all of the royalty money for the Band's music and didn't share any with the rest of the family, He had the "legal right" to do it, and so said "Screw the rest of you suckers" while taking it to the bank. This was, in Boz Scaggs words, " A dirty low down." It was a major betrayal. He says that Levon came to him and asked if "he would mind " if they used the Band name for their gigs. The only reason that Levon asked is likely because with all of the betrayal, he was probably afraid that Robertson might try to sue them. Hopefully Garth will write a memoir telling it like it really was in the end.

[@iamreg1965]

Robbie explains what went wrong. Richard, Levon and Rick became very wealthy men almost overnight after the success of the first 2 albums and the touring revenue and had more money than they knew what to do with and spent more time snorting or drinking it away than keeping their eye on the ball like Robbie did. Robbie became, essentially, The Band from Stage Fright onwards. Sole songwriter, arranger and manager almost. Leaving Garth aside, the other 3, as Robbie said, had addictions that were making their participation difficult. By 1976 he had had enough. He told the rest of them so. To be brutally honest Robbie has been very gracious in all this and Levon, God rest his soul, knows that too.

[@janechapman6448]

You know nothing😂

[@iamreg1965]

@@janechapman6448 If you say so Jane😉

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Reading Robbie's book and Barney Hoskyns biography of The Band you are correct. They all made a lot of money, Robbie didn't claim all the royalties, they were his, he wrote they songs. He could have denied the other Band members using the name of The Band when they wanted to get back together in the early eighties. He also told Bob Dylan, when Dylan just wanted to hire Robbie only, but Robbie told him, that he had band members and it was the group or nothing. Stop with the Robbie hate, he was not perfect, nor was the other members.@@iamreg1965

[@kevinvilmont6061]

Im glad Robbie did not “get in the way” of his former band mates. He gets a lot of sh_t over writing credits.

[@pulldpin67]

What was the riff with him and Levon....? I would take Levons side..

[@kevindean1327]

Totally. I'm going to do some serious research though!!

[@garygiff2024]

Are you biased when saying this?

[@garygiff2024]

Are you biased in saying this i wonder?

[@chairlesnicol672]

@@garygiff2024 Robbie was native American or should I say native -canadian pole might say racist rather than biased! though !! Also were u aware Christy amandpour is lesbian in her orientation not that it really has a bearing on "the band members like Robby etc! But a lot of creme-de-la-creme CNN reporters are gay eg besides her Anderson Cooper-Don Lemon- Richard Quest - Andy Cohen - reporters / news. presenters too numerous to mention but however these days the issue is what used to b normal is now abnormal n what used to be non - normal is normal ! LOL !

[@johnscialfa7391]

there was no riff...until levon went broke...he was a great singer and artist but had substance abuse problems...robbie said keep the band..do what u want..and that still was not enough..robbie wrote almost everything...need proof?robbie great solo material last 40 yrs...levon...nothing...u only need common sense to know what happened.....and levon was my favorite.

[@zenzen1916]

🤔... It's best that Robbie didn't follow down his "uncle's" path..he might have ended up like Manuel... they'll find a way to deplete you....

[@markscutti9682]

Love the story, love the sound, love the band. But Robbie, you should have taken care of your brothers.

[@seamusin1697]

What makes you think he didn't try to? I loved The Band and thought all of its members had immense talent and artistry in their own right but Richard Manuel and Rick Danko had alcohol and substance abuse problems and Levon Helm pursued acting and solo projects before getting back together with the others minus Robertson. The one who seemed to stay above the fray of everything was Garth Hudson who essentially became sought after to appear in the musical recordings of others. They were great in their day but a rock and roll band was considered very fortunate at that time if it lasted 10 years or more. Many of the problems Robertson alludes to in this interview were also common to other bands of that era. That being said, I think one of Helm's major issues with Robbie Robertson was that he felt he took up too much of the spotlight and credit for their music while making The Last Waltz. Robbie and Martin Scorsese were friends thus much of the way the show was orchestrated and filmed was influenced by Robertson who emerged as the de facto leader of the group which annoyed Helm who found Robertson's participation in and oversight of the film self indulgent and a misrepresentation of the creative process and partnership of the group. I am not sure Robbie deliberately intended this as he was eager to get involved in cinema and movie making on some level and saw this as an opportunity by filming the group's swan song performance. Still, the film is an extraordinary document of an era where a subcategory of music was emerging from the synthesis of different styles I e. folk, blues, rockabilly, country, rock & roll, etc. which became referred to as Americana which The Band was instrumental in making more accessible to audiences and as a bridge between those of the Woodstock era and those who were growing up during the 70's.

[@markscutti9682]

Séamusin No, I don’t think he tried! I will repeat it, Robbie, you should have taken care of your “brothers”

[@seamusin1697]

@@markscutti9682 What was he supposed to do? He is not a trained addiction specialist and sometimes one needs to gain distance from the cycle of addiction being played out in others to preserve their own health, well being, and mental sanity. The Band reformed and invited him to join with them again and he was at a different place in his life and chose to focus on his solo career endeavors. There is nothing wrong with that and it doesn't mean he cared for them any less by doing so.

[@johnscialfa7391]

stupid comment mark...if it was not for robbie u would not even know who rick,richard,levon or garth were...silly boy.

[@johnscialfa7391]

@@seamusin1697 great points

[@dreamwell2020]

This man aimed high as a songwriter - he made little cinematic stories carried on music.

[@eamonnmorris5331]

Much as I mourn his loss, I somehow don't trust what Robbie says. I am his biggest fan - his songwriting, his guitar, his singing - but I still somehow don't trust him. He is, to the Band, what Glenn Frey or Don Henley was to the Eagles. The problem is - as is evident from this conversation, and just like Frey and Henley - he is not willing to acknowledge or fully admit that in his mind he was never just 'one of the boys'.

[@Vibeagain]

Well he doesn't need you to trust him for something as banal as that, and neither do we

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

Meanwhile, Robbie Robertson did his fair share of Cocaine even after The Band ended. So come. Robertson was the songwriter and a great one at that . He played the guitar great. No voice. And the band had the best 3 singers. Period .and a wizard behind organ. Its a shame actually.

[@charleshendrix232]

Levon went broke because he was stupid. Robbie was his friend not his brother. He let him go broke

[@charleshendrix232]

Robbie makes some errors of memory. He didn’t want to be The Band any more. And he should just admit it

[@hannejeppesen1809]

He didn't want to tour anymore, he was tired of the drugs, car crashes etc. The others were not interested in making music without touring.

[@hankd18]

He should have shared some of the credit where it was due....greedy jerk

[@Vibeagain]

dip