Remembering Robbie Robertson, legendary songwriter, musician and guitarist for The Band

The momentous talent of Robbie Robertson and the mark he left in the music industry was what his friends, fellow artistsand fans highlighted Wednesday, as news of the Canadian songwriter's death became widely known.

The legendary musician and guitarist for The Banddied in Los Angelesat the age of 80.

Film director Martin Scorsese, who had collaborated on projects with Robertsonfor decades including The Last Waltz, Raging Bull and the forthcoming Killers of the Flower Moonsaid his late friend was someone he could always count on.

"Robbie Robertson was one of my closest friends, a constant in my life and my work," Scorsese said in a statement on Wednesday. "I could always go to him as a confidant. A collaborator.An adviser. I tried to be the same for him."

WATCH | Robertson on The Band's sounds:

Robbie Robertson on The Band's 'timeless quality'

1 year ago

Duration 1:35

Robbie Robertson reflects on the process of gathering music, sounds and rhythms during The Band's early touring that contributed to their unique sound in a 2016 CBC interview.

Scorsese said he was drawn to his friend's music long before they had the chance to meet in person.

"It goes without saying that he was a giant, that his effect on the art form was profound and lasting," Scorsese said.

'An icon a poet and a scholar'

His star shone just as brightly in Canada, as it did on the music stage.

"Canada has lost an icon, and music has lost a poet and a scholar," actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland wroteon X,the social media network formerly known as Twitter.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted a tribute of his own, saying"Robbie Robertson was a big part of Canada's outsized contributions to the arts," addingthat his thoughts were with the songwriter's "family, friends, and fans who are mourning his loss."

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, also writing on X, said "the music world has lost a great one," with Robertson's death.

"Keep making that Beautiful Noise in the sky, Robbie. I'll miss you," Diamond said.

WATCH | Robbie Robertson reflects on his career in 2011:

Robbie Robertson

13 years ago

Duration 22:19

Music icon Robbie Robertson talks about his career as a guitarist and songwriter.

Canadian rocker Bryan Adams expressed gratitude for the time hegot to spend with Robertson.

"RIP Robbie Robertson. Thanks for the amazing music and the great hangs, especially photographing you in L.A.not so long ago," Adams posted Wednesday.

'A good friend and a genius'

Stevie Van Zandt, the E Street Band guitarist and Sopranos actor, called Robertson "a good friend and a genius."

"The Band's music shocked the excess out of the Renaissance and were an essential part of the final back-to-the-roots trend of '60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitar player adding greatly to Bob Dylan's best tour & best album," Van Zandt shared on X.

Rocker Rod Stewart's Instagram page featured ablack-and-white photo of Robertson holding a guitar, expressing sadness at the news of his passing.

Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones said Robertson was "a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed," while singer-songwriterStephen Stills said the guitarist was "always kind and generous."

'A bridge across time'

A 2019 documentary, Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, traced the forming of the group for which Robertson was its guitarist and main songwriter.

WATCH | Reflections on touringwith The Band:

Robbie Robertson on the road | The Vault

7 years ago

Duration 1:21

Robbie Robertson on the end of The Band's touring.

Daniel Roher, who directed the documentary, remembered Robertsonas a risk-taker whosemusic and artistry wereuniversal and heldtimeless appeal.

"It's like you've never heard anything like them before and they sounded completely brand new but yet familiar. He had that quality. His sound created a bridge across time," said Roher, who has since won an Oscar for a documentary about Russian opposition critic Alexei Navalny.

The Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll of Fame in 1994. Robertson was one of the last surviving original members of the groupafter the deaths of Richard Manuel in 1986, Rick Dankoin 1999 and Levon Helm in 2012.

Garth Hudson is now the sole surviving member of The Band.

Journalist George Stroumboulopoulosalso shared his own thoughts onRobertson and his music, which also included a solo career and work in motion pictures, in addition to his time with The Band.

'Influenced nearly everyone'

"The Band. Those songs," Stroumboulopoulos said on X. "His talents were so rooted in the soil of this place."

Music publicist Eric Alper name-checked some of those beloved songs from The Band, saying in a post on Xthat Robertson's style was something that many of his fellow musicians had picked up on and were then clearlyinspired by in their own work.

"His songwriting, musical style, and production have influenced nearly everyone," Alper said.

"Everyone," he echoed.