“I am fascinated by the places that music comes from, like fife-and-drum blues from southern Mississippi or Cajun music out of Lafayette, Louisiana, shape-note singing, old harp singing from the mountains - I love that stuff. It's like the beginning of rock and roll: something comes down from the hills, and something comes up from the delta.”

Canadian musician, composer, and producer

Robbie Robertson was a Canadian musician, composer, and producer. Born Jaime Royal Robertson, he became known as the lead guitarist for Bob Dylan’s backing band and later as the guitarist and primary songwriter of the Band. He lived from 1943 to 2023. He helped shape the Band from its beginning until he left in 1976. After that, he released six solo albums and continued working as a composer and producer. His reputation rests on his guitar work, his songwriting, and his role in some of the most influential rock music of his era.