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In tribute to Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson gives a rare interview tracing his life through music from 1960s band The Hawks, to working with Bob Dylan in The Band and Martin Scorsese.

Robbie Robertson shares the musical milestones of his life in an interview with Matt Everitt first broadcast in 2011.

Robbie Robertson's music is woven through American cultural history in remarkable way - and he's rightly seen as something of a creative godhead in the US and his home country of Canada. In this episode of The First Time, Robertson gives a rare interview and discusses his childhood and the influence of his combined Mohawk and Canadian parentage, becoming the precocious guitarist in the Hawks at the dawn of the 60s and his bond with the early rock n roll scene, as it swept across the world.

And happily - for someone who has often distanced himself from his past - Robertson also talks about his time as a key member and songwriter with the Band - one of the greatest groups in music history; responsible for the legendary Songs From Big Pink album and whose authentic, folk and country-influenced music, shifted the psychedelic flamboyance of the late 60s scene into a more soulful direction.

Robertson also recalls the Band backing Bob Dylan on his first electric tour, which caused huge shock waves, even prompting cries of "Judas" in Europe.

Now a well-respected solo artist, Robertson chats about his role as a music director for Martin Scorsese, a role he's enjoyed since the 80s, working on Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Casino, The Departed and Shutter Island.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 17 Aug 2023 01:00
BBC Radio 6 Music

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Clips

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Music Played

  • THE BAND

    CDP UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK

    • BAND, THE.
    • CAPITOL.
    • CDP-746493 2.

  • Hank Williams

    I SAW THE LIGHT

    • ALONE AND FORSAKEN.
    • POLYDOR.
    • 528-037 2.

  • Little Richard

    RIP IT UP

    • 22 GREATEST HITS.
    • MERCURY.
    • 830834-2.

  • Carl Perkins

    BLUE SUEDE SHOES

    • BOPPIN' BLUE SUEDE SHOES.
    • CHARLY.
    • SNAP-221 CD.

  • Ronnie Hawkins

    Someone like you

    • Mr Dynamo.
    • Columbia.
    • 33SX 1238.

  • Bob Dylan

    LEOPARD-SKIN PILL-BOX HAT

    • Blonde On Blonde.
    • CBS.
    • CDCBS-22130.

  • The Band

    The Weight

    • THE BAND: GREATEST HITS.
    • Capitol.
    • nfi.

  • The Band

    RAG MAMA RAG

    • THE BAND.
    • CAPITOL.
    • CDP-7464932.

  • The Ronettes

    BE MY BABY

    • S/T DIRTY DANCING.
    • RCA.
    • BD-86408.

  • THE BAND

    The Theme from the Last Waltz

    • The Last Waltz.
    • Warner Bros.
    • 8122-73925-2.

  • The Band

    THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN

    • THE LAST WALTZ.
    • RHINO.
    • R2-78278.

  • MAX RICHTER ENSEMBLE

    On The Nature of Daylight

    • Max Richter: The Blue Notebooks.
    • Fat Cat.
    • CD13--04.

  • Robbie Robertson

    SOMEWHERE DOWN THE CRAZY RIVER

    • ROBBIE ROBERTSON.
    • GEFFEN.
    • 924-1602.

  • Curtis Mayfield

    PEOPLE GET READY

    • Montreux 1987.
    • Eagle Vision.
    • EREDV-450.

  • The Band

    Up On Cripple Creek

  • The Band

    Rag Mama Rag

  • The Impressions

    People Get Ready

  • Edie Brickell & Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

    What I Am

    • Polygram TV.

  • Roxy Music

    Street Life

    • Virgin.

  • Spanky Wilson

    Sunshine Of Your Love

    • Doin' It.
    • Mothers Records.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 9 Oct 2011 12:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Tue 5 Dec 2017 01:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Mon 23 Sep 2019 04:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Wed 15 Apr 2020 01:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music
  • Thu 17 Aug 2023 01:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music

The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more

The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more

A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.

Podcast

  • The First Time With...

    Interviews with major artists revealing the moments and songs that shaped their careers.