When Robbie Robertson met Jimi Hendrix in New York’s Greenwich Village in 1966, Hendrix (then going by the name of Jimmy James) was intent on learning about a subject crucial to his future as an artist. “He only wanted to talk about songwriting,” revealed Robertson. “Because I was playing with Bob Dylan then, he thought I might know something about those secrets.” What was the best advice Robertson shared with Jimi? “If everybody is writing about one particular thing, then I would not go in that particular direction, because it’s crowded over there. Look for the story you can tell the best that’s not what other people are writing about. Avoid the obvious.”
I remarked that it seems like Robertson, the man most notable for being the chief architect of the Band, must have followed his own advice over the years. He chuckled. “Well, hopefully, we avoided the obvious.”
Er, Understatement Incorporated. Your honor, may I introduce into evidence 1968’s Music from Big Pink, 1969’s The Band, 1970’s Stage Fright, and 1978’s The Last Waltz, for starters? When the world was searching for the next psychedelic sunspot, Robertson and the Band looked within and went rustic, delivering a canon of songs that essentially changed the sound of rock & roll overnight. Robertson, 67, has kept that flame burning well after the original Band folded — in both his film-score and soundtrack collaborations with director Martin Scorsese and his own rich solo work. His C.V. is now further buttressed by a new electrified solo project, How to Become Clairvoyant (Bella Coola/429 Records). And the Band leader plays on.
Wow, another RR devotee. Sure is nice that you know every lyric from every song he's ever done. Personally, I like to listen to music that isn't 90% vocals and puts me to sleep. The Band is probably the most overrated "rock" band in history. Name ONE THING they did that is considered some sort of breakthrough in ROCK music. True, they were really good singers. Singing should make up about 25% of a rock song, the rest being lead and rhythm instruments and drums,. Whether you are a great musician or not, if you can barely hear the instruments then that doesn't really matter does it? I am so sick of people giving The Band credit for anything, they were so boring! Rewatch The Last Waltz and I dare you to stay awake, even with so many legends of music on stage. Of course mostly vocalists, they barely invited anyone who can actually rock, like perhaps Jimmy Page or Pete Townsend or 100 other guys who would jam. They had at least 10 people on stage for every song, but almost the only thing you can ever hear is singing. Rock bands are NOT all about singing! If lyrics are so important then read a book, but don't make some sort of claim that just vocals make them a rock band. I understand that this is an interview in a music and video magazine and he is a legitimate subject, but stop giving RR and The Band any credit as some sort of rock pioneers, PLEASE!