Robbie Robertson

Mohawk / Cayuga · musicians

Robbie Robertson was a legendary Mohawk and Cayuga musician, songwriter, and guitarist best known as the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for The Band. Born on the Six Nations reserve in Ontario, Robertson became one of the most influential figures in rock and roll history.

The Band's music — including classics like "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" — helped define Americana and roots rock. Their farewell concert "The Last Waltz" (1976), directed by Martin Scorsese, is one of the greatest concert films ever made.

Later in his career, Robertson returned to his Indigenous roots, producing "Music for the Native Americans" (1994) and "Contact from the Underworld of Redboy" (1998). He passed away in 2023, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in music.