Robbie Robertson pays homage to Ronnie Hawkins

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The band’s guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson mourned the death of his mentor, Ronnie Hawkins, who died on Sunday at the age of 87 in a moving compliment shared online.

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and Statement posted on social media, Robertson writes: “My heart sank when I heard’Hawk’just jump into the sunset.

“The band’s story began with Ronnie Hawkins. He was our mentor. He taught us the rules of the road.”

Hawkins, who lived in Canada for much of his career, was fighting a long illness, his wife told the Canadian press.

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Arkansas rockabilly singers have collaborated with numerous rock legends, including discovering the talent of musicians who will eventually form a supergroup band.

“Ronnie Hawkins took me from Canada to the Mississippi Delta when I was 16,” Robertson recalled.

“He recorded two songs I wrote and wondered if I was talented. He tried me on guitar and bass. The only problem is; I have them touring. Too young to play in a club, I’m too inexperienced, not yet a good musician, and there are no Canadians in the Southern Rock’n’Roll band, but I practice until my fingers bleed. , He eventually hired me against all possibilities. “

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Robertson noted that Rocker was only looking for the best player for his band, the Hawks, and recalled how Hawkins brought the band’s members together.

“Hawks drummer Levon Helm and I told Ron to hire Rick Danko on bass and vocals, Richard Manuel on piano and vocals, and Garth Hudson on organs and saxophone. With Levon and me. , This is a magical combination.

“Ronnie was the Godfather. It was all that happened.”

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Robertson’s statement further states:

“He had us constantly rehearse in the early hours. We ridiculed it, but we got better and better, whether we knew it or not. Not our goal.

“After the Hawks left Ron and went out alone, they joined Bob Dylan. Then the Hawks became a band and the rest, as they say, history.

“Everything starts with Ronnie Hawkins.

“He was a great artist, a great performer, a bandleader, but also had an unparalleled style of humor. It’s funny and completely unique. Yeah, God falls among them. I made only one of them, and he will live forever in our hearts, “writes Robertson.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family.

“Bless his soul.”