This is a special tribute edition of Famous Lost Words as we honour the life and music of Robbie Robertson.

Today, we go back in the archives for some excellent interview clips with Robbie – first from the early ‘70s when he was still in The Band – and then to 1998 as he talks about his solo work.

          Robertson talks about hooking up with Bob Dylan in the mid ‘60s and also the creation of “The Basement Tapes”.

          Then, Robbie talks about his 1998 album “Contact From The Underworld of Redboy”.  He explains to interviewer Dale Smith how thrilling it was to create music that celebrated his indigenous heritage. 

We also tell the story Robbie’s first celebrity encounter – with Buddy Holly.  And we hear about how Robbie wrote his first songs.

Plus – Elton John explains how he was influenced by The Band much more than he was by Dylan.

          Robbie Robertson passed away on August 9, 2023 at the age of 80. 

The Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.