David McLeod
I met Robbie Robertson many years ago in 2003, thanks to Tina Keeper, who introduced me to him at the Aboriginal Achievement Awards at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. He was iconic, I was thrilled to have a brief conversation with him, he signed my CD (I carried with me if the occasion arose), “In Unity” denoted a special purpose and meaning.
I would like to share some of Robbie’s contributions as an Indigenous artist.
Robbie was born in Toronto on July 5, 1943 to his mother, Rosemarie Dolly Chrysler, who was Mohawk and Cayuga, he grew up in homes in Scarborough and Cabbagetown neighbourhoods. His father, Alexander Klegerman, died in a roadside accident before Robbie was born.
It was while visiting relatives on the Six Nations of the Grand River near Brantford, Ontario (south of Toronto), that he became entranced by the music played by his uncles and older cousins and was given advice by Elders he kept close to his heart as he progressed early in his career. "Be proud you are an Indian, but be careful who you tell." shared Robbie during an on camera interview, referencing the racism he may encounter in city life.
Robbie is best known in mainstream for the classic songs he wrote for the Band, including “The Weight,” “Up on Cripple Creek,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “The Shape I’m In” and “It Makes No Difference.” The Band formulated a new genre often referenced as “Americana”, but within the nucleus of this genre is Mohawk soul. This is partially explored in his story with The Band, captured in the wonderful 2019 documentary “Once Were Brothers.“
Within his later career outside of solo projects and movie soundtrack work (much with Martin Scorsese), Robbie focused years exploring his Indigenous heritage, particularly in traditional music and connecting to artists within the community.
In 1994 he composed the soundtrack for the documentary The Native Americans, which then became an album, Music from The Native Americans and featured the Red Road Ensemble. One track that received much fanfare was "Mahk Jchi (Heartbeat Drum Song)" with Ulali, (Pura Fé, Soni Moreno, Jennifer Kreisberg). A timeless classic.
Robbie pushed towards a sound that was far removed from music previously known to older fans of The Band. In 1998, he released Contact From The Underworld Of Red Boy. He collaborated with DJ/producer Howie B, the albums sound is a sonic mix of techno with Indigenous sound. He searched for inspiration for the album in traditional recordings as the 1942 Library of Congress recording of Leah Hicks Manning was sampled for the opening track of, "The Sound Is Fading," and included experiences from taking part in ceremony.
Indigenous voices included those like the Six Nations Women Singers, and the peyote singers Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike - appeared on tracks co-produced by Marius De Vries (Björk, Massive Attack) and DJ remixer Howie B.
Over the dark mysterious groove of “Sacrifice,” Robbie offered a platform for activist Leonard Peltier to speak on the phone and be recorded from prison about the pain and politics of his two consecutive life sentences for the accused 1975 slayings of two federal agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, in South Dakota.
It could be debated that tracks like "Peyote Healing" and "Stomp Dance" connect more with spirituality than with musical technology.
Also in 1998, a PBS documentary Making A Noise: A Native American Journey with Robbie Robertson centered on his visit to his home territory on Six Nations, exploring his musical influences, family, and connection to the Indigenous community, a young Derek Miller is seen jamming outside as is local radio celebrity, Elaine Bomberry.
In 2018, PBS produced NATIVE AMERICA, a four-part series that premiered on PBS nationwide. The premise weaves history and science with Indigenous traditions, it was narrated by Robbie; each hour explores Indigenous nations and reveals sacred stories and history long hidden in plain sight.
Chi Miigwetch Robbie, you certainly journeyed through a creative web of life that fortunately clung to the most important part of who you are… a Mohawk man with a bundle to offer the world yo.
* His family asked that donations be made to Six Nations Woodland Cultural Centre.
David McLeod (Ojibway/Métis) is General Manager of Native Communications Incorporated, which operates a radio network in Canada. He has received an Indigenous Music Award for his contributions in promoting Indigenous music.
JUST LIKE TOM THUMB’S BLUES ::: BOB DYLAN & THE BAND ( LIVE IN LIVERPOOL )
CHEST FEVER ::: THE BAND
THE SHAPE I’M IN ::: THE BAND (LIVE at THE ALBERT HALL)
IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE ::: THE BAND
HE DON’T LIVE HERE NO MORE ::: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
COYOTE DANCE ::: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
GHOST DANCE ::: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
SACRIFICE ::: ROBBIE ROBERTSON