This one really hurts. The Band was right up there along with the Dead as the favorite bands of my youth. I saw the Band open for the Dead on Jerry's 31st birthday, 8/1/73, at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City. Twelve days later I moved to California for good. Robbie was a shining example of an extremely accomplished player who unfailingly played in support of the music, as opposed to so many who use the music as a vehicle to show off their own chops. Richard Manuel, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and now Robbie, all gone. Only Garth Hudson, at 86, is still around. It is a bit eerie that it's the same day as Jerry's passing. This also happens to be my wife's birthday. She was already sad this morning when we learned of the destruction in Maui (she used to live in Hawaii). Now this sad news.
May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home
Bill, tgo
