Garth Hudson, The Last Remaining Member Of "The Band", Passed Away Today
NPR - Garth Hudson, the last surviving founding member of the beloved roots-rock ensemble The Band, has died. The Canadian musician was 87 years old. His close friend Jan Haust, a music archivist and producer, confirmed the news to NPR. "He was a divine musical gentleman," Haust says. "He died peacefully in his sleep, holding the hand of someone he loved."
(Disclaimer - the biggest loser alive, the cowboys fan commenter nobody can stand, will for sure chime in about me always writing obituary blogs, because he's miserable. But he's right. I do write these a lot. But I don't think it's morbid. I look at them more as tributes to people I think deserve them. In this case, I learned about Garth Hudson and The Band later in life and wish I had sooner. Reading biographies and watching documentaries on great people are two of my favorite things to learn about so by doing these, I'm passing it on. Sue me)
Garth Hudson, was not as well known a name as he should have been. He was a GIANT in terms of the impact he had on the world of music.
He was a virtuoso who quietly shaped the soul of one of rock’s most influential outfits, The Band, and sadly, he passed away at the age of 87 today.
And if you are asking yourself "who the fuck is The Band?" first off congratulations on being young and/or dumb. No, seriously. There aren't many things better in life than discovering incredible music for the first time.
But chances are you know who The Band is, you just didn't know it. Everybody's heard "Up On Cripple Creek" (at the top of the blog), and "The Weight" before. That's them.
And Hudson's death marks the end of an era for the band, with him being the last surviving original member.
His musical contributions-from the intricacies of his "Lowrey organ" work to his explorations on a ridiculous array of instruments- helped elevate the Band from their humble beginnings as Bob Dylan's little backup band into one of the most resonant, boundary-pushing forces in rock.
(Sidebar- what's a lowrey organ you ask? Oh just one of the most bad ass instruments the organ player at your local church flexes every Sunday)
When I first stumbled upon The Band, it wasn’t through their albums or the lore that often swirls around rock royalty. Nope. My introduction came through the kaleidoscopic, larger-than-life documentary The Last Waltz- Martin Scorsese’s magnum opus that immortalized The Band’s farewell concert in 1976.
At the time, Scorsese was only thirty-fucking-five years old! (let that sink in) But the way he captured the final moments of The Band, intertwined with their stunning catalog of music and an all-star guest lineup, was nothing short of revolutionary.
The Last Waltz wasn’t just a concert film; it was a living, breathing testament to rock history. And in my opinion, it's not only the best film Scorcese ever directed (yes, better than Casino, and better than Goodfellas), but I also think it's the best musical-documentary AND music-related movie ever made. (If you have never heard of it or seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it HERE this week. You will thank me later.)
As soon as the credits rolled and the film’s opening message- “This film should be played loud!” hit the screen, I knew I was about to witness something massive. (Talk about bad ass.)
Not to mention, The Band constantly had a rotating cast of characters accompanying them, and for The Last Waltz, one of their big guests was Van Morrison. (Ever heard of 'em?)
Garth’s contributions, often subtle yet unmistakable, rang through the soundscape, his multi-instrumental genius coming to life across the screen. It was in his hands that the organ became an instrument of both power and grace. In recodrs like “Chest Fever” and “Up On Cripple Creek,” his mastery of that lowrey organ became the sonic foundation that separated The Band from everybody else.
He was the bridge between the soulful blues of the American South, traditional folk, and even the experimental funk energy of the late '60s and '70s.
What stood out the most in the movie, and what I’ve always appreciated about The Band, and Hudson, was their ability to play as part of a greater whole.
The Band wasn’t just about any one member.
It was about a collective of unique talents that, when combined, created a sound greater than the sum of its parts. Listening to them is fucking beautiful man.
Hudson played the fucking saxophone on “I Shall Be Released” and then hopped on his atmospheric organ on “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and his role was always integral, always elevating the group’s sound. And supposedly he never even wanted to join the group! He had to be begged and needed money so badly he finally caved in.
One of the most iconic moments of Hudson’s career came when he helped shape the sounds of The Basement Tapes, the legendary collection of recordings made in the basement of “Big Pink” in Woodstock with Bob Dylan.
Watching those videos, and listening to those songs, you realize that Garth wasn’t just an instrumentalist; he was an architect of sound. From the lowrey organ’s deep, haunting notes to his contributions with other instruments like the accordion and synthesizers, (what couldn't this guy play?) Hudson’s magic was woven into every song, giving the group its signature flavor.
I mean look at this -
David Attie. Getty Images.Automatic panty dropper
After The Band’s split in 1976, Hudson didn’t fade into the background.
He continued playing, collaborating with artists like Leonard Cohen
Norah Jones
and Neko Case,
Which proved that his sound was as relevant in the '90s and beyond as it was during The Band’s heyday.
Even in 2023, at the age of 86, Hudson was still playing live shows! Showing that real musical magic, never dies.
Rest in Peace.