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.”
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.
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.
And if you are asking yourself “who the fuck is The Band?”
first off congratulations on being young and/or dumb.
There aren’t many things better in life thandiscoveringincredible music for the first time.
But chances are you know who The Band is, you just didn’t know it.
(Sidebar- what’s a lowrey organ you ask?
At the time, Scorsese was only thirty-fucking-five years old!
The Last Waltzwasnt just a concert film; it was a living, breathing testament to rock history.
(Talk about bad ass.)
(Ever heard of ‘em?)
It was in his hands that the organ became an instrument of both power and grace.
The Band wasnt just about anyonemember.
Listening to them is fucking beautiful man.
And supposedly he never even wanted to join the group!
He had to be begged and needed money so badly he finally caved in.
Hudsons magic was woven into every song, giving the group its signature flavor.
Even in 2023, at the age of 86, Hudson was still playing live shows!
Showing that real musical magic, never dies.
