Garth Hudson was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted keyboardist and the last surviving member of The Band.
- Died: January 21, 2025 (Who else died on January 21?)
- Details of death: Died in Woodstock, New York at the age of 87.
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Garth Hudson’s legacy
Canadian-born musician Garth Hudson grew up around music, with his parents playing a wide array of instruments around the house. That experience helped him develop into a multi-instrumentalist himself, one who became essential to the rich sound of The Band, the Hall of Fame group who proved one of the most influential of their generation.
By the time he met Levon Helm (1940–2012) in 1961, he was already an accomplished professional musician with a number of groups on his resume. His meeting with Helm, however, propelled him to something much bigger. When he joined Helm, Rick Danko (1943–1999), Richard Manuel (1943–1986), and Robbie Robertson (1943–2023), the group was known as The Hawks, the backing band for rockabilly artist Ronnie Hawkins (1935–2022). By the mid 1960s, they were backing Bob Dylan, and in 1968 they debuted as their own artists: The Band.
Their first record, “Music From Big Pink,” has since become a landmark record of its time, known for enduring songs like “The Weight.” Hudson, ever a varied musical talent, played organ, piano, clavinet, and soprano and tenor saxophones on the album. Their 1969 self-titled follow-up proved just as big, with Hudson adding accordion, melodica, slide trumpet, baritone saxophone, and bass pedals to his repertoire.
Hudson helped keep the group focused on honing their musical skills, encouraging lessons and pushing the others to elevate their art. They became one of the most influential artists of their time, cited by musicians like George Harrison (1943–2001), Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Elton John, and others as influences.
Hudson was a session musician after the group’s triumphant final concert in 1976, captured by director Martin Scorsese in the documentary, “The Last Waltz.” He took part in periodic reunions of The Band and also pursued a solo career which included soundtrack work. He has appeared on albums by artists like Neko Case, The Lemonheads, The Secret Machines, and many others.
He, along with the rest of The Band, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He was put on Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2014 and inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1989. In 2008, Hudson was given a Lifetime of Achievement Award at the Grammys.
Tributes to Garth Hudson
Full obituary: Variety
