Hargus “Pig” Robbins was a country music session pianist who played on hits including Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and on Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” album.
- Died: January 30, 2022 (Who else died on January 30?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 84.
- We invite you to share condolences for Hargus “Pig” Robbins in our Guest Book.
Sought-after session pianist
Blind since childhood, Robbins learned to play piano while attending the Nashville School for the blind. He began playing for Nashville’s greatest musicians in the 1950s, his first big hit coming with George Jones’ (1931–2013) “White Lightning” in 1959. Robbins would go on to play on some of the most enduring hits of country music history: “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline (1932–1963), Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” by Loretta Lynn, “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle, and many more. He became a member of the Nashville A-Team, the celebrated group of session musicians whose ranks included Chet Atkins (1924–2001) and Earl Scruggs (1924–2012).
Robbins also used his talents outside of country music, contributing prominently to Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde,” including the barrelhouse piano on “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” He also played with artists including Joan Baez, Gordon Lightfoot, Leon Russell (1942–2016), Aaron Neville, and Ween. Robbins had a solo career, releasing eight solo albums with singles including “Save It” and “Chunky People.” He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Robbins on recording with Dylan
“Back in the mid ’60s, country songs were 2 minutes and 30 seconds long, if you had a song that was over 3 minutes – that was a long song. When Dylan came into the studio with a 7 or 12 minute song – it completely blew my mind.” —from a 2021 interview for TV Store Online
Tributes to Hargus “Pig” Robbins
Full obituary: The New York Times
