On January 21, 2025, Garth Hudson, the last living member of the acclaimed rock group The Band, passed away at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. He was 87 years old.
Hudson, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, was highly regarded for his exceptional skills as a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist. His fellow band member, Robbie Robertson, once described him as “far and away the most advanced musician in rock ‘n’ roll,” acknowledging his ability to enhance their music with complex textures and counterpoint.
Hudson’s musical career started at an early age, with piano lessons beginning at age five and organ performances at his local church. His father’s encouragement led him to pick up the saxophone in high school, which later became a notable instrument in The Band’s music. Hudson pursued further musical studies at Western Ontario University, focusing on classical pipe organ, music theory, harmony, and counterpoint.
Under the insistence of his parents, Hudson taught music theory to his fellow band members, a decision that significantly shaped The Band’s sophisticated musical style. His early classical training played a pivotal role in creating a unique sound that set The Band apart.
Eric Garth Hudson, a native of London, Ontario, joined Ronnie Hawkins’ Band, The Hawks, at the age of 24. The Band, which later became known as The Band in 1964, also included drummer Levon Helm, guitarist Robbie Robertson, bass player Rick Danko, and vocalist and keyboardist Richard Manuel.
In 1966, Bob Dylan invited the group to join his Electric tour across the United States, Europe, and Australia. This partnership marked a transformative period for The Band, as they supported Dylan during his controversial shift from acoustic to electric music, often facing negative responses from the audience. During this time, they recorded over 100 tracks with Dylan, collectively known as “The Basement Tapes,” which were officially released in 1975.
The Band’s album “Music from Big Pink” reached No. 30 on the Billboard charts, featuring the iconic track “The Weight.” Their subsequent album, simply titled “The Band,” rose to No. 9, cementing their status in the annals of rock history.
Hudson’s distinctive keyboard skills were integral to The Band’s unique sound, especially noticeable in songs like “Up on Cripple Creek” and “Rag Mama Rag.” His innovative use of the Lowrey organ and clavinet contributed to the group’s signature sound, merging elements of classical, jazz, and rock music.
“We were so locked in, in a musicality, and in a personal way, that we invented something that had a big effect on the course of music,” Robertson told Yahoo Entertainment in February 2020. “We weren’t trendy because we didn’t know what the trend was – and didn’t want to.”
The Band maintained their success until the mid-1970s when Robertson proposed they retire from live performances. This suggestion followed a series of setbacks, including the underwhelming response to their album “Northern Lights – Southern Cross” and a boating accident involving band member Manuel.
The Band’s final performance, known as The Last Waltz, was held at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California, on November 25, 1976. The five-hour concert included 41 songs and cost $500,000 to produce. Hudson’s organ work was notably highlighted during Van Morrison’s “Caravan” and The Band’s “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” The concert was filmed by Martin Scorsese and released as the documentary “The Last Waltz” in 1978.
Following the disbandment of The Band, Hudson continued his music career by collaborating with various artists such as Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, Van Morrison, and Elton John. His first solo album, “The Sea to the North,” was released in 2001. He also contributed to the Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” album and several of Leonard Cohen’s projects, highlighting his musical versatility.
In 2010, Hudson produced “Garth Hudson Presents: A Canadian Celebration of The Band,” featuring Canadian artists performing covers of The Band’s songs. His last significant recording contribution was for the track “What Is Man” on Robbie Robertson’s posthumous 2023 album. His final public performance was in April 2023, during a house concert in Kingston, New York.
Despite his musical accomplishments, Hudson struggled financially in his later years. He sold his rights to The Band to Robertson and declared bankruptcy multiple times, eventually losing his home to foreclosure. His wife, Maud, passed away in 2022.
The Band was named among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004, a testament to their enduring influence in rock music. Their distinctive blend of Americana, folk, rock, jazz, and country has inspired numerous artists over the years.
All members of The Band preceded Hudson in death: Richard Manuel in 1986, Rick Danko in 1999, Levon Helm in 2012, and Robbie Robertson in 2023.
