Joan Baez Breaks Hearts With Emotional Tribute to The Band Legend Robbie Robertson After His Death

Music legend Joan Baez has shared a deeply emotional tribute honoring her late friend and collaborator Robbie Robertson, the iconic songwriter and leader of The Band, leaving fans around the world moved to tears.
In a heartfelt post shared on social media, Baez addressed Robertson with raw affection, calling him a “glorious, grizzly old man” and reflecting on the extraordinary journey of his life — from a young musician in a “cool band” to a seasoned elder with his trademark lumberjack beard, still defying musical convention until the very end.

“You were always true to yourself and your millions of fans,” Baez wrote, praising Robertson not only as a musical anomaly, but as a true legend of his time. She also recalled the rare privilege of having known him personally — and of having sung beside him on occasion — moments that now feel even more precious in his absence.
The tribute took on an especially poignant tone as Baez gently urged her late friend to finally rest: “Now put the guitar down and get some rest. I’ll miss you.” The simple closing words resonated powerfully with fans, many of whom described the post as a farewell written straight from the heart.

Robbie Robertson passed away on August 9, 2023, at the age of 80, after a long illness. As the principal songwriter and creative force behind The Band, he helped shape the sound of modern Americana, influencing generations of musicians with timeless songs like The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down — the latter famously performed by Baez herself.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the music world, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Yet Baez’s message stands out for its warmth and intimacy — not a formal obituary, but a quiet goodbye from someone who truly knew the man behind the music.
For fans, her words serve as a reminder that legends may leave the stage, but the songs — and the love they inspired — never truly fade.