The First Time with Robbie Robertson

Original version

6 Music

BBC 6

The First Time Podcast

The First Time With...

Documentaries

Factual: Life Stories

Music

Interviews with major artists revealing the moments and songs that shaped their careers.

6 Music's Matt Everitt presents in-depth, exclusive and revealing interviews with major artists revealing the pivotal moments and songs that shaped their lives and their careers.

The First Time With...: In tribute to Robbie Robertson

In tribute to Robbie Robertson

BBC Radio 6 Music - The First Time With..., In tribute to Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson shares the musical milestones of his life. First broadcast in 2011.

Robbie Robertson gives a rare interview tracing his life through music from 1960s band The Hawks, to working with Bob Dylan in The Band and Martin Scorsese.

Robbie Robertson shares the musical milestones of his life in an interview with Matt Everitt first broadcast in 2011.

Robbie Robertson's music is woven through American cultural history in remarkable way - and he's rightly seen as something of a creative godhead in the US and his home country of Canada. In this episode of The First Time, Robertson gives a rare interview and discusses his childhood and the influence of his combined Mohawk and Canadian parentage, becoming the precocious guitarist in the Hawks at the dawn of the 60s and his bond with the early rock n roll scene, as it swept across the world. 

And happily - for someone who has often distanced himself from his past - Robertson also talks about his time as a key member and songwriter with the Band - one of the greatest groups in music history; responsible for the legendary Songs From Big Pink album and whose authentic, folk and country-influenced music, shifted the psychedelic flamboyance of the late 60s scene into a more soulful direction.

Robertson also recalls the Band backing Bob Dylan on his first electric tour, which caused huge shock waves, even prompting cries of "Judas" in Europe.

Now a well-respected solo artist, Robertson chats about his role as a music director for Martin Scorsese, a role he's enjoyed since the 80s, working on Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Casino, The Departed and Shutter Island.

BBC Radio 6 Music

Classic concerts & sessions from the BBC's vast music store. It's your musical heritage.

BBC 6 Music brings together the cutting edge music of today, the iconic and groundbreaking music of the past 40 years and unlimited access

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The First Time With...

In tribute to Robbie Robertson

Genres

Brand

6 Music

About BBC Radio 6 Music