Garth Hudson, the last surviving founding member of The Band, dead at 87

Toronto Star ^ | January 21st, 2025 | Nick Krewen

[shadowlands1960]

The last surviving founding member of The Band has died.

Keyboardist and saxophonist Garth Hudson, perhaps best known for his powerful and memorable Lowrey organ intro for the classic Band song “Chest Fever,” passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York, Hudson’s estate executor confirmed to the Star.

He was 87.

[shadowlands1960]

Try listening to their eponymous album ‘The Band’ preferably on vinyl. It is one of the best recorded albums ever. I’d be surprised if you don’t recognize any of the songs on it.

[Walmartian]

And Levon Helms still got the shovel.

[shadowlands1960]

Scorsese is a Dylan fanatic, that is probably how he got turned on to The Band (same as me).

[Mr. K]

Thank you!!

[Borges]

For a while he was a regular One Man Band...

[shadowlands1960]

He played a mean accordion... I could imagine him kitted out with one of those one man band setups playing for quarters in the French Quarter.

[A thermonuclear marshmallow]

I just read that to the tune of “The night they drove old Dixie down “.
A truly classic song.

TM

[Major Matt Mason]

Joan Baez had a decent version of that tune, probably better than the Band's version. I liked The Band well enough but never understood the endless praise of that group. RIP.

[Albion Wilde]

RIP, wonderful musician.

Instrumental Version of "THE BREAKERS" by keyboardist Garth Hudson

[shadowlands1960]

Seems that he’s playing more than just keyboards on that? I suspect he is playing it all as no one else is credited. Saxophone is almost certainly him.

[Lurker]

“can’t think of one single song by ‘The Band’.

The Weight:
https://youtu.be/ph1GU1qQ1zQ?si=mgcCsfWx2whpQB8T

You’re welcome.

L

[billorites]

Certainly the best concert film ever.

[Larry Lucido]

RIP

[kosciusko51]

Joan Baez butchered the lyrics, and did not capture the pathos of the story with her voice the way Levon Helm did.

[PGalt]

Condolences to family and friends of Garth Hudson. RIP, sir.

[HereInTheHeartland]

87?
WHAT???

[shadowlands1960]

I think she mistook Stoneman the calvary commander for Stonewall, the long dead general. I know I used to do that when I sang it.

[shadowlands1960]

Yeah.. I looked in the mirror and said “damn, your 65” when I read that...

[1Old Pro]

but I can’t think of one single song by ‘The Band’

Watch the movie, then you'll understand.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“Your liberal guitarist friend should be advised that what happened yesterday was America coming home to itself.”

WOW!
Love that line/analogy.
It’s perfect.