Garth Hudson, the Canadian keyboard virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist, has passed away at the age of 87. He was the last original member of the Canadian rock group The Band. Renowned for his unique sound palette, Hudson contributed his distinctive touch to rock classics such as "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Weight," and "Rag Mama Rag."
Born on August 2, 1937, in Windsor, Ontario, Garth Hudson was the oldest member of the group that once accompanied Bob Dylan. He died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. This was confirmed by his longtime friend and occasional collaborator, Jan Hast.
Hast described Hudson as a very private man and a gentleman in the rock and roll world, a master at creating musical textures that elevated the performances of his bandmates. After receiving classical music training, the bearded musician began his career in the late 1950s with the band Paul London and The Capers. He rose to fame after joining Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks as an organist, saxophonist, and keyboardist.
However, his legacy and influence truly solidified within The Band, alongside Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel. The group enjoyed several hits during the 1960s and 1970s, including "The Weight," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and "Up On Cripple Creek." In addition to his preferred instrument, a Lowrey electric organ, Hudson was proficient in piano, accordion, and various types of saxophones. He also collaborated with a multitude of other artists, including Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones, and Van Morrison.
