Texan guitar maestro Eric Johnson has given fans a rare glimpse into his personal musical DNA, breaking down the artists, records, and gigs that left an indelible mark on his life and career. Speaking with Classic Rock, the Grammy-winning player opened up about everything from his earliest musical memories to the records that pushed his boundaries.

From Early Riffs to Hearing Hendrix for the First Time

Eric Johnson headshot

Born in Austin, Texas in 1954, Johnson’s musical journey began early. While his father filled the house with Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington, four-year-old Johnson was drawn to Elvis Presley’s ‘(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear.’ After begging his dad for a white Fender Musicmaster, he tackled Hank Williams’s ‘Your Cheatin’ Heart’ on chords before learning his first proper riff: The Ventures’ ‘Out Of Limits.’

“Was I instantly brilliant at guitar? Oh no,” Johnson recalled. “It’s always been a struggle. If I’ve hit anything decent over the years, it’s because I’ve grovelled and really tried to learn it. I don’t think it ever comes for free.”

Among his most formative musical awakenings was hearing Jimi Hendrix’s landmark 1967 debut, Are You Experienced. It was like somebody had landed from outer space, Johnson said. It was so revolutionary – all this feedback and fuzz – that I didn’t even know if it was guitar. At first, that record was kinda over my head. I wasn’t even sure if I liked it. But the more I listened, the more I realised how great it was.

The Songwriters, Singers, and Ultimate Albums

Beyond guitar pyrotechnics, Johnson’s palette stretches deep into soul and singer-songwriter territory. He pointed to Sam Cooke as his ultimate singer, praising his soulfulness and intonation, while naming Joni Mitchell as a defining songwriter whose open guitar tunings on records like 1970’s Ladies Of The Canyon and 1969’s Clouds sounded radically fresh.

When asked for the greatest album of all time, Johnson named Stevie Wonder’s Music Of My Mind. For the vibe, the writing and his musicality, he said. It’s a record I’ve been listening to my whole life and I’ve never gotten tired of it, because the feeling behind the notes is so strong. It makes you take a fresh look at your instrument, instead of just being stuck in the ABCs of guitar.

Concerts and Anthems

On the live front, Johnson recalled being blown away by Queen when a friend finally convinced him to attend a show about five years prior. The songs, the musicality, the production, the stage set-up, the sound – everything was just world-class, he noted.

Meanwhile, he pinned down Bryan Adams’s 1984 album Reckless—specifically ‘Summer Of ’69’ or ‘Run To You’—as his quintessential driving music, praising producer Bob Clearmountain for capturing a magic emotion that feels like you’re a kid and the whole world is ahead of you.

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Robbie Robertson, guitarist and songwriter for Canadian-American group The Band, has passed away at the age of 80.

“A good friend and a genius. The Band’s music shocked the excess out of the Renaissance and were an essential part of the final back-to-the-roots trend of ‘60s. He was an underrated brilliant guitar player adding greatly to Bob Dylan’s best tour & best album.” – Stevie Van Zandt

It’s been revealed that Robertson had been battling prostate cancer for a year. The news was conveyed by Robertson’s manager, Jared Levine. On Tuesday, August 8, he was urgently admitted to the hospital following his expression of discomfort, attributed to ailing health.

Tragically, on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, Robbie Robertson’s life came to a close, with his family encircling him in his final moments. His memory endures through his wife Janet, former spouse Dominique, who was accompanied by her partner Nicholas, as well as Robbie’s three cherished children, namely Alexandra, Delphine, and Sebastian.

Robbie Robertson’s Life and Career:

Born on July 5, 1943, in Toronto, Ontario, as noted by the official website of The Band, Robertson’s earliest connection to live music blossomed at the tender age of 5 during a visit to the Six Nations Reservation – his mother’s childhood homeland.

His journey into music commenced with guitar lessons from a cousin, leading him to forsake formal education in pursuit of his musical aspirations.

By 1958, he had secured a place in Ronnie Hawkins’ rockabilly group, “The Hawks.” This musical association eventually evolved, and the band found themselves backing the legendary Bob Dylan during his iconic global tour from 1955 to 1956.

Notably, Robertson even authored one of Dylan’s enduring hits, “The Weight,” released in 1974. Transforming into their own entity, the ensemble, now known as “The Band,” under Robertson’s leadership, flourished throughout the late 1960s.

Their discography includes acclaimed albums like “Music From Big Pink” and their self-titled release. Following their parting in 1976, The Band reunited for a momentous farewell performance in San Francisco, an event captured by esteemed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and later presented as the “The Last Waltz.”

Beyond his influence on rock, Robertson’s artistic talents traversed multiple realms. His ongoing collaboration with Scorsese resulted in musical contributions to cinematic gems like “Raging Bull,” “The Color Of Money,” and “King of Comedy.”

Notably, in 1987, he unveiled his debut solo album, bearing his own name, featuring hits like “Fallen Angel,” “Broken Arrow,” and “Sweet Fire of Love.” One of his later significant projects involved partnering with the “Red Road Ensemble,” a Native American collective, to craft a musical anthology for a documentary series in 1994.

The passing of Robbie Robertson marks the departure of a cherished musical treasure, yet his lasting contributions are destined to endure for generations. Notably, the forthcoming Scorsese film titled “Killers of the Flower Moon” also features the indelible musical touch of this legendary artist, ensuring his presence continues to resonate in the realm of cinema and beyond.

Celebrities React to Robbie Robertson’s Death

As news of Robbie Robertson’s passing spread, an outpouring of grief and remembrance emerged from artists and celebrities worldwide.

During the inaugural night of his US tour, Bruce Springsteen honored the memory of Robbie Robertson, the guitarist and singer-songwriter from The Band. Watch clips from the performance below.

Bruce Springsteen tribute to Robbie Robertson

Ronnie Wood Reacts to Robbie Robertson's death

Stephen Stills Reacts to Robbie Robertson's death

Neil Diamond Reacts to Robbie Robertson's death

Joni Mitchell Reacts to Robbie Robertson's death

Justin Trudeau Reacts to Robbie Robertson's death

Robbie Robertson’s Awards and Honors

Producer of the Year (“Big Sky,” “Somewhere Down the Crazy River”), Juno Awards (1989)
Male Vocalist of the Year, Juno Awards (1989)
Album of the Year (Robbie Robertson), Juno Awards (1989)
Producer of the Year (“Skin Walker,” “It Is A Good Day to Die”), Juno Awards (1995)
Lifetime Achievement Award, National Academy of Songwriters (1997)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Native American Music Awards (1998)
Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Recording (Contact from the Underworld of Redboy), Juno Awards (1999)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Aboriginal Achievement Awards (now Indspire) (2003)
Honorary Doctorate, Queen’s University (2003)
Inductee, Canada’s Walk of Fame (2003)
Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (2006)
Honorary Doctorate, York University (2005)
Officer, Order of Canada (2007)
Inductee, Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame (2011)