Robertson performs in the Native American ceremonial spectacular at the opening ceremonies of the XIX Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He composes new versions of two tracks especially for the event: “Making Noise” and “Stomp Dance (Unity)” — both from Contact From the Underworld of Red Boy. The Five Nations Native American blessings of the athletes features “Coyote Dance,” from Music For The Native Americans.
Robertson composes the musical score to Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday.
Robertson returns to the Six Nations Reservation as part of a one-hour documentary entitled Making A Noise: A Native American Journey with Robbie Robertson. Broadcast on PBS, the special takes viewers on a musical journey into the Native American heartland.
Released in October, Live 1966: The “Royal Albert Hall” Concert is a two-disc live album by Bob Dylan. It is from Dylan’s legendary world tour in 1966 and is an essential document in the development of popular music during the 1960’s, and some consider to be the greatest concert of all time. The complete live show is remixed and remastered from the original three-track source tapes. The first disc is Dylan’s solo acoustic set; the second disc features his electrifying backing band, The Hawks (minus Helm). Capturing the hostility of “folk purists” in the audience, the set includes the stomping, booing and now-infamous cry of “Judas” form one audience member – plus Dylan’s caustic retort. The album debuts at #31 on the Billboard 200 chart and Mojo magazine declares it “the most famous bootleg of all time.”
In October, Robbie releases his third solo album entitled Music For The Native Americans. It’s his first foray into writing music specifically inspired by his Mohawk heritage. The success of “Mahk Jchi (Heartbeat Drum Song)” inspires a concert in Agrigento, Italy, celebrating Native American music. Robertson headlines the festival along with numerous Native American musicians, and portions of the live performance will appear in a future PBS documentary.
Robbie returns to his first recording home when he signs with Capitol Records.
Robertson signs to Geffen Records for his upcoming debut solo record.
Robertson is enlisted as creative consultant for Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll, Taylor Hackford’s documentary film saluting Chuck Berry..
Robbie scores Scorsese’s The Color of Money (released in 1986). He works with Jazz great Gil Evans and co-writes “It’s In The Way That You Use It” with Eric Clapton for the film..
Robertson creates background music and produces source music for Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull (released 1980).
After 16 years together, The Band say farewell with the gala Last Waltz concert held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The event is advertised as the end of The Band’s illustrious touring career and the concert features The Band joined by more than a dozen special guests, including Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood and Neil Young. The event is filmed by director Martin Scorsese for future release.
Northern Lights – Southern Cross is released in early November. It’s the first album to be recorded at The Band’s new California studio, Shangri-La, and the first album of all-new material since 1971’s Cahoots. Robbie Robertson writes all eight songs on the record and include such gems as “Ophelia,” “It Makes No Difference” and Acadian Driftwood.”
Before the Flood is a the live album by Bob Dylan and The Band, released in June, documenting the Bob Dylan and The Band 1974 Tour. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and reached #8 in the UK.