Earlier this week, a number of the world’s best musicians came together to honor the late, great Robbie Robertson at a tribute concert dubbed Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson.
Honoring the life, work and legacy of Robbie, the concert was hosted at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, October 17th.
The star-studded concert lineup included country artists like Eric Church, Jamey Johnson, Ryan Bingham and Margo Price, as well as tons of other legends like Mike Campbell, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Mavis Staples, Don Was, Bobby Weir and Lucinda Williams. Trey Anastasio, Warren Haynes, Bruce Hornsby, Jim James, Noah Kahan, Daniel Lanois, Taj Mahal, Robert Randolph, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison Russell, and Benmont Tench were also on the bill.
Born Jaime Royal “Robbie” Robertson, the Canadian singer/songwriter and guitar player was known for his work as a guitarist, first with Bob Dylan in the mid-late 1960s and early-mid 1970s. He went on to become the main songwriter and co-founder of The Band, and is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Americana music genre. He sadly passed away last August after a battle with prostate cancer.
And as far as country music artists go, there might not be a bigger The Band fan than Eric Church. Eric frequently covers a number of their hits, and has for many years, including songs like “The Weight,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” “Ophelia,” and more.
This past Thursday, Eric took the stage early in the concert, backed by the likes of Jamey Johnson, Ryan Bingham, Mike Campbell and more, for a performance of “Up On Cripple Creek.”
Written by Robertson, with The Band drummer Levon Helm on lead vocals, “Up On Cripple Creek,” was released in November of 1969, as a single off the The Band’s self-titled album sophomore album.
Check it out:
The song was also featured in The Band’s 1976 concert film The Last Waltz:
