Robbie used to play a blonde Tele in the pre Band era. His taste in guitars had every guitar player in Toronto playing a blonde Tele. In those days, before he was known for his song writing, he just blew the doors off when he played. This guy, Levon Helm and Ronnie Hawkins were a big part of my youth. We followed them around Southern Ontario the way Deadheads followed the Grateful Dead. They always had a bunch of strange, slightly dangerous looking dudes with them and lots of glamorous girls with big hair and low cut dresses. A real education.

@mikemckenna4924

11 ай бұрын

I remember..i saw them every chance i had..Robbie was killer on that tele..we all went out and bought one .listen to Bo diddley by Ronnie Hawkins ...and more

@aliofly

7 ай бұрын

Incredible!

You know what! It’s Robbie’s guitar. He let Dylan borrow it, Harrison & Clapton play it but it is still his guitar. If he wants to sell it to the highest bidder, that’s his business! From a Canadian fan of The Band since their first album came out.

@MySundin13

11 ай бұрын

I'm Canadian too 🇨🇦. And I 💯% Agree

@user-bx7hf3lp8n

11 ай бұрын

Well, I’m a “TEXAN”, and obviously Robbie’s guitar is so valuable because it’s HIS guitar and because the history of that guitar and because of all the wonderful songs he played on it. So go for it - sell it for whatever you can get, and do what you want with the money! And tell any critics to go screw themselves!😉

Oh my, watching Robbie play The Weight intro just made my week. What a beautiful sound.

It doesn’t get much cooler than this my friends. Stories, guitar or the player! Legends indeed!

"I wanted to feel the wood" - Robbie Robertson

@robertiaccarino4363

3 жыл бұрын

I know; I am dying here

Bob may have played it ‘65-‘66, but I’d like what ROBBIE was playing on that tour! One of the most killer tones in Rock ‘n’ Roll history.

I saw him use it with The Band at Roosevelt Stadium, Passaic, NJ on Aug 1, 1973.

Robbie, man I don't see how you could ever let that go..But I get what your doing and understand that that guitar is a true legend also..But it hurts my heart to see you let it go..I would really like to see you write some more good music and play n record it on that guitar before it is passed on..Because I know it's in you..Your great man..Thank you for all the music..it always brings me back home to where I need to be..Thank You Robbie..

Wow. So much nastiness in the comments. Makes me sad. All the haters wish they had a fraction of his talent. Negativity won't pull you through. Thanks for all the great music, Robbie.

@pickettmandi

4 жыл бұрын

I see what you did there, and I like it.

@johndowns3839

4 жыл бұрын

Garth Hudson had more influence over the arrangements than Robertson did, but Robbie never mentions him. Wanting credit to be justly given where credit is due isn't "hate."

@imannonymous7707

3 жыл бұрын

Thank the whole band...that is why there is bitterness....the other members have been dying sick and pennie less

@imannonymous7707

3 жыл бұрын

@@johndowns3839 very true....bravo!

@guitarman1477

3 жыл бұрын

Robertson’the robber ‘

Wow Robbie Robertson playing ‘Tears of Rage’ half a century later... :’)

@eargasm1072

3 жыл бұрын

He's playing it in a much lower key than the version on record which I believe is D, here he plays it in G

Man I would love that guitar. I lived and breathed Dylan and the band growing up.

The music lover in me is in awe of that guitar. The guitar nerd in me is screaming "holy shit he routed the body to mount the B16?!!!"

His playing in the film the last waltz was brilliant, I hav, nt seen it for years, but his playing has always stayed with me

I adore Robbie Robertson so much. What a guy. What a life.

@imannonymous7707

3 жыл бұрын

welll yea but then again no its well documented that he made out far better off than the rest of the band....and thats unfair......they died penniless some tragicaly......so its sour sweet......but respect to you...i get it

@R-D-bj6ot

3 жыл бұрын

@@imannonymous7707 That's the music business, just because he's not a white man, it's unfair... stop crying about it.

@Furry67

2 жыл бұрын

@@R-D-bj6ot It's the music business to screw all your band mates?

@R-D-bj6ot

2 жыл бұрын

@@Furry67 mention the proof that he did all those things and not the stupid things that Levon said; You are one of those idiots who only follow one version and are not objective.

@Furry67

2 жыл бұрын

@@R-D-bj6ot I've been told that by people in the business. Thanks for calling me an idiot. What a charmer you are.

Wish they would've addressed the Bigsby Issue .

I really enjoyed the history, of the Fender Telecastor and talking strings!

Robbie grew up on the Rez just down Hwy #3 from me. He’s done pretty well for a dirt poor SOB (Southern Ontario Boy) All of the Band’s members were - except Levon. Just like the soil and the air, here, the Band is part of my DNA and I play at least a couple of Band tunes every time I get to play out of the house. Peace

funny how all those Robbie naysayers continue to watch his videos; they just can't get enough of him

One of the greatest Rock stars in the world getting constantly interrupted by some auction house pipsqueak... Let Robbie tell the story!

@guitarman1477

3 жыл бұрын

Fuck his story, pack of lies rip Levon

Unfortunately, when the Tele is sold it will most likely end up in a vault never to be played again.

I may have listened to this guitar being played more than any other through the years….

Whoa awesome Video clips.

Mike Campbell from The Heartbreakers ( now in Fleetwood Mac) said every time he plays the 1952 Fender Broadcaster he used on 'Breakdown' the sound guys can hear the difference and remark about it. A Fender Telecaster that is modded and is a "go to instrument" is so for good reason. If someone wants to own it and it makes them happy and they pay a ridiculous amount of money that's ok. YOLO.

" had them scrape the rest of the paint off" Rockstar LOL I had the Good Fortune to hear the band in 71 at a rock festival I think it was 6 bucks The Allman Brothers were there too with Dwayne not to mention Poco and Little Richard

Shivers. Quakes and fevers. Wow talk about magic.

Look at how the body was routed to inset the B16! This kind of Vibrato needs a neck shim added, but they LOWERED the B16. A lot more work than was necessary. Love it!

@williamknell864

6 жыл бұрын

I love that. No mention of it though. It'd be interesting to hear who's idea it was, and who did the work.

When Robbie smiles his face still lights up the room.

Robbie looks great!

Dam how do you let that old friend n travel companion go!!! No way.

SWEET JESUS, THE BLONDE ON BLONDE AND THE '66 ELECTRIC TOUR GUITAR?!??? BASEMENT TAPES AND WOODSTOCK??!

@cruzcontrol1303

3 жыл бұрын

And he’s just gonna give it away to some jackass probably

@creamydistortion

2 жыл бұрын

People say so. Whoodstok = gay.

Woah, never seen some of these pictures before.

How many good memories bringing me those chords of The Weight ... Rock of ages , The last Waltz , Before the Flood are burned in my mind ... that magic that u have in yours fingers , the guitar only makes it possible .

@shuswapian

5 жыл бұрын

The guitar he played on The Last Waltz was bronzed, so it must have been a different one.

@blackcrow7049

5 жыл бұрын

Yes , that's right but i did mention those albums because they bringing me a lot of good memories . Anyway The Last Waltz's guitar is a Fender Stratocaster customized , dipped in bronze , it was created specially for that concert . Before the Flood album was a Stratocaster too . Those times come never again ... still now was seeing a video of Warren Haynes with Dave Matthews Band playin' a Neil Young's cover '' Cortez , Cortez '' .... really fantastic . Greetings .

Robbie can sell a blind person a used car.

What a story and guitar Not sure why family would not cherish this ? Where is this guitar now Rip

I believe this guitar is pictured in inner sleeve of the second album by the Band eponymous titled

I remember buying the record Music from big pink when it first came out.

Peter Green from the first rendition of Fleetwood Mac used to give away his guitars (that could've probably fetched thousands) because he hated the idea of them being sold for these ridiculous prices and end up probably never being played again.

@themaelstromnotebook5418

2 жыл бұрын

I saw an ebony Les Paul of Peter's on Reverb recently (for 10,000 sterling... and I thought that incredibly cheap!)

@JerseyMiller

Жыл бұрын

Yeah but that's because he lost his mind from an LSD overdose. He ended up homeless and pennyless. Beware of beautiful half naked German girls who offer you free drugs.

Tele's are not only warhorses but great workhorses too. Damn near indestructible!

oh mama! can this really be the end?

That compartment under the pickgaurd probably was the home of hundreds of ounces of cocaine, reefer and pills for at least a decade. I love this guitar.

I thought he would of mentioned when the Bigsby was added!

Just listen to Robbie guys...C'mon!

Saw him use it at Jacksonville Florida auditorium 1970!

this is the ultimate grail guitar that’s ever existed. the 65 Newport strat is great, but to Dylan/Band fans, this beat up guitar is the Mona Lisa. Blonde on Blonde, the 66 tour, the first two band albums, this guitar created as much music history as any

In the early 80's I saw a bootleg of Don't Look Back and Robbie was playing a Tele in the live performances. THAT was the guitar I wanted.

I saw that baby played more than once. I'm too old now but a freak from a younger crowd that could care for it. That would be the best place.

I would love to hear about the Stella acoustic with a pickup I've seen him playing in old pictures with Dylan or better see some footage of him playing it. Love those old Stella's.

@christopherohara68

11 ай бұрын

Found a picture of him playing it with Dylan.

That's one nice vintage Tele

Just saw it again at the rrhof last Nov.

When did the Bigsby get added?

1965? Looks by the "spaghetti" Fender decal on the maple cap headstock a bit earlier?

@greyklopstock7155

4 жыл бұрын

That's part of what makes it unique. There were VERY few 65s with spaghetti decals. I believe it also might not have a skunk stripe on the back of the neck

Is this the black telecaster from the electric tour of England?

It deserves to be in some collectors hands? It deserves to be played and played. That guitar should belong to a musician. They make it seem as they were donating a heart to someone that needs it.

Amazing Magical Story Guitar 🎸 🌟⭐️✨💫⭐️🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

What a nice guy

Too bad he had it stripped. It would look so awesome with a little bit of the original black finish in places. Cool history though!

@paulfuller8985

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah , I agree Ben . Even with the original black all chipped it would look better than bare wood . I bet it sounds awesome though .

All the repairs, etc all add to it's credentials. Considering the movie The Last Waltz by The Band, and No Direction Home (Bob Dylan) and the other Dylan movies, and the events - Forrest Gump was popular because he unwittingly stumbled upon historical events. That guitar has him beat.

@adamstevens253

4 жыл бұрын

Robbie played a Strat in The Last Waltz.

Ok watched his reason’’’not good enough esp hearing how much he still loves it.

I could a never sold it even if I'm on borrowed time in life but I guess money makes the world go around.

WOW!!!!!

I was really enjoying this vid...and then, at the end...how sad. How sad to be that well off and not be able to or want to keep this guitar. You know, I had a 69 tele I played at the sock hops in high school in the early seventies, also a 70 les paul custom both traded off (along with a Traynor YBA-1) 'cause I "had to" in the eighties to make rent and how I wish I still had those in my hands. WOW... (I still have an early sixties Marine Band C harmonica my dad taught me to play Oh Suzanna on when I wuz a kid...HANDS OFF)

"...but it really can talk..." Yup...

anyone know the date of the pic of clapton holding robbie's tele???

@chrispywilliams1992

4 жыл бұрын

74 not sure of month

Why is the auctioneer bloke talking? He adds nothing - Robbie says more than enough.

@mikelandreth7810

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah he basically puts what Robbie just said in to his own words.

Sold for $490K .. Wow.

@fivecitydirttracker4776

3 жыл бұрын

And......worth every cent. I hope it is still played with new owners.

Interesting that Robbie installed that Humbucker "backwards" like Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac did on his Les Paul!

Does anyone know how much it fetched?

@fancykarlmarx

3 жыл бұрын

490k

Why would you sell this axe

The Judas guitar. Wow.

@jackielitten2865

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it inspired much hostility from audiences back then. And was duly vindicated with classic recordings and performances for many years thereafter. Ironically, from a more current perspective, Leo Fender's Telecaster is a hallowed vintage instrument that predates the '65-'66 Dylan "gone electric" era by some 15 years.

@fancykarlmarx

11 ай бұрын

@@jackielitten2865 it is the perfect guitar.

It sold for $490,000. That's a great price, actually. Could be a good investment

@ronlight7013

6 жыл бұрын

I agree, that price is quite fair. Do you have any idea about it's future destination?

@paulgeorgia8013

6 жыл бұрын

Ron Light it’s difficult to say, it was a private party that purchased it. However, I️ hear it is on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York

@elliotjacoby

5 жыл бұрын

I was there with my friend who bought it. He's a huge fan and we were both at Band shows in the early 70s. Thought it would be a cool investment.

@elliotjacoby

5 жыл бұрын

It is not.

@elliotjacoby

5 жыл бұрын

By the way, it plays and sounds amazng.

Is that a battery rout at 1:20?

@adamgreen6324

3 жыл бұрын

Weight relief done in the factory in that era

It seems very warm & not buzzing at all. ❤

Clapton’s ‘54 sunburst Strat is going up for sale soon I think. It’s expected to go for at least $1M, and that was only his ‘79-‘85 slide axe. Not nearly as historic as this Tele, IMO. I’m surprised this unparalleled relic didn’t fetch more than it did.

Wow look at those frets ! They look like railroad ties no I see telephone poles lining a highway and the strings are the wires rolling down the road of music those wires sending a song to you and me... man I really need to stop smoking weed. lol

Whoever wins it should display it at the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame and loan it out at certain times of the year to be played at special events and special occasions only.

@MrTwister50

4 жыл бұрын

NOTHING should EVER go to the R&R HOF. What an awful place.

A little nitpick but why the hell is he playing Tears of Rage in a completely different key than the original lol

@keef7224

3 жыл бұрын

I imagine he’s dropped it down to G over the years to suit his own voice. Richard wrote the melody for his own much higher falsetto.

I'd trade my retirment account to buy this - if I could afford it. Just so I could give it to my brother - a guitarist for over 60 years, and turns 70 this year.

👌👌😉😎

It's fucking sad that ths entire video is an ad. Unless the auction was raising money for a worthy cause, it's sad and gross that it's up for bid. Robbie should have given this money to a fellow musician, who would treasure it.

Wait how’s broke Robbie or Bob? Did Garth get helped out any?

@guitarman1477

3 жыл бұрын

Robbie left him, and the rest of them boys high and fucking dry , he’s a greedy fucker

Sold for $480,000 - benefit for American Indian College Fund.......

It brought $490k at the auction. Four bids.

Good job he didn’t hand it to jimi at Monterey ,,it could have ended up as firewood

It will be about money like everything else. I would just give it to someone who would keep the mojo alive instead of hanging it on an egoistic rich person's wall of shame! 🤔😔😌

Geez all that and its a commercial???

I don't want to know where this guitar ended up. There's no way a musician was able to buy it.

it wound up selling at auction for $750,000 to a private collector! $750,000!!!!!!!! lol

@timducote5713

11 ай бұрын

You can get a pristine original 1965 tele for a lot less than that. Honestly, it is absurd what some of these instruments go for just because they were owned by a celebrity.

so, was it sold???

@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore

4 жыл бұрын

NEW YORK - Julien’s Auctions sold over $6 million total in the sale of Property from the Life and Career of Prince and Music Icons sales May 18-19.One of the highly anticipated items of Saturday’s Music Icons auction, a 1965 Fender Telecaster owned by The Band’s Robbie Robertson sold for $490,000. The auction event sold over 600 lots and was held live at Hard Rock Cafe New York. Absentee and Internet bidding was available through

🎸guitars are meant to be played not put in a museum💪

This seems like a sad story. Why on earth would you part with an instrument that had such immense personal history unless you were broke.

@jackielitten2865

Жыл бұрын

I doubt that Robertson needed the cash. When his days have played out, someone else would continue to cherish the instrument. Recognizing that might have been the incentive to part with it.

@timducote5713

11 ай бұрын

Because its just a "thing." When one gets older, you realize what really is and isn't important. And the fact that you can take something and get half a million for it without lifting a finger has a lot of motivation.

Wonder why he didn't play it in the Last Waltz.?

@guitarman1477

3 жыл бұрын

He’d moved to a strat by then

Listening to an auctioneer tell me how "such an influential guitar" a guitar is. lol

George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson. Ok man. It's enough

If it were me I wouldn't flog it to no man

He is Canadian. Aye

RIP dear Robbie. ❤

It will just end up in a humidified safe; never played.

Guitar sold for $490K in 2018.. In 2023 it's probably worth over a million dollars... Whoever purchased it ( anonymous buyer ) made a wise investment

Jeez that auctioneer dude can't shut the hell up. I just want to listen to Robbie.

@amaj7313

4 жыл бұрын

It's the editors fault.

Legend- RIP