Robbie Robertson, Capitol Comment On Rick Danko

12/13/1999 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(12/13/99, 4 p.m. ET) - Former Band singer/guitarist Robbie Robertson, a longtime friend of bassist Rick Danko, has released a statement following Danko's death last week (LAUNCH, 12/10).

"I think Rick was one of the greatest and most soulful singers I've ever heard," Robertson said in the statement. "Definitely, the most original bass player I've ever heard, and one of the kindest hearts to have ever graced this planet. I feel blessed to have known and loved him and to have had the opportunity to work with him for all those years. And I will sadly miss him."

Capitol Records also released a statement regarding Danko. Roy Lott, president/chief executive officer of Capitol Records, said in a statement, "We are deeply saddened to learn of Rick Danko's passing. As a founding member of the Band, his contribution to Capitol's legacy and, more importantly, the history of rock and roll, were groundbreaking."

The Band recorded several albums for Capitol Records, including its highly acclaimed 1968 debut Music From Big Pink.

Danko died at his Marbletown, N.Y. home last Friday morning (Dec. 10). At press time, the New York State Police had no further information on the cause of death. A spokesperson for the medical examiner told LAUNCH that there won't be any statements released until Wednesday (Dec. 15), at the earliest.

-- Bruce Simon and Sue Falco, New York

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