OBIT-Robbie Robertson

Musician and songwriter Robbie Robertson of The Band has died at the age of 80. Robertson was the group’s lead guitarist and songwriter and helped reshape American music. Publicist Ray Costa says in a statement that Robertson died surrounded by family in Los Angeles after a long illness. Fellow Canadians have issued tributes on social media, with actor Kiefer Sutherland posting that the loss was “heartbreaking” and that “Canada has lost an icon.”