'The Band' guitarist Robbie Robertson dies at 80

Guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson died Wednesday at the age of 80.

His family announced his passing via the musician's X account.

"Robbie was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, including his wife, Janet, he ex-wife Dominique, her partner Nicholas, and his children Alexandra, Sebastian, Delphine, and Delphine's partner Kenny," the family stated. "He is also survived by his grandchildren Angelica, Donovan, Dominic, Gabriel, and Seraphina."

"Robertson recently completed his fourteenth film music project with frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon," they continued. "In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Centre."

Robertson was perhaps best known as the guitarist for "The Band," and the composer of some of its greatest hits, including "The Weight," "Up on Cripple Creek," and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." He was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

The musician was also a frequent collaborator with director Martin Scorsese, serving as a music producer for many of his films, including "Gangs of New York," "The Departed," "Shutter Island," "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Silence," and "The Irishman," according to Variety.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.