Eric Garth Hudson, a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, was the keyboardist and occasional saxophonist for the renowned rock group, the Band. His contributions to the Band's distinctive sound led to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Keyboard magazine hailed him as the "most brilliant organist in the rock world." He was a core member shaping the Band's musical identity and remained the last surviving original member of the group.
Garth Hudson was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on August 2, 1937.
Around 1940, Garth Hudson's family moved from Windsor to London, Ontario.
Garth Hudson began playing professionally with dance bands in 1949, at the age of twelve.
Garth Hudson joined the London band the Silhouettes in 1956.
The Silhouettes, including Garth Hudson, joined with Paul Hutchins and became Paul London and the Capers in 1958.
Paul London and the Capers recorded songs in Toronto and at Chess Studios in Chicago in 1960.
In December 1961, Garth Hudson agreed to join Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks, with the conditions of receiving a Lowrey organ and providing music lessons to the other band members.
The Hawks split from Ronnie Hawkins in 1963 and began touring as Levon and the Hawks.
The Hawks were introduced to Bob Dylan in August 1965.
Garth Hudson started session work, playing on John Hammond Jr.'s album "So Many Roads" in 1965.
The Hawks recorded material with Bob Dylan for the "Blonde on Blonde" album in January 1966.
Following Bob Dylan's motorcycle accident in July 1966, the group relocated near Woodstock, where they collaborated with Dylan on recordings that later became known as "The Basement Tapes".
The Band released their debut album, "Music from Big Pink", in 1968.
Garth Hudson acquired a new Lowrey Lincolnwood TSO-25 organ in 1969 while playing with Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks and later, Bob Dylan and the Band.
The Band released the album "Northern Lights - Southern Cross" in 1975, the first album recorded in their Shangri-La studio.
The Band performed their final concert as a touring band on Thanksgiving Day 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom, documented in the film "The Last Waltz".
Garth Hudson's property, Big Oak Basin Dude Ranch in Malibu, was destroyed by wildfires in 1978.
In 1978, Richard Manuel, a fellow Band member, resided at Garth Hudson's ranch.
Garth Hudson composed music for "Our Lady Queen of the Angels", a multimedia show for the Los Angeles bicentennial in 1980.
In 1983, The Band reformed without Robbie Robertson.
In 1986, Richard Manuel died by suicide.
In 1986, Garth Hudson composed the electronic score for the off-Broadway production "Dragon Slayers".
Garth Hudson recorded "Feed the Birds" for the album "Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films" in 1988.
Garth Hudson, as a member of the Band, was inducted into the Juno Hall of Fame in 1989.
In 1990, Hudson participated in Roger Waters's performance of The Wall at the Berlin Wall, playing accordion and soprano saxophone.
The off-Broadway play "Dragon Slayers", for which Garth Hudson composed the music, was restaged in Los Angeles in 1990.
Garth Hudson and The Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Garth Hudson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Band in 1994.
A recording of Dylan's 1966 performance with The Hawks, titled "The Royal Albert Hall" Concert, was released in 1998.
Garth Hudson released his first solo album, "The Sea to the North", on September 11, 2001.
On July 13, 2002, Garth Hudson received the Canada South Blues Society's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Garth Hudson co-founded the group Burrito Deluxe in 2002.
In 2004, Sneaky Pete Kleinow left Burrito Deluxe due to health issues.
Garth Hudson received the Hamilton Music Award for Best Instrumentalist on November 20, 2005.
Garth Hudson formed his 12-piece band, the Best!, and released the live album "Live at the Wolf" with his wife Maud in 2005.
In 2006, Garth Hudson performed with artists such as Ronnie Hawkins, the Sadies, and Neko Case.
Throughout 2006, Garth Hudson worked as a session player with various artists, including Neko Case and Teddy Thompson.
Garth Hudson was prominently featured in the 2007 Daniel Lanois documentary "Here Is What Is".
Garth Hudson released the album "Garth Hudson Presents: A Canadian Celebration of the Band" in 2010, featuring various Canadian artists.
Maud Hudson, Garth's wife, passed away on February 28, 2022.
On April 16, 2023, Garth Hudson made a public appearance, performing at the Flower Hill House Concert No. 6 in Kingston, New York.
Garth Hudson, the last surviving original member of The Band, passed away on January 21, 2025.