Garth Hudson, the last surviving founding member of the beloved roots-rock ensemble The Band, has died. The Canadian musician was 87 years old. His close friend Jan Haust, a music archivist and producer, confirmed the news to NPR. “He was a divine musical gentleman,” Haust says. “He died peacefully in his sleep, holding the hand of someone he loved.”
Born Eric Hudson in Windsor, Ontario, in 1937, the musician grew up with parents who supported his talents, both multi-instrumentalists themselves. When Hudson was repeatedly approached by members of what would become The Band, he initially declined to join. It was only with a few special conditions — including an extra $10 a week to teach music lessons to the other members, which he hoped would help earn his rock-averse parents’ approval — that he finally gave in.
At that point, the group was working as the backing band for rockabilly singer …