Garth Hudson of The Band: An “American Roots Radio” Memorial Tribute (Sat., 2/1)

text by Ted Coe

31 January, 2025

On Saturday, February 1st, KCSB’s Witch Doctor, host of “American Roots Radio” (Saturdays, 9-11am PST) will be sharing with listeners a tribute to the late-great Garth Hudson (August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025) of the Canadian-American rock group, The Band.

The Witch Doctor says: “Garth Hudson was the oldest and last living member of The Band, and his passing marks the end of an era. This episode of ‘American Roots Radio’ will take a retrospective look at Garth’s life and work, highlighting his unique and essential contribution to The Band, as well as his work as a much sought after session musician.

Images and coverage around The Band at UCSB in 1970.

Advertising and coverage of The Band in concert at UCSB in 1970 (fair use images from the El Gaucho newspaper). Garth Hudson was their bearded member here.

(alexandria.ucsb.edu)

It will also include various other noteworthy bands and projects of which he was a participant. As a multi-instrumentalist (keyboards, saxophone and accordion) with a widely diverse background ranging from Anglican church music to early R&B, Garth Hudson helped shape the western musical landscape starting in the latter half of the 20th century up to the present day. Please join us as we salute and celebrate the soft-spoken, understated master, Garth Hudson!”

“American Roots Radio” airs on 91.9 FM KCSB, Saturdays in the winter from 9-11am PST (streaming live at KCSB.org/listen). An archival recording of the program is available via streaming on demand by clicking on the Feb. 1 edition of “American Roots Radio” on this schedule grid here: www.kcsb.org/schedule