Garth Hudson, who played organ, accordion, saxophone, and more as a member of the Band—perhaps still the group that best embodies the glorious, lawless amalgamation of styles at the very heart of rock and roll—died at the age of eighty-seven,

Garth Hudson, the keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist of The Band, has died at the age of 87. His passing was confirmed in a statement shared on The Band’s official Instagram page on Tuesday, January 21.

A multifaceted musician, he was the last surviving original member of an influential group that mixed rock, r&b and an Americana sound.

Organist Eric “Garth” Hudson of rock group The Band, died on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at age 87. He was the last surviving member of the original 1960s and ‘70s group. Hudson was also the only member of The Band to never sing on stage.

The Canadian virtuoso, known for his solo on “Chest Fever,” gave the group a “sound twice as big” and his mates music lessons.

Therefore, it is with a huge sigh that I note the death of Garth Hudson, the Band’s keyboard player, at the age of 87 years old. He was the last surviving member of the group. Keyboard player does not begin to describe Garth’s talents and passions. As The New York Times noted:

Garth Hudson, the Band’s virtuoso keyboardist and all-around musician, has died at age 87. Hudson, the eldest and last survivor of the group which once backed Bob Dylan, has died at age 87.

The group's official Instagram page dubbed Hudson "a musical genius and cornerstone of the group’s timeless sound."

Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, has died. He was 87. Hudson died early Tuesday in a nursing home near Woodstock, New York, his former manager, Jim Della Croce, confirmed to USA TODAY.