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Insomnia
Having taken what would turn out to be a permanent break from the Band, guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson's marriage disintegrated. Seeking solace and a safe haven, Robbie moved into Martin Scorsese's home on Mulholland Drive - Scorsese had recently directed the film of the Band's legendary final concert, The Last Waltz, and the two were fast and firm friends.The two years Robbie and Marty lived together entered Hollywood legend, though nobody knows the details of what actually occurred during that time, other than hearing rumours of cocaine, bacchanalian parties, and untold amounts of debauchery (with Robbie & Marty becoming Hollywood's odd couple, barely leaving the house or each other's company, and ordering in MGM reels they would watch in Marty's home cinema). When they finally emerged, it was having forged a new creative partnership - Scorsese going on to direct Raging Bull with Robbie writing the soundtrack.Insomnia provides an integral glimpse into both Robertson and Scorsese's lives during an untamed period in American culture. Building upon the vast and arching scale of Robbie's first autobiography, Testimony, Insomnia takes a sharply personal turn, exploring the fascinating friendship between an influential rocker and a visionary filmmaker, and the high octane exploits that resulted during the late 1970s when both decided to 'cut loose'.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2025
About the author
Robbie Robertson
32 books95 followersRobbie Robertson was the guitarist and principal songwriter in The Band. He grew up in Toronto and on the Brantford Six Nations Reserve before heading to Arkansas to join Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. He has produced many movie soundtracks for Martin Scorsese, including Raging Bull, and others, and continues to record as a solo artist. His most recent record, How to Become Clairvoyant, came out in 2011. His support of NA Native Music has been galvanizing. Robertson is coauthor of the children’s book Legends, Icons & Rebels, and author of the memoir Testimony, and the children's book, Hiawatha and the Peacemaker. He lives in Los Angeles and visits Canada often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 27, 2026
Into and Out of a Dark Tunnel 🍁
A review of the Knopf Canada hardcover (November 11, 2025) released simultaneously with the ebook/audiobook.
I have to give a more reserved 4-star rating to Insomnia, which continues Robbie Robertson's (1943-2023) life story almost 10 years after the publication of Testimony: A Memoir (2016), which I 5-star reviewed as Once Were Brothers.
This further book centres on Robertson's friendship with film director Martin Scorcese which began in 1976 during a 2-year obsessive descent into music and film, often fueled by copious amounts of cocaine. Out of that emerged the concert film The Last Waltz (1978). Combined with his concurrent work on New York, New York (1977), Scorcese burned himself out and had a near fatal collapse at the end of that period. After that, both men pulled themselves back from the brink.
Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorcese in 1978. Image sourced from the LA Times.
Scorcese went on to make Raging Bull (1980) in which Robertson worked as a music consultant, a role which he played in almost every subsequent Scorcese film until Flowers of the Killer Moon (2023), before his passing. Robertson also went on to his own brief film career, acting and producing Carny (1980) before settling into life as a solo musician with several unique albums.
The more modest rating is partially from the disappointment that over 40 years of the story post-1980 is left untold. There is nothing about the later film and music work. One is left to wonder whether it was written but deemed not to be dramatic enough for publication. That was perhaps a decision by the family and the editors and publishers.
Soundtrack
Image sourced from Discogs.
A limited edition vinyl LP containing some of Robertson's music for the films The Last Waltz, Raging Bull and Carny was released in conjunction with the book.
Someone has assembled a playlist of almost all of the songs mentioned in Insomnia, although not always necessarily the exact performance that was discussed. You can listen to the playlist at Spotify here.
A review of the Knopf Canada hardcover (November 11, 2025) released simultaneously with the ebook/audiobook.
Something rang true between us, and that's all we were going on. We became housemates, an odd couple, blood brothers, James Brothers, and Marx Brothers, all in one. A blessed intervention against the banality of the ordinary and the obvious. We went through a wild, creative, mad time together that sent us into a dark tunnel, trying to find the light. Then we woke up...
I have to give a more reserved 4-star rating to Insomnia, which continues Robbie Robertson's (1943-2023) life story almost 10 years after the publication of Testimony: A Memoir (2016), which I 5-star reviewed as Once Were Brothers.
This further book centres on Robertson's friendship with film director Martin Scorcese which began in 1976 during a 2-year obsessive descent into music and film, often fueled by copious amounts of cocaine. Out of that emerged the concert film The Last Waltz (1978). Combined with his concurrent work on New York, New York (1977), Scorcese burned himself out and had a near fatal collapse at the end of that period. After that, both men pulled themselves back from the brink.
Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorcese in 1978. Image sourced from the LA Times.
Scorcese went on to make Raging Bull (1980) in which Robertson worked as a music consultant, a role which he played in almost every subsequent Scorcese film until Flowers of the Killer Moon (2023), before his passing. Robertson also went on to his own brief film career, acting and producing Carny (1980) before settling into life as a solo musician with several unique albums.
The more modest rating is partially from the disappointment that over 40 years of the story post-1980 is left untold. There is nothing about the later film and music work. One is left to wonder whether it was written but deemed not to be dramatic enough for publication. That was perhaps a decision by the family and the editors and publishers.
Soundtrack
Image sourced from Discogs.
A limited edition vinyl LP containing some of Robertson's music for the films The Last Waltz, Raging Bull and Carny was released in conjunction with the book.
Someone has assembled a playlist of almost all of the songs mentioned in Insomnia, although not always necessarily the exact performance that was discussed. You can listen to the playlist at Spotify here.
November 15, 2025
Sex and drugs and rock and roll gets a little repetitive, don't it.
A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, and I guess I ought not bag on the guy posthumously, but Jaime was no gentleman. On the other hand, I suppose if I had liaisons with Genevieve Bujold, Jennifer O'Neill, and Tuesday Weld I might just set it down on paper to reassure myself I was not merely dreaming.
A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, and I guess I ought not bag on the guy posthumously, but Jaime was no gentleman. On the other hand, I suppose if I had liaisons with Genevieve Bujold, Jennifer O'Neill, and Tuesday Weld I might just set it down on paper to reassure myself I was not merely dreaming.
November 11, 2025
I remember he said he had started working on this. I don’t remember if it was an interview or if it had been posted to social media.
Like Dominique’s afterword suggested, I’m sure he had more to say if he had the time to do so and I would have been here hanging on every word as I have done for the last 30+ years.
So grateful to have this and Testimony.
Like Dominique’s afterword suggested, I’m sure he had more to say if he had the time to do so and I would have been here hanging on every word as I have done for the last 30+ years.
So grateful to have this and Testimony.
November 6, 2025
I can't believe it's been almost a decade since my frustrating experience with Robbie Robertson's first memoir Testimony. (You can read my review of that book here if you're interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
A lot has changed since then. Not only has Robbie passed away, but I'm not as obsessed with The Band as I once was, so I had a much more enjoyable experience reading this posthumous memoir than the first one. Though quite lengthy at over 500 pages, I always felt that Testimony ended abruptly, as if there was more to the story. This second memoir serves as the final part of the narrative I had been looking for.
In early 1977, after both of their wives leave them, musician Robbie Robertson and filmmaker Martin Scorsese grow closer following the making of the concert documentary The Last Waltz. Determined to complete the film, even when Robertson’s bandmate Levon Helm feels otherwise, the two men move in together and become lifelong “brothers.” You can see how Robbie’s replacing one so-called “brotherhood” (The Band) with another (Scorsese). Their nearly two-year living arrangement, which Robertson describes as a cycle of quaaludes, cocaine, marijuana, and Valium, ends in September 1978 when Scorsese suffers a near-fatal drug overdose. Hospitalized for ten days, he experienced severe internal bleeding and was at risk of a brain hemorrhage. (I had to look this up, as Robertson doesn’t provide specifics but clearly acknowledges that their lifestyle would have killed both of them if they didn’t change.)
As a longtime fan of The Band, I've spent years reading about Rick Danko and Richard Manuel’s addictions (there are sad details about Richard’s struggles, including his depression and a specific incident where he shot himself with a pellet gun), this book makes it crystal clear that Robbie had his own addiction issues, and he was fortunate to come out alive. I hope this memoir changes the unfair perceptions that the other guys brought down The Band with their "lifestyles," when Robbie was no choir boy.
The book doesn’t provide much information about The Band itself, which is a shame because this is when it was all coming to an end for the group as we knew it. There is a brief mention of Rick Danko’s gig at the Roxy in March 1978, which was the last time the five original members played together. I would have liked more details about this last show, but perhaps Robbie doesn’t remember it due to drug use or for other reasons (probably his mythologizing of The Last Waltz doesn’t help either.)
Speaking of The Last Waltz, I enjoyed the fascinating details about how this documentary came to be. Regardless of your opinion, film buffs Robertson and Scorsese ensured this was more than just any old concert movie by including additional performances filmed at the MGM soundstage in Culver City, conducting sit-down interviews at Shangri-La in Malibu, and became a timeless classic thanks to Scorsese’s own meticulous attention to detail.
From his point of view, the other three members seemed to be on good terms with Robbie - there is even a detailed section about Richard and Garth collaborating with him on the Raging Bull soundtrack - but Levon remains more distant than ever. He clearly disliked The Last Waltz from the start and was angry about the entire project. I have to disagree with Levon on this one, as the documentary has been an excellent way for people to discover the group. It serves as a recorded document that has stood the test of time and has brought joy to so many, especially during the holidays. I’m glad it was made.
We will probably never know what caused the rift between Robbie and Levon, as Robbie does not go deep on or explain what might have happened there. This was also my issue with Testimony. There is a lot of reminiscing and looking back, but for whatever reason, Robbie chooses not to self-reflect. Maybe he just doesn’t want to go there. As someone who is now middle-aged, friendships just grow apart naturally. I have friends I’ve known forever. We pick up where we left off, but we just aren’t as close as we once were. Life happens. Maybe that's what happened with Robbie and Levon. Or it could be exactly what Rick Danko once alluded to in an interview, that Robbie became too Hollywood and “was all about hanging out with those Armani suits.”
I have always felt that Robbie exhibited a streak of manipulation and passive-aggressiveness in his relationships, whether he acknowledged it or not. I got this impression after reading Testimony in how he dealt with his bandmates and that feeling returned with Insomnia in terms of his relationships with women. Robbie becomes involved with actress Genevieve Bujold, who is the best friend of his estranged wife, Dominique. Interestingly, Dominique’s new boyfriend happens to be the architect and contractor of Bujold’s new home in the Malibu Colony where the Robertsons live. Robbie also sleeps with a number of other women, including actress Jennifer O’Neill, model Lori Traversi Gleason (who you might remember from that ‘Tupelo Honey’ scene...seriously look it up on YouTube), French actress Carole Bouquet, and actress Tuesday Weld. I’m not using this against him, but it was interesting to observe these encounters. Robbie’s always been a name dropper, so I wasn’t surprised by them or the multiple appearances of other celebrities like Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, and Francis Ford Coppola.
The book might not be about The Band, which I would have enjoyed more, but I highly recommend reading it for the insights into the making of The Last Waltz and for better understanding Martin Scorsese as a person and filmmaker. It offers a snapshot of a moment in time, the late 1970s, and Robbie Robertson’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there with them. Thanks to Crown Publishing for sending me an advanced copy!
A lot has changed since then. Not only has Robbie passed away, but I'm not as obsessed with The Band as I once was, so I had a much more enjoyable experience reading this posthumous memoir than the first one. Though quite lengthy at over 500 pages, I always felt that Testimony ended abruptly, as if there was more to the story. This second memoir serves as the final part of the narrative I had been looking for.
In early 1977, after both of their wives leave them, musician Robbie Robertson and filmmaker Martin Scorsese grow closer following the making of the concert documentary The Last Waltz. Determined to complete the film, even when Robertson’s bandmate Levon Helm feels otherwise, the two men move in together and become lifelong “brothers.” You can see how Robbie’s replacing one so-called “brotherhood” (The Band) with another (Scorsese). Their nearly two-year living arrangement, which Robertson describes as a cycle of quaaludes, cocaine, marijuana, and Valium, ends in September 1978 when Scorsese suffers a near-fatal drug overdose. Hospitalized for ten days, he experienced severe internal bleeding and was at risk of a brain hemorrhage. (I had to look this up, as Robertson doesn’t provide specifics but clearly acknowledges that their lifestyle would have killed both of them if they didn’t change.)
As a longtime fan of The Band, I've spent years reading about Rick Danko and Richard Manuel’s addictions (there are sad details about Richard’s struggles, including his depression and a specific incident where he shot himself with a pellet gun), this book makes it crystal clear that Robbie had his own addiction issues, and he was fortunate to come out alive. I hope this memoir changes the unfair perceptions that the other guys brought down The Band with their "lifestyles," when Robbie was no choir boy.
The book doesn’t provide much information about The Band itself, which is a shame because this is when it was all coming to an end for the group as we knew it. There is a brief mention of Rick Danko’s gig at the Roxy in March 1978, which was the last time the five original members played together. I would have liked more details about this last show, but perhaps Robbie doesn’t remember it due to drug use or for other reasons (probably his mythologizing of The Last Waltz doesn’t help either.)
Speaking of The Last Waltz, I enjoyed the fascinating details about how this documentary came to be. Regardless of your opinion, film buffs Robertson and Scorsese ensured this was more than just any old concert movie by including additional performances filmed at the MGM soundstage in Culver City, conducting sit-down interviews at Shangri-La in Malibu, and became a timeless classic thanks to Scorsese’s own meticulous attention to detail.
From his point of view, the other three members seemed to be on good terms with Robbie - there is even a detailed section about Richard and Garth collaborating with him on the Raging Bull soundtrack - but Levon remains more distant than ever. He clearly disliked The Last Waltz from the start and was angry about the entire project. I have to disagree with Levon on this one, as the documentary has been an excellent way for people to discover the group. It serves as a recorded document that has stood the test of time and has brought joy to so many, especially during the holidays. I’m glad it was made.
We will probably never know what caused the rift between Robbie and Levon, as Robbie does not go deep on or explain what might have happened there. This was also my issue with Testimony. There is a lot of reminiscing and looking back, but for whatever reason, Robbie chooses not to self-reflect. Maybe he just doesn’t want to go there. As someone who is now middle-aged, friendships just grow apart naturally. I have friends I’ve known forever. We pick up where we left off, but we just aren’t as close as we once were. Life happens. Maybe that's what happened with Robbie and Levon. Or it could be exactly what Rick Danko once alluded to in an interview, that Robbie became too Hollywood and “was all about hanging out with those Armani suits.”
I have always felt that Robbie exhibited a streak of manipulation and passive-aggressiveness in his relationships, whether he acknowledged it or not. I got this impression after reading Testimony in how he dealt with his bandmates and that feeling returned with Insomnia in terms of his relationships with women. Robbie becomes involved with actress Genevieve Bujold, who is the best friend of his estranged wife, Dominique. Interestingly, Dominique’s new boyfriend happens to be the architect and contractor of Bujold’s new home in the Malibu Colony where the Robertsons live. Robbie also sleeps with a number of other women, including actress Jennifer O’Neill, model Lori Traversi Gleason (who you might remember from that ‘Tupelo Honey’ scene...seriously look it up on YouTube), French actress Carole Bouquet, and actress Tuesday Weld. I’m not using this against him, but it was interesting to observe these encounters. Robbie’s always been a name dropper, so I wasn’t surprised by them or the multiple appearances of other celebrities like Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, and Francis Ford Coppola.
The book might not be about The Band, which I would have enjoyed more, but I highly recommend reading it for the insights into the making of The Last Waltz and for better understanding Martin Scorsese as a person and filmmaker. It offers a snapshot of a moment in time, the late 1970s, and Robbie Robertson’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there with them. Thanks to Crown Publishing for sending me an advanced copy!
December 12, 2025
Robbie Robertson takes egotistical selfishness to a new level. It's amazing that he was so successful when he was surrounded by so many losers. Anyone whose name is mentioned in this book should p*** on his grave. I'm a huge fan of The Band and The Last Waltz but Robbie's portrayals of his cohorts are disgusting. His ability to find no fault in his own shortcomings is incredible . This book should be titled I'm Amazing, just ask me.
January 9, 2026
a shocker to absolutely no one: robbie is as amazing a writer as ever. the only downside to this book is that it didn’t detail the next 40 years of his life. no one deserves immortality more than robbie robertson did.
January 9, 2026
The Band is my favorite band. It has been for over 20 years. I've read a lot of books about the Band including two others before this written by members of The Band. I'm not a Robbie hater. I love Robbie and all the guys. I was excited to read about his post-Last Waltz life with Marty that I had heard so much about. I did not like this book. I had issues with his last book, Testimony, but generally liked it and felt like I got a lot out of it. I can't say the same about Insomnia. The thing that bothers me the most about it is that the writing feels inauthentic. I don't expect Robbie to remember every word of conversations that happened over 40 years ago but all the dialog is so wooden and generally self-serving. Somehow Robbie is always the cleverest, smoothest, most likable guy in the world. Women (especially famous ones) throw themselves at him. Everyone makes poor decisions except for him. And his life with Scorsese isn't even that interesting. They do blow and watch movies in between stories of Robbie bedding another starlet. I also Robbie also had a better understanding of what each member of The Band was going through post-Last Waltz than what he writes in the few pages he dedicates to them. "I miss my brothers but here's how they're losers without me." There are some good moments in this book but overall I found it pretty disappointing. If anything, it's an interesting look into Robbie's psyche and how he views himself in the world.
February 1, 2026
This was terrible. More self-indulgent and less self-aware than I thought possible, and written like a grade schooler. I don’t understand how anyone could rate this anything above a 2; the only redeeming aspect is learning a bit about the Scorsese crew of that time and some cinematic history.
April 9, 2026
This is a rock and roll memoir of a very specific time: the making of the documentary The Last Waltz, in 1977-78.
It’s told by Robbie Robertson, front man for The Band. This was their last concert, a farewell party on Thanksgiving night 1976 joined by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and others. (It’s on Prime Video - watch it. It’s great.)
Robertson has just been booted out of his house by his wife. He is missing his three kids, and sees them most every weekend. Love the family man aspect.
He is invited to move in with Martin Scorsese, whose wife just left him. The boys live a hedonistic and nocturnal life, doing a lot of drugs, screwing a lot of women, watching a lot of movies. They are working on the production of the film. I found their lifestyle eye-rollingly repulsive, but was fascinated by the details of making the movie. Filming interviews, getting releases, selecting camera angles, filming extra songs in a studio, working on the background music, even the credits.
There’s a ton of superstar name-dropping. Marty starts dating Isabella Rossellini. Robbie dates Genevieve Bujold. Francis Ford Coppola sends over a personal chef to cook for the boys. Jack Nicholson shows up at parties left and right. Robert De Niro is packing on 60 pounds for his Raging Bull role. Such is the nature of a celebrity bio!
I didn’t know much before of Robertson’s background - as a Canadian, as the son of a First Nations Mohawk woman and a Jewish smooth talker long dead. He went on to be something of an activist for native peoples. I was intrigued by his work with movie soundtracks.
Read this if you like rock and roll and if you’re a little curious about the rock and roll lifestyle.
PS There is lifestyle redemption, sort of, by the end of the book.
It’s told by Robbie Robertson, front man for The Band. This was their last concert, a farewell party on Thanksgiving night 1976 joined by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and others. (It’s on Prime Video - watch it. It’s great.)
Robertson has just been booted out of his house by his wife. He is missing his three kids, and sees them most every weekend. Love the family man aspect.
He is invited to move in with Martin Scorsese, whose wife just left him. The boys live a hedonistic and nocturnal life, doing a lot of drugs, screwing a lot of women, watching a lot of movies. They are working on the production of the film. I found their lifestyle eye-rollingly repulsive, but was fascinated by the details of making the movie. Filming interviews, getting releases, selecting camera angles, filming extra songs in a studio, working on the background music, even the credits.
There’s a ton of superstar name-dropping. Marty starts dating Isabella Rossellini. Robbie dates Genevieve Bujold. Francis Ford Coppola sends over a personal chef to cook for the boys. Jack Nicholson shows up at parties left and right. Robert De Niro is packing on 60 pounds for his Raging Bull role. Such is the nature of a celebrity bio!
I didn’t know much before of Robertson’s background - as a Canadian, as the son of a First Nations Mohawk woman and a Jewish smooth talker long dead. He went on to be something of an activist for native peoples. I was intrigued by his work with movie soundtracks.
Read this if you like rock and roll and if you’re a little curious about the rock and roll lifestyle.
PS There is lifestyle redemption, sort of, by the end of the book.
December 28, 2025
A bit redundant, but created a great mind world atmosphere of that period of 1977 - 1978 and into 1980. You'll learn a lo about Martin Scorsese's near death experience and rock and roll life with THE BAND's Robbie Robertson when they cohabitated between NEW YORK NEW YORK and the making of RAGING BULL. Melancholy afterward by Robertson's ex-wife. So much dangerous emotional and physical "fun".
November 15, 2025
Great portrayal on rock and roll in the 70s. Fun quick read
January 7, 2026
Moderately interesting but a lot of name-dropping and superficial description. Focuses mostly on the editing of The Last Waltz and planning of Raging Bull. I was left questioning just how deep the relationship really was or whether they were just enjoying the alcohol and drug fuelled existence together. Short on profound revelations.
Love the music though, especially the solo stuff, so at least it gave me a reason to pull a few CDs off the shelf and revisit…
Love the music though, especially the solo stuff, so at least it gave me a reason to pull a few CDs off the shelf and revisit…
January 30, 2026
A very entertaining read that details an exciting period of Robertson's career. Probably the most exciting era. On the other hand he was dealing with a separation from his wife which caused him to accept the offer from Martin Scorsese to move into his house in the Hollywood hills. Robertson was touched and grateful for this generosity and the friendship with Scorsese is the foundation of the book. At the time, the two were working to finish "the Last Waltz" film and the stories around the release of the film are what moves things into high gear for Robertson.
In the film, Robbie comes across as the most handsome and charismatic member of the Band. He even wears a scarf throughout the concert which must have caused some flack from the rest of the group. The fact that he was with Scorsese throughout the post production and editing could be why he ends up looking so good in the final version. I'm sure that was another gripe his bandmates must have had. You know he was looking good when, during the press tour for the movie, he finds himself having dalliances with Jennifer O'Neil, Tuesday Weld and Genevieve Bujold. Not too shabby!
It's no secret or surprise to folks who've seen the Last Waltz that everyone involved was doing coke. Neil Young didn't want to be in the movie because one could plainly see a lil white nugget still in his nostril. Robertson convinced him they could "fix it in post." There are interview scenes where its obvious someone has just done a line off camera but still inhaling on camera. Indeed, this situation was parodied in "This is Spinal Tap."
As it always does, cocaine takes it's toll on Robertson and especially Scorsese who ends up hospitalized. Robertson then tries out acting himself as well as producing in the movie "Carny," which spells the end of his desire to be an actor or producer. What he does end up doing however is foreshadowed in the book when he offers to help Scorsese add background music for the film "Raging Bull." With a tight deadline looming, Robertson gets his bandmates Garth and Richard as well as a few other friends to quickly record some standards and one original tune for scenes taking place in 1950's era Webster Hall and other New York venues. This was a fascinating part of the story that came near the end. Robertson went on help with the music on many other films afterwards.
I listened to the audio book which was narrated by Robertson. He does a wonderful job telling the story and his vocal inflections add color to the prose. He was also spot on taking on the voices of folks like Scorsese or his band mate Levon Helm. What's weird though is that its his voice also reading his wife's after word. They must have used AI on that as the afterword is in Robertson's voice and it speaks of Robertson's death which happened before the book was even released. That was pretty spooky TBH.
In the film, Robbie comes across as the most handsome and charismatic member of the Band. He even wears a scarf throughout the concert which must have caused some flack from the rest of the group. The fact that he was with Scorsese throughout the post production and editing could be why he ends up looking so good in the final version. I'm sure that was another gripe his bandmates must have had. You know he was looking good when, during the press tour for the movie, he finds himself having dalliances with Jennifer O'Neil, Tuesday Weld and Genevieve Bujold. Not too shabby!
It's no secret or surprise to folks who've seen the Last Waltz that everyone involved was doing coke. Neil Young didn't want to be in the movie because one could plainly see a lil white nugget still in his nostril. Robertson convinced him they could "fix it in post." There are interview scenes where its obvious someone has just done a line off camera but still inhaling on camera. Indeed, this situation was parodied in "This is Spinal Tap."
As it always does, cocaine takes it's toll on Robertson and especially Scorsese who ends up hospitalized. Robertson then tries out acting himself as well as producing in the movie "Carny," which spells the end of his desire to be an actor or producer. What he does end up doing however is foreshadowed in the book when he offers to help Scorsese add background music for the film "Raging Bull." With a tight deadline looming, Robertson gets his bandmates Garth and Richard as well as a few other friends to quickly record some standards and one original tune for scenes taking place in 1950's era Webster Hall and other New York venues. This was a fascinating part of the story that came near the end. Robertson went on help with the music on many other films afterwards.
I listened to the audio book which was narrated by Robertson. He does a wonderful job telling the story and his vocal inflections add color to the prose. He was also spot on taking on the voices of folks like Scorsese or his band mate Levon Helm. What's weird though is that its his voice also reading his wife's after word. They must have used AI on that as the afterword is in Robertson's voice and it speaks of Robertson's death which happened before the book was even released. That was pretty spooky TBH.
November 14, 2025
I assumed Robbie Robertson's sequel to his memoir "Testimony" would cover his collaborative years with Martin Scorsese and then go on to look at his solo career, as well. Whether intentional or because he ran out of time before his death, "Insomnia" is a much more focused work, and practically a love letter to Scorsese and their time together from 1975-1980 as coke-fueled running buddies and roommates. Both are in a dark period in their lives -- Scorsese after the failure of "New York, New York" and a tempestuous fling with Liza Minnelli; Robertson after a split from his wife and from his colleagues in The Band after "The Last Waltz." The musician and the director move in together in Beverly Hills, black out the curtains and start doing prodigious amounts of blow. As in his first book, Robertson writes eloquently about his split life, yearning for his wife and family while chasing after every pretty face he sees. (And, boy, does Robbie have the touch: Genevieve Bujold, Jennifer O'Neill and, for one glorious night, Tuesday Weld. He does fail at wooing Sophia Loren, but, man, the cojones to try!) Robertson calls Scorsese "Maestro" and generously describes their deep friendship while confirming Scorsese's film obsession: The only time the director gets slightly ticked is when Robertson arrives late for nightly screenings at their home. He marches around like a martinet waiting for Robbie to eat so they can start the movie. WATCHING THE MOVIE is not a pastime, it's life itself to Scorsese, and Robertson quickly gets the rush. He and Scorsese hang with everybody from De Niro to Kurosawa. There is one priceless anecdote after another: When Francis Coppola visits and tells Robbie to watch the simmering pasta sauce for an hour but forgets as he goes out on a coke run, I bet I won't be the only one hearing "Jump Into The Fire" and scanning the skies for helicopters. Finally, the partying gets too serious and both Robertson and especially Scorsese come dangerously close to the ledge. The book ends with Robertson's musical work on "Raging Bull," a role he would play in Scorsese's films right up to his death. "Insomnia" is an unexpectedly dishy, but not salacious, peek at the waning years of the New Hollywood era, and Robertson is a genial tour guide to the movies and the madness. The only sadness comes from knowing we will never read a third memoir about his solo albums and his work with Scorsese after "Raging Bull."
January 22, 2026
In this posthumous memoir, Robertson lays bare the madness and untamed creativity manifested while living as Martin Scorsese’s roommate for a few years in Los Angeles during the late 1970s, a period of profound personal and professional challenges for both men that soon blossomed into a fruitful partnership that endured as long as their friendship. A rockstar with a passion for film and a filmmaker whose vision blends both artforms, Robbie and Marty shared each other’s crafts and passion amid the excesses of the era, incubated in the cohabitated environment they designed for themselves, a manic masculine echo chamber to drown out the noise of their lives as their marriages fall apart. Quite literally since they blackened out the windows of the house. Having known each other since Marty directed “The Last Waltz,” the Thanksgiving farewell concert film by the Band, of which Robbie was guitarist and songwriter for, the two complemented the other in their artistic sensibilities, trusting each other for guidance as they navigated the choppy waters of an uncertain future; Robbie on his own as a musician for the first time and Marty out of his element in L.A. within a studio system that further alienated him after his latest flop. Through the journey making and promoting “The Last Waltz,” taking on music projects in lieu of his old band of brothers reuniting, and even dabbling in the world of cinema himself as a producer and actor, Robbie’s chronicling of the most difficult years of his life reinforces the ethos that got him to survive through it all, “If I could just keep an open mind, keep interested, keep curious, that path would take me where I needed to go.” And with that framing, the story Robbie tells is one of personal discovery and growth. That though his years as Marty’s roommate were full of fun times and memories that lasted until the end of his life, and that he could survive it with a rocker’s stride, not everyone else in Robbie’s life was built the same way and so there comes a time to figure everything out before it the weight gets too heavy.
December 31, 2025
A fun snapshot of a moment in time for two excellent artists, whose friendship and creative partnership led to critical pieces of some of the most iconic a movies of all tine coming together.
I a the target demo for this book. I love movies, I think Scorsese is one of (if not the) greatest directors of all time, The Last Waltz is my favorite concert film ever (don’t yell at me, Stop Making Sense is a close second), I love rock n roll, and maybe most importantly, I love stories about all of the above.
This book is doing what it set out to do. It’s a hangout. A hazy romp through the long nights and short days that Marty and Robbie spent living together in the 70s. During which they mostly enabled each other’s addictive and creative impulses. The stories are wild, but I don’t think there is a ton here that is necessarily brand new.
That said, it’s nice to have it collected in one place and see it from Robertson’s point of view. There’s another version of this book that reads way more salaciously. So credit to Robertson for maintaining his aim of giving a warm peek into the friendship of two talented creative people at a tumultuous time in their lives. You can tell Robbie loves Marty and their partnership. I started this shortly after watching the Mr. Scorsese documentary on Apple and I think this helped inform a lot and give some helpful context.
I think if I had one big criticism it would be that I was ultimately prepared for (and hoping for) a deeper look into the Scorsese and Robertson’s creative process. After all, he was still scoring Marty’s movies and serving as the music supervisor until the day he died. There a lot of meat on the bone here. And sone major moments in their careers that were still to come. That said, I think that’s more my issue than the book itself though.
Fun stuff and even if I am an audience of one for it, I really enjoyed it!
I a the target demo for this book. I love movies, I think Scorsese is one of (if not the) greatest directors of all time, The Last Waltz is my favorite concert film ever (don’t yell at me, Stop Making Sense is a close second), I love rock n roll, and maybe most importantly, I love stories about all of the above.
This book is doing what it set out to do. It’s a hangout. A hazy romp through the long nights and short days that Marty and Robbie spent living together in the 70s. During which they mostly enabled each other’s addictive and creative impulses. The stories are wild, but I don’t think there is a ton here that is necessarily brand new.
That said, it’s nice to have it collected in one place and see it from Robertson’s point of view. There’s another version of this book that reads way more salaciously. So credit to Robertson for maintaining his aim of giving a warm peek into the friendship of two talented creative people at a tumultuous time in their lives. You can tell Robbie loves Marty and their partnership. I started this shortly after watching the Mr. Scorsese documentary on Apple and I think this helped inform a lot and give some helpful context.
I think if I had one big criticism it would be that I was ultimately prepared for (and hoping for) a deeper look into the Scorsese and Robertson’s creative process. After all, he was still scoring Marty’s movies and serving as the music supervisor until the day he died. There a lot of meat on the bone here. And sone major moments in their careers that were still to come. That said, I think that’s more my issue than the book itself though.
Fun stuff and even if I am an audience of one for it, I really enjoyed it!
April 6, 2026
When I 1st started reading Insomnia, I expected to read about the finishing of The Last Waltz, post production to the theatrical release and the multiple international screenings and then what music might come next.
I got what I wanted, but there was much more. While Testimony was about The Band, I had not discovered what Insomnia was about. I didn’t find it until the last chapters of the books.
Insomnia isn’t entirely about the life of Robbie Robertson between 1976 and 1980. There is a lot name dropping, lots of alcohol and drugs and lots of sadness is this period of his life.
I opened this book wanting to read about what Robertson would next. Yes, we get to read about Carny, hope of The Band not reuniting but being able to be together. Insomnia reminds me of John Lennon’s ‘lost weekend’ away from Yoko Ono - but only set in the world of Robbie Robertson coming to grips of a world he once commanded no longer being there.
In amongst the personal stories, the friendships with Scorsese, de Niro and others sneaks into your reading consciousness of how Robertson experienced the very beginnings of the movie Raging Bull. Here was the underlying plot of Insomnia in a book of many mini stories.
Scorsese has a leading role here, and he deserves to be on the cover of Insomnia. While Robertson and crew drink and use along the way in their Insomnia, they come out of it via this instrument call Raging Bull. Robertson gives a dictation on the idea to the screening of a movie and how a movie aces the lives of Scorsese, Robertson and a few others along the way.
Robertson had a way of telling a story, now he’s gone there will be no more stories from him and we are the losers for it. Robertson led an interesting and incredible life and the stores he might had told following this creative birth of Robertson are now left to stay in the heavens.
I got what I wanted, but there was much more. While Testimony was about The Band, I had not discovered what Insomnia was about. I didn’t find it until the last chapters of the books.
Insomnia isn’t entirely about the life of Robbie Robertson between 1976 and 1980. There is a lot name dropping, lots of alcohol and drugs and lots of sadness is this period of his life.
I opened this book wanting to read about what Robertson would next. Yes, we get to read about Carny, hope of The Band not reuniting but being able to be together. Insomnia reminds me of John Lennon’s ‘lost weekend’ away from Yoko Ono - but only set in the world of Robbie Robertson coming to grips of a world he once commanded no longer being there.
In amongst the personal stories, the friendships with Scorsese, de Niro and others sneaks into your reading consciousness of how Robertson experienced the very beginnings of the movie Raging Bull. Here was the underlying plot of Insomnia in a book of many mini stories.
Scorsese has a leading role here, and he deserves to be on the cover of Insomnia. While Robertson and crew drink and use along the way in their Insomnia, they come out of it via this instrument call Raging Bull. Robertson gives a dictation on the idea to the screening of a movie and how a movie aces the lives of Scorsese, Robertson and a few others along the way.
Robertson had a way of telling a story, now he’s gone there will be no more stories from him and we are the losers for it. Robertson led an interesting and incredible life and the stores he might had told following this creative birth of Robertson are now left to stay in the heavens.
December 9, 2025
At the heart of Insomnia is the bromance Robbie Robertson had with Martin Scorsese, a meeting of minds (and bad habits) of a superb musician and an undeniably great director. One might reasonably expect that the intertwined lives of two highly creative people would make for compelling reading.
And yet … I found this memoir less interesting than I thought it would be. There were many cocaine-fueled nights bleeding into mornings. Scorsese loved watching movies. Robertson had lots of dalliances with beautiful women. There was seemingly endless travel on the international film circuit. Rinse and repeat.
There is very little introspection here. Robertson clearly harbored mixed feelings about the demise of the Band but he veers away from examining these emotions too deeply. Maybe he was uncomfortable with committing too much of his interior life to paper.
Large parts of the book detail the making of the film The Last Waltz. Now this is insightful reading as Robertson takes us into Scorsese’s creative process. These sections, along with accounts of the musician’s collaboration with the director on Raging Bull and Robert De Niro’s preparation for the role of Jake LaMotta, introduce us to some of the nuts and bolts of filmmaking. I wish there’d been more of this.
And yet … I found this memoir less interesting than I thought it would be. There were many cocaine-fueled nights bleeding into mornings. Scorsese loved watching movies. Robertson had lots of dalliances with beautiful women. There was seemingly endless travel on the international film circuit. Rinse and repeat.
There is very little introspection here. Robertson clearly harbored mixed feelings about the demise of the Band but he veers away from examining these emotions too deeply. Maybe he was uncomfortable with committing too much of his interior life to paper.
Large parts of the book detail the making of the film The Last Waltz. Now this is insightful reading as Robertson takes us into Scorsese’s creative process. These sections, along with accounts of the musician’s collaboration with the director on Raging Bull and Robert De Niro’s preparation for the role of Jake LaMotta, introduce us to some of the nuts and bolts of filmmaking. I wish there’d been more of this.
February 11, 2026
Robbie Robertson’s posthumous memoir treats just a slice of his life — but what a slice: it opens with his going, along with Martin Scorsese, to a boxing match with Jake LaMotta and Robert DeNiro in New Orleans, and concludes with the release and reception of Raging Bull a couple years later (of course starring DeNiro as LaMotta and directed by Scorsese). In between, we have Scorsese and Robertson living together as their marriages end, doing lots of drugs and, in Robertson’s case, a lot of women, especially actresses (Jennifer O’Neil, Genevieve Bujold, Carole Bouquet, Tuesday Weld). This hardly makes it sound promising, more like a seedy tell-all, but Robertson is about as far from narcissistic and self-centered as a rock star can be. He is constantly fretting about his romances and his partners’ feelings, about the separation from his wife and his three kids, above all about Marty, who is doing drugs almost as furiously as Robertson, which puts him in the hospital and brings him near death several times. This is also the time of the final editing of The Last Waltz and the twilight of the Band. The whole tale is told with such immediacy that, even with all the big names as time markers, it’s hard to believe it's all from nearly half a century ago.
March 1, 2026
Some great insights into the creative process of two brilliant geniuses. Robbie Robertson comes across as incredibly curious about art and life and I think that is a big factor of why his music was so good. Curiosity is the most common factor amongst the most talented people I know.
It’s quite impressive how much overlap of great, talented people at this time with appearances from deniro, Coppola, Bob Dylan and many more
At times it felt a bit like “and then this happened, and then this happened” and read like diary entries without hindsight. I’m not sure if this is based on diary entries at the time but it’s interesting to hear them talk about raging bull with uncertainty and Scorsese unsure on how to approach the topic. The melancholy throughout of Robertson slowly realising that The Band was breaking up for good was heartbreaking and well written
Basically at times felt like Robbie Robertson talking about partying, sleeping with super models, becoming best friends with Scorsese and making possibly the best music film ever.
I’d probably rate this closer to a 3.5 if I could do half stars. A very easy read and conversational in style. Good for anyone interested in 70s art and culture and music
It’s quite impressive how much overlap of great, talented people at this time with appearances from deniro, Coppola, Bob Dylan and many more
At times it felt a bit like “and then this happened, and then this happened” and read like diary entries without hindsight. I’m not sure if this is based on diary entries at the time but it’s interesting to hear them talk about raging bull with uncertainty and Scorsese unsure on how to approach the topic. The melancholy throughout of Robertson slowly realising that The Band was breaking up for good was heartbreaking and well written
Basically at times felt like Robbie Robertson talking about partying, sleeping with super models, becoming best friends with Scorsese and making possibly the best music film ever.
I’d probably rate this closer to a 3.5 if I could do half stars. A very easy read and conversational in style. Good for anyone interested in 70s art and culture and music
February 17, 2026
While working on the post-production of The Last Waltz, Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorsese became a richer, higher, version of the Odd Couple. Robbie moved into Marty's house right after they both became single (but not lonely) and they proceeded to get blackout curtains and soundproofing installed so they could live out their post-adolescent fantasy of watching movies and doing coke all night and falling asleep at dawn. There's a real story here, not only of how one of the best concert films of all time was made, but of Robbie's rebirth as an artist after the end of The Band, and of the excesses and dangers of 1970s Hollywood and rock star culture. Read it for that or for the fun celebrity cameos including everyone from Liza Minelli to Keith Moon, Joe Pesci to Isabella Rossellini, Jake LaMotta to Francis Ford Coppala.
February 25, 2026
I enjoyed Robbie Robertson's first book, Testimony. So I looked forward to reading the second book, Insomnia. While it is entertaining, it lacks the struggles and life events that made Robertson a great storyteller, lyricist, and singer.
Insomnia became a "whose who" in Hollywood. Granted, he met these people. But it felt two-dimensional. In my opinion, the only relationships that felt meaningful were his friendship with Martin Scorsese, his love for his children, and his respect for his mother. His relationship with his wife, Dominique, comes across as complex if not complicated.
There is an important event in Robertson's life that was not covered in this book. I do not want to issue a spoiler, but those who have followed his life will notice it.
The epilogue by Robertson's wife, Dominique, is a good touch.
Insomnia became a "whose who" in Hollywood. Granted, he met these people. But it felt two-dimensional. In my opinion, the only relationships that felt meaningful were his friendship with Martin Scorsese, his love for his children, and his respect for his mother. His relationship with his wife, Dominique, comes across as complex if not complicated.
There is an important event in Robertson's life that was not covered in this book. I do not want to issue a spoiler, but those who have followed his life will notice it.
The epilogue by Robertson's wife, Dominique, is a good touch.
April 5, 2026
"Insomnia" is a fascinating look at Robbie Robertson's life as his marriage collapses and he and Martin Scorsese work to finish their masterpiece "The Last Waltz". Robertson leaves his family and after a period of living in his recording studio he moves in with Scorsese.
The book is in many ways like a movie with cameos of Robert de Niro, Harvey Keitel, Jake LaMotta, Isabella Rossellini and others. As a result, the book provides an inside look at celebrity lifestyle from California to New York to Paris and beyond.
But the book also provides a frank look at their drug use and the ultimate harm it caused them, particularly Scorsese.
This is an interesting and frank look at this period of Robertson's life and provides insight into the remarkable artistic work that he and Scorsese would go on to do in many movies.
The book is in many ways like a movie with cameos of Robert de Niro, Harvey Keitel, Jake LaMotta, Isabella Rossellini and others. As a result, the book provides an inside look at celebrity lifestyle from California to New York to Paris and beyond.
But the book also provides a frank look at their drug use and the ultimate harm it caused them, particularly Scorsese.
This is an interesting and frank look at this period of Robertson's life and provides insight into the remarkable artistic work that he and Scorsese would go on to do in many movies.
February 4, 2026
This is a great quick read. It’s not a biography on Robbie or the band despite touching on some things, but rather stories from a very specific time period between him and Marty Scorsese.
Robbie Robertson is a soft, sensitive artist and if you’ve seen the last waltz, you know that. He’s a tremendous writer who shares pretty wild stories between him and his friend Marty who just happens to be one of the greatest directors of all time. You can see how much they really care for eachother very easily and it’s admirable.
I look forward to reading his other book where he goes deeper into his own journey, life and music. If you’re a fan of the band, or hell even just Scorsese, I’d say this is worth a 270 page investment.
Robbie Robertson is a soft, sensitive artist and if you’ve seen the last waltz, you know that. He’s a tremendous writer who shares pretty wild stories between him and his friend Marty who just happens to be one of the greatest directors of all time. You can see how much they really care for eachother very easily and it’s admirable.
I look forward to reading his other book where he goes deeper into his own journey, life and music. If you’re a fan of the band, or hell even just Scorsese, I’d say this is worth a 270 page investment.
March 17, 2026
An interesting read for fans of Robbie Roberston and Martin Scorsese. There is quite the cast of characters but the relationship between 'Rob' and 'Marty' is central to this book and quite detailed. For example, their daily routine and the descriptions the sound systems and screening room they set up in the garage...classic! Their friendship included sharing their respective lives as they rubbed elbows with many famous people in both the music and movie industries. Many times it seems the author is self-promoting with tales that are not particularly significant or flattering. However, it is a quick read and there are some really great stories of the times; i.e., the latter half of the 1970's.
February 3, 2026
One trope Ive noticed in Biographies of Rock Stars that started out in the 1960s is the "I was quite the asshole during my drinking and drugs era" Life Story. I lvoe Robbie, and I love the fact he is somewhat clueless that at time he acted like an ass. It's almost endearing.
But just the fact he and Akira Kurosawa, two of my biggest artistic (I hate to use the word Heroes) sat next to each other at a luncheon. And that Robbie oh so cluelessly offered him numbers of girls in LA if he could provide some numbers of Girls in Japan for an Upcoming Trip.
I love the guy, even if sometimes he just doesnt quite get it.
But just the fact he and Akira Kurosawa, two of my biggest artistic (I hate to use the word Heroes) sat next to each other at a luncheon. And that Robbie oh so cluelessly offered him numbers of girls in LA if he could provide some numbers of Girls in Japan for an Upcoming Trip.
I love the guy, even if sometimes he just doesnt quite get it.
February 25, 2026
i’m so intrigued by creative relationships and GODDDD this one tore my heart up like oh it’s so beautiful how they came from two completely different worlds but managed to accept one another and make such gorgeous art. the way they learned each other fully is something of dreams that i only hope i can discover creatively one day. i love robbie so much and knowing he wrote this before he created some of the most beautiful music and scoring adds even more to how exciting all his self discovery feels. also whoever read this audiobook needs to get into impressions i love his little marty voice awww
March 25, 2026
This might’ve been better titled My Time with Marty and Bob, subtitled at least. Scorscese and DeNiro. The making of the Last Waltz would fit too.
I can’t help but think about the strong negative feelings Levon Helm writes about in his autobiography regarding Robbie Robertson. Either RR tries to gloss over the way Helm felt about him of he was oblivious to it. Their accounts of each other’s roles in their lives are incongruous, at best.
I think RR was an extremely talented musician and artist of many stripes. He was apparently a chick magnet who inspired infidelity and sexual encounters with most of the women he had an interest in.
I can’t help but think about the strong negative feelings Levon Helm writes about in his autobiography regarding Robbie Robertson. Either RR tries to gloss over the way Helm felt about him of he was oblivious to it. Their accounts of each other’s roles in their lives are incongruous, at best.
I think RR was an extremely talented musician and artist of many stripes. He was apparently a chick magnet who inspired infidelity and sexual encounters with most of the women he had an interest in.
February 4, 2026
“I Love Martin Scorsese” written by Robbie Robertson
Lots of name dropping for name dropping’s sake combined with much redundancy describing his rock and roll lifestyle battling depression and addiction. I love the Band, Scorsese, and De Niro, but was hoping for a slightly more honest, reflective testimony from someone whose work I greatly admire. Regardless, I was seeking interesting anecdotes about Bob Dylan, The Band, Scorsese, “The Last Waltz,” “Raging Bull”, etc., and it definitely delivered on that front.
Lots of name dropping for name dropping’s sake combined with much redundancy describing his rock and roll lifestyle battling depression and addiction. I love the Band, Scorsese, and De Niro, but was hoping for a slightly more honest, reflective testimony from someone whose work I greatly admire. Regardless, I was seeking interesting anecdotes about Bob Dylan, The Band, Scorsese, “The Last Waltz,” “Raging Bull”, etc., and it definitely delivered on that front.
February 21, 2026
Insomnia picks up right where Robbie Robertson’s first memoir, Testimony, left off with the Band’s final concert, “The Last Waltz.” As Insomnia begins, the reader learns about the process of taking concert footage and creating a first-of-its-kind concert film. Whereas Testimony was about the musical side of his life, Insomnia covers the Hollywood years, including the two years he spent living and hanging out with Martin Scorsese, while Robertson was separated from his wife and Scorsese was recently divorced. I would suggest reading Testimony before Insomnia to get the background on the other members of the Band. Robertson does a good job of not repeating stories from the first book but it does happen a couple times.
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