Sebastian Robertson offers a personal reflection on creating music for the History Channel’s ‘Sitting Bull,’ in what became a final collaboration with his late father Robbie Robertson of the Band. They recently earned a Clio Award for the main theme from the two-part docuseries:
I guess it all started when I was around six years old. My sisters and I would spend a lot of weekends with our grandma Rosemarie “Dolly” Chrysler. Born and raised on the Six Nations Indian Reserve, she would tell us stories of her childhood. She always referred to the reservation as “the farm” and painted idyllic images with her words. Maybe that’s where my dad got it from?
With a keen eye and admiration for my father, I quietly followed in his footsteps – first by engulfing myself in music that caught my ear: Devo, Peter Gabriel, Run-DMC and of course, the Band.
After decades of honing my craft as a drummer turned guitarist, I found my calling in creating music for film and television. In 1994, I had my first collaboration with my dad as drummer and percussionist on his album Music for the Native Americans. Around this same time, he enlisted me to do some score for the Barry Levinson film Jimmy Hollywood. These were eye-opening experiences that kickstarted my love of being in the studio and making music for moving pictures.
Cut to Sitting Bull. Jennifer Insogna, head of music for A&E, got in touch and asked about a father-son collaboration on the theme song for the docuseries. We were thrilled by the prospect and dove right in. This was a complicated time in our lives as my dad’s health was declining. However, like for a lot of us, the art of music was an escape. I created the skeleton of the theme to present to my dad.
Trust me when I tell you he was a tough critic. The inspiration of this project, my heritage and honoring both my culture and my father kicked me into the highest gear. He was thrilled with the demo. We batted around ideas, guitar licks and vocals until we were satisfied and sent it along to production. We nailed it.
The journey was from over. As production on the show catapulted forward, my life took a turn and the art was no longer an escape for me, or my father. His health declined rapidly and the focus was on spending time, caring for him and giving back to him what he so freely gave me as a boy. He passed in August of 2023.
The Sitting Bull production team was delicate and mindful and when the time was right, I engaged in the final process of putting the music to picture. An otherworldly collaboration began. Still by my side and breathing wisdom and artistry into my final choices, my dad and I created what will always be one of my proudest and most memorable compositions.
Harnessing the words of his mother, our people and the rhythm of our lives in all existences we created our final piece of music together … or maybe, just maybe there’s more to come. I love you, Rob. And I have the deepest of gratitude for the Sitting Bull team for making this happen.
- Sebastian Robertson: My Proudest and Most Memorable Collaboration With Dad - February 23, 2026
