If Robbie Robertson was the voice and Levon Helm the soul, then Hudson was the secret weapon — the bearded professor tucked behind a wall of organs, accordions, and whatever weird instrument he’d dragged into the studio that week. His playing on The Weight, Chest Fever, and Up On Cripple Creek wasn’t just background — it was the backbone, the swirling glue that turned Dylan’s sidemen into one of the most important rock outfits of all time. 🤘
Hudson was always a bit of a mystery figure — quiet, eccentric, and a total genius on the keys. While the others brawled, boozed, and burned out, he was the one still tinkering with sounds and keeping the whole circus moving. Without him, we wouldn’t have that timeless, swampy, church-like sound that made The Band feel like they’d been around since the Civil War.
From playing the legendary Last Waltz with Dylan, Clapton, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, to influencing generations of keyboardists, Hudson leaves behind a catalogue that’ll never fade. His Hammond organ roars are stitched into rock history forever. 🎶
Another giant gone — but what a legacy. Diolch, Garth, for showing us just how heavy keys can be. 🖤
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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