The Band: A History

Today, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Breanna McCann and Teagan Lisson to dive deep into The Last Waltz at 45. This legendary film resonates with audiences, even after four and a half decades. As we gather to celebrate its forty-fifth birthday, we have a relaxed yet engaging conversation that encompasses various facets of this cinematic masterpiece. We delve into the intricacies of the f...

Our inaugural episode delves into "Orange Juice Blues," a soul-stirring composition by Richard Manuel, crafted in 1967. This evocative song has a story over several decades, and in this episode, we shall examine its evolution and the profound resonance it holds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this unique episode, I intertwine history with engaging conversation. The Band made their inaugural appearance at Massey Hall in 1970, a highly anticipated hometown performance that critics hailed as nothing short of a "religious experience." Massey Hall holds a revered place in Toronto's cultural heritage, akin to the Ryman Auditorium, situated north of the border, and it has hosted some of th...

Amidst the initial turbulence of his inaugural solo release and subsequent tour, Levon Helm and his ensemble found themselves grappling with an unfortunate dearth of problems. Plagued by undisclosed health adversities and the intricate orchestration of conflicting timetables, Helm sought solace within the confines of the studio, setting in motion the creation of yet another album. Mirroring the ap...

I try and put a few words together to honour Robbie Robertson, a legendary guitarist and songwriter. In lieu of gifts, Robbie's family has asked for donations to the Woodland Cultural Centre here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the triumphant launch of "The Last Waltz," Robbie Robertson redirected his ambitions toward carving a prominent niche in Hollywood. With a fervent desire to attain recognition as a distinguished producer and a rising star in the film industry, he set his sights on a captivating script known as "Carny." This enthralling tale delved into the dark and enigmatic world of travelling carnivals...

2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Band's fifth studio album Moondog Matinee. A cover album with a mixed critical and audience appraisal, now fifty years later, The Band: A History is joined in a roundtable discussion by Michael Koehler and Annie Burkhart to dig into the album's merit. If you're interested in following today's guests, you can follow Annie here and Micahel here. Learn more...

The Band had moved bases in 1974 from the East Coast and the cozy colony of Woodstock to the West Coast colony shores of Malibu. Richard Manuel, struggling already with balancing the demands of his band, his family life was falling deeper into manic depression, which led to excessive alcohol and drug consumption. With his family fractured and his habits excessive, the reeling Manuel continued to t...

He is genuinely the most original, brilliant and moving keyboard players that has ever operated within rock ’n’ roll.” Author Barney Hoskyns noted in 1993 in his book Across The Great Divide. Following The Last Waltz, Garth Hudson didn’t have much issue continuing to do what he loved doing – playing music. The industry and musicians were intrigued by Hudson, the quiet figure hunched behind a mount...

“Sitting around my house in Malibu and walking around the beach. I’ve been doing that for a long time, and frankly, I’m tired of it.”  Rick Danko’s quote in 1978 could accurately reflect the temperate of a few members of The Band as the end of the decade neared. A purgatory of sorts had settled over The Band. Following The Last Waltz in 1976, The Band lay dormant. Was it over? Well, not officially...

The Band: A History sits down with writer, columnist and author Jude Warne to discuss her recent essay on The Band's 1970 studio album Stage Fright, which is part of a larger scholarly study of The Band entitled Rags and Bones: An Exploration of The Band published by the University Press of Mississippi. You can find Rags and Bones: An Exploration of The Band here and visit Jude's website here. Lea...

“I was looking for a simpler, fresher routing... I really like this new group. I can go out and perform the record now.” Rick Danko was now out on his own. Nearly two decades with The Band left him wanting more. More music, more touring and more control. He told Harvey Kubernick in 1978, “I’m the focal point on stage this time, and it doesn’t bother me. I put this new group together, I telephoned...

With the break-up of his band and his family, Levon Helm did what he knew best, make music. While The Band was all but extinct, Helm continued to tell journalists they’d keep making music. However, he started putting together a new band, and he moved back east to set up permanently. As he recalled, “I decided to remain in Woodstock. I loved the town and the people and the way of life too much to s...

The Band: A History sits down with Chest Fever, the official revival of The Band.  If you remember my interview a few months ago with Mrs. Henry, a great band from California. In that case, they are back with a new project, Chest Fever, a band that has been given the stamp of approval to carry on the musical legacy of The Band. They are taking their show on the road for the fiftieth anniversary of...

The Band: A History sits down with legendary recording engineer, mixer and record producer Bob Clearmountain, whose innovative approach has led him to work with industry-heavy-hitters like Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones. Having mixed Robbie Robertson’s first solo album in 1987 and sharing a working relationship since it made sense to bring him aboard when tackling the 50th...

Assembling in the studio at various points during 1976 through 1977, The Band put together a plan for Islands. It was described later by Robbie as being similar to The Who’s Odds & Sods album. In essence, it was a hodgepodge of older recordings along with some newer cuts to complete their eight album record deal with Capitol. Regardless of all of the exterior distractions, The Band were still prof...

Full-on post-production of The Last Waltz took place over an eighteen-month period from the winter of 1977 through the spring of 1978. It was a monstrous undertaking with many moving pieces between the studio, producers, technicians, crews and the musicians. Ultimately, the release of the film and soundtrack in April 1978 led Martin Scorsese and Robbie Robertson across the globe to promote their f...

At first, the viewer sees nothing but a blank screen and hears only the voices of Rick Danko, Martin Scorsese and another member of the film crew as they run through a first take, Danko manages to only utter one word "cutthroat" The Last Waltz dragged on. With the concert wrapped and filming complete at the MGM soundstage, Martin Scorsese wanted to now add a series of interviews to further context...

The Band: A History sits down with former guitarist of The Band Jim Weider. Jim joined The Band in 1985 and remained their lead guitarist until the group dissolved in 2000 after Rick Danko's death. Known as one of the premiere Fender Telecaster players in the world, outside of The Band, Weider has played with Robbie Dupree, Dr. John, Graham Parker, Keith Richards, Scotty Moore and Bob Weir. Weider...

The Band: A History sits down with Mrs. Henry, the California-based rock group who is heading out on the road with their show Music From The Band. Mrs. Henry first tackled The Band with their extensive rendition of The Last Waltz that later was pressed on vinyl. Since then, the group has continued to craft their own music and tour. Now, there are back with their Music From The Band Tour, featuring...

“It hadn’t really hit me that when the song was over, so was The Band.” Levon Helm later remembered as The Band stumbled from the Winterland stage at 3:00 AM following one of the biggest shows of their lives. However, it wasn't over. After combining through footage it was determined they needed to film additional content. Thus, The Last Waltz Suite was born. A combination of live recordings on the...

The Band: A History is pleased to welcome The Manuel Archive's Breanna McCann and music journalist Allison Rapp to discuss the 50th anniversary reissue of The Band's fourth studio album "Cahoots". We talk about Bob Clearmountain's updated mix, the positive and negative changes, the tracklisting and bonus features. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the show underway and a plethora of performances next up included Neil Young, who had the unfortunate experience of sporting a massive cocaine booger in his nostril as he floated through his set of numbers before more performances took place including Joni Mitchell, a controversial Neil Diamond, the electrifying performance of Van Morrison, who almost got to scared to go on stage, a collectio...

Backstage The Band were a mix of emotions. Robertson recalls an “anxious but ready” Scorsese, and that each member of the Band was calm and collected. At around nine the The Berkeley Promenade Orchestra left stage and the house lights slowly dimmed. A large curtain of shimmering confetti lit from all sides was let down in front of the stage, chandeliers were then lowered to a position above the st...

Originally released on The Band: A History's Patreon. We sit down and talk with Breanna McCann, the curator and archivist behind the new project The Manuel Archive.  We discuss her love of The Band, and how it started with their song "Acadian Driftwood", her passion for sixties and seventies culture, film and music and what her motivation was for starting The Manuel Archive. Breanna also talks abo...