Band
The Band

The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard instruments, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, baritone saxophone, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals). All five members were notable musicians in their own right. The members of the Band first ca ... me together as they joined rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins's backing group, The Hawks, one by one between 1958 and 1963. Upon leaving Hawkins in 1964, they were briefly known as the Levon Helm Sextet with sax player Jerry Penfound being the sixth member, then Levon and the Hawks after Penfound's departure. In 1965, they released a single on Ware Records under the name Canadian Squires, but returned as Levon and the Hawks for a recording session for Atco later in 1965. At about the same time, Bob Dylan recruited Helm and Robertson for two concerts, then the entire group for his U.S. tour in 1965 and world tour in 1966. Dylan continued to collaborate with The Band over the course of their career, including the informal 1967 recordings that became The Basement Tapes and a joint 1974 tour. Because they were always "the band" to various frontmen, Helm said the name "The Band" worked well when the group came into its own and left Saugerties, New York, to begin recording their own material. But Alan Livingston, who, as president of EMI records signed them in 1968, claims that he came up with their name when no one could think of what to call them. They recorded two of the most acclaimed albums of the late 1960s: their 1968 debut Music from Big Pink (featuring the single "The Weight") and 1969's The Band. In 2004, "The Weight" was ranked the 41st best song of all time in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. The Band broke up in 1976, officially ending their touring career with an elaborate live ballroom performance featuring numerous musical celebrities. This performance was immortalized in Martin Scorsese's 1978 documentary The Last Waltz. The Band reformed in 1983 without guitarist Robbie Robertson, who had found success with a solo career and as a Hollywood music producer. The reformed Band were recorded live in concert at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre that year, assisted by four extra musicians; It has been released as The Band Reunion and The Band is Back. Following a 1986 show, Richard Manuel was found dead of suicide. However, The Band continued to tour and record albums until the death of Rick Danko in 1999, when the group broke up for good. Levon Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998, and after a series of treatments was able to regain use of his voice. He continued to perform and released several successful albums until he succumbed to the disease 19 April 2012. The group was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked them #50 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and in 2008, they received the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award. See more [+]

The Weight |||||

I pulled in to Nazareth, I was feeling about half past dead....

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down |||||

Virgil Caine is the name, and I served on the Danville train...

Atlantic City |||||

Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night and ...

Up On Cripple Creek |||||

When I get off of this mountain, you know where I want to go...

Ophelia |||||

Boards on the window, mail by the door, what wd anybody leav...

Long Black Veil |||||

Ten years ago on a cool dark night There was someone killed ...

The Weight |||||

I pulled into Nazareth, just feelin' about half past dead; I...

Up On Cripple Creek |||||

When I get off of this mountain, you know where I want to go...

Tears of Rage |||||

We carried you in our arms on Independence Day And now you'...

The Weight |||||

I pulled in to Nazareth, I was feeling about half past dead....

It Makes No Difference |||||

It makes no diff'rence where I turn I can't get over you an...

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down |||||

Virgil Caine is the name, and I served on the Danville train...

Weight |||||

Verse I pulled into nazareth was feelin' bout half past dead...

Rag Mama Rag |||||

Rag Mama Rag, I can't believe its true. Rag Mama Rag, what ...

Rockin Chair |||||

I can hear something calling on me And you know where I wann...

Sing at Night |||||

when the night comes don't be shy and just hide no! no! no! ...

Southern Cross |||||

High and lonesome out on Times Square Haven't got a dime, a...

Stage Fright |||||

Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid Who suffered so much ...

Stones I Throw |||||

When obstruction blocks my way I walk down that narrow way t...

Street Walker |||||

Sightseer in the middle of the night I'm looking for action,...

The Rumor |||||

Now when the rumor comes to your town It grows and grows, wh...

The Shape I'm In |||||

Come downtown, have to rumble in the alley Oh, you don't kno...

The Unfaithful Servant |||||

Unfaithful Servant, I hear you leavin' soon in the mornin' ...

This Wheels On Fire |||||

If your memory serves you well We were goin' to meet again a...

Twilight |||||

Don't send me no distant salutations or silly souvenirs from...

Where do We Go From Here? |||||

Did you hear about the eagle of distinction The one that cam...

Whispering Pines |||||

If you find me in a gloom, or catch me in a dream Inside my ...

All La Glory |||||

I wanna hear pitter patter Climb up your ladder now It's ti...

Caldonia |||||

Walkin with my baby she's got great big feet Shes long, lean...

Chest Fever |||||

I know she's a tracker, any style that would back her They s...

Down South In New Orleans |||||

The prettiest girls I've ever seen. Sparkling eyes, lips so ...

In A Station |||||

Once I walked through the halls of a station Someone called...

Key To The Highway |||||

Key to the highway Packed up and bound to go I'm gonna leave...

Acadian Driftwood |||||

The war was over and the spirit was broken The hills were s...

Across The Great Divide |||||

Standing by your window in pain, a pistol in your hand and i...

Christmas Must Be Tonight |||||

Come down to the manger, see the little stranger Wrapped in ...

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