A great, great talk by Robbie Robertson on all things The Band.


 

This is a 26:40 recording of Robbie Robertson talking (no video, no interviewer questions, just Robbie’s voice) about all aspects of The Band, his traveling from Canada to Arkansas at age 16 to join Levon Helm in The Hawks, his songwriting, the extreme talent of Rick Danko and Levon Helm, The Last Waltz, and many other musical matters. And his love of movies (The Band included "Third Man Theme" on their Moondog Matinee album). He puts into words better than I have ever before read or heard what made The Band the model of musical quality they were, and so respected by all the best musicians, singers, and songwriters in Rock ’n’ Roll. In Jazz too.

Even if you are sick of hearing about The Band, I do believe you will be very glad you’ve listened to this.

 

https://youtu.be/IF690sDgb6M?si=rbr7DFR7Mh7YP5OH

 

bdp24

Showing 2 responses by onhwy61

Imagine The Band without Robbie Robertson?  How about Little Feat without Lowell George or The Beach Boys without Brian Wilson?  They were all interesting bands that produced high quality music without their former chief songwriter, but they are essentially footnotes in the history of rock music.

Bands should be treated as "black boxes" with no insight to their inner workings, otherwise it distracts from the music.  Within wide limits I just don't care what type of person the musician is or whether they get along with each other.  As long as they make great music I'm okay.

Still, every now and then something comes out that surprises me.

George slept with Ringo's wife

Sam & Dave deeply despised each other

Joni Mithcell in blackface

Nobodies perfect!