.... mind you, it did confirm what I'd heard over the years about Robbie Robertson's destruction of the band which upsets me and I believe it ultimately lead to Richard Manual's suicide and the financial state that Garth's in now.

[Edited on 9/29/2019 by canuckABBfan]

I’m reluctantly responding to this as a huge fan of The Band in general and of Levon in particular. You may want to research this matter more before reaching these damaging conclusions. Of course,you can read Robbie’s book and hear his side. Or you can speak to people around the guys through the years-managers,friends,neighbors in Woodstock,engineers,fellow musicians,relatives and even Band members. You never heard Rick or Garth make such accusations and their relationships with Robbie were and are always maintained. Garth would cringe if these things were said in his presence. He loved Levon but he knew the truth. Levons survivors don’t disparage Robbie and in fact,maintained relationships with Robbie. Larry Campbell referred to Levons perspective on Robbie and The Band as his “blind spot”.
There’s lots more to say about this that demonstrates that Levon was simply wrong. And it’s sad that Levon,who was a magnificent human being and musician wrote and said things that led to the ridiculous and untrue conclusions you repeat here. In the interest of The Band I prefer to stick to the music rather than repeating stuff that tarnishes all of them. Levon was a great person and I truly loved him particularly given all our years knowing him in Woodstock. These allegations were not his finest moment and there’s no gain in repeating and promulgating this darkness.
Enjoy the music!
You may want to purchase The Band:A Musical History-an anthology that contains pretty much everything you’ll need by the guys. Everything about the music,the packaging,etc. are worth having.

[Edited on 9/29/2019 by dadof2]

......Enjoy the music! You may want to purchase The Band:A Musical History-an anthology that contains pretty much everything you’ll need by the guys. Everything about the music,the packaging,etc. are worth having.

I was about to post about this fantastic boxset when i read this response. Strongly recommended indeed!

the vinyl Anthology that came out in 1978, is also a real nice package that became my go-to for them $ still is
Love The Band - sad to read about Garth’s financial situation tho

.... mind you, it did confirm what I'd heard over the years about Robbie Robertson's destruction of the band which upsets me and I believe it ultimately lead to Richard Manual's suicide and the financial state that Garth's in now.

[Edited on 9/29/2019 by canuckABBfan]

I’m reluctantly responding to this as a huge fan of The Band in general and of Levon in particular. You may want to research this matter more before reaching these damaging conclusions. Of course,you can read Robbie’s book and hear his side. Or you can speak to people around the guys through the years-managers,friends,neighbors in Woodstock,engineers,fellow musicians,relatives and even Band members. You never heard Rick or Garth make such accusations and their relationships with Robbie were and are always maintained. Garth would cringe if these things were said in his presence. He loved Levon but he knew the truth. Levons survivors don’t disparage Robbie and in fact,maintained relationships with Robbie. Larry Campbell referred to Levons perspective on Robbie and The Band as his “blind spot”.
There’s lots more to say about this that demonstrates that Levon was simply wrong. And it’s sad that Levon,who was a magnificent human being and musician wrote and said things that led to the ridiculous and untrue conclusions you repeat here. In the interest of The Band I prefer to stick to the music rather than repeating stuff that tarnishes all of them. Levon was a great person and I truly loved him particularly given all our years knowing him in Woodstock. These allegations were not his finest moment and there’s no gain in repeating and promulgating this darkness.
Enjoy the music!
You may want to purchase The Band:A Musical History-an anthology that contains pretty much everything you’ll need by the guys. Everything about the music,the packaging,etc. are worth having.

[Edited on 9/29/2019 by dadof2]

could not agree more. i understand levon was upset with robertson but i lot of his book is not 100% the truth though i doubt robbie's is either

I love the Band! With the exception of possibly Cream, The Band is THE supergroup! They were all great musicians and together shined like few others. I don't know about their issues (I've read all the books, Levon's, Robbie's, etc.) but we'll never know the truth, so I don't speculate. I think Rock of Ages is incredible and still listen to it. I don't have the box set yet, but it's on my list along with the full shows that they culled RoA from.

I love the Band! With the exception of possibly Cream, The Band is THE supergroup! They were all great musicians and together shined like few others. I don't know about their issues (I've read all the books, Levon's, Robbie's, etc.) but we'll never know the truth, so I don't speculate. I think Rock of Ages is incredible and still listen to it. I don't have the box set yet, but it's on my list along with the full shows that they culled RoA from.

I LOOOOOOOOVE Rock of Ages. I get why Last Waltz is so famous. But Rock of Ages is so good.

That band was close to perfect. A real joy to listen to.

I love the Band! With the exception of possibly Cream, The Band is THE supergroup! They were all great musicians and together shined like few others. I don't know about their issues (I've read all the books, Levon's, Robbie's, etc.) but we'll never know the truth, so I don't speculate. I think Rock of Ages is incredible and still listen to it. I don't have the box set yet, but it's on my list along with the full shows that they culled RoA from.

how is the band a supergroup?

how is the band a supergroup?

Fair question. Because every member is an exceptional musician and performer. They were the best in other bands before they came together. Most of them played multiple instruments and sang well. There isn't a loose link in the chain. But that's just my opinion.

X2 - their rurality, their genuineness, as you said the fact they all sang & played multiple instruments....
If stuck on an island & the 1st 2 records & ROA were all I had......bliss

how is the band a supergroup?

Fair question. Because every member is an exceptional musician and performer. They were the best in other bands before they came together. Most of them played multiple instruments and sang well. There isn't a loose link in the chain. But that's just my opinion.

I agree with everything you said but they aren't a super group. most of the guys were in high school bands only before coming together with Ronnie Hawkins. a supergroup almost always refers to musicians who were already pretty famous before the formed a group. I don't think 17 year old Robbie Robertson and 18 year olds danko and manuel were very famous outside of high school circles when they joined the hawks

Double posting fixed

[Edited on 10/6/2019 by WaitinForRain]

They were a super group! Pardon play on words

This is a much more balanced take on Levon and
songwriting.

https://americansongwriter.com/2012/09/levon-helm-and-songwriting-larry-campbell-and-robbie-robertson-weigh-in/

When Chank Middleton talks to Gregg about being in jail, he doesn't get a credit for writing
Win, Lose or Draw. He wasn't writing the song.

Should Levon have gotten more credit given his input
into the process with Robbie over many years? Probably
Was he too busy partying to take care of business? Yup

Saw him twice, he was just a great great player. Wish he was still
with us.

Typos fixed

[Edited on 10/6/2019 by WaitinForRain]

You may want to purchase The Band:A Musical History-an anthology that contains pretty much everything you’ll need by the guys. Everything about the music,the packaging,etc. are worth having.

[Edited on 9/29/2019 by dadof2]

Thank you, I'll certainly pick this up and dig deeper into their amazing music and history!

Their first box set was the now-out-of-print 3 CD Across The Great Divide, from 1994 - 2 CDs of their published stuff, & a 3rd of various unreleased/outtakes/odds & sods that I thought was its high point

[Edited on 10/6/2019 by Stephen]

Their first box set was the now-out-of-print 3 CD Across The Great Divide, from 1994 - 2 CDs of their published stuff, & a 3rd of various unreleased/outtakes/odds & sods that I thought was its high point

[Edited on 10/6/2019 by Stephen]

pretty much everything on that boxset is on the much better musical history release