The Band | Artist
The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group formed 1964 in Toronto Canada by Garth Hudson (organ, piano, saxophone, accordion, horn), Rick Danko (vocals, bass, violin, guitar), Levon Helm (vocals, drums, mandolin, guitar), Richard Manuel (vocals, piano, drums) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals). The members originally came together as the backing band 'The Hawks' for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. They then became Bob Dylan's long time backing band, and a successful recording and performing act in their own right. With Hawkins, they recorded a few singles in this period and became well known as the best rock group on the thriving Toronto music scene. For a short period, after splitting with Hawkins, the group renamed themselves Levon and the Hawks, and recorded several session under that name. In the meantime, In late summer 1965, Bob Dylan was looking for a backup band for his first U.S. "electric" tour. Levon and the Hawks were recommended by blues singer John Hammond Jr. After hearing the band play and meeting with Robertson, Dylan invited Levon and the Hawks to become his backing band. With Dylan, the Hawks played a series of concerts from September 1965 through May 1966, billed as Bob Dylan and the Band. Most of the concerts were met with heckling and disapproval from folk music purists. In terms of studio recordings with Dylan, Robbie Robertson played on most of the Blonde on Blonde album, and the entire band appeared on just one track "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)". In July 1966 Dylan was injured in a motorcycle crash and went into semi-seclusion in Woodstock, New York.It was here at the famed 'Big Pink' house in West Saugerties that Dylan and the Band recorded what was to become the superb Basement Tapes sessions and then without Dylan the Band's classic debut album Music From Big Pink. That album immediately drew critical acclaim and secured the Band a spot on the bill at the Woodstock Festival plus the inclusion of their song "The Weight" on the Easy Rider film soundtrack. The Band carried on until 1999, becoming one of the most admired and best loved American roots-rock artists of all time. Outstanding Band albums include Music From Big Pink (1968), The Band (1969), Stagefright (1970), Northern Lights - Southern Cross (1975), and the live albums Rock of Ages (1972) and The Last Waltz (1978). The Band also re-convened with Dylan on his excellent 1974 album Planet Waves. As soloist, each member of the Band has issued solo albums, most notably Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm.
Artist Website: theband.hiof.no
Featured Albums: The Band
Related Artists: Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm
