Biography:

When the Band emerged in 1968 with Music From Big Pink, they were already a seasoned and cohesive unit. Four of the group, Robbie Robertson (b. Jaime Robbie Robertson, 5 July 1943, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; guitar, vocals), Richard Manuel (b. 3 April 1943, Stratford, Canada, d. 4 March 1986; piano, drums, vocals), Garth Hudson (b. Eric Hudson, 2 August 1937, London, Ontario, Canada; organ) and Rick Danko (b. 9 December 1943, Simcoe, Canada; bass, vocals), had embraced rock 'n' roll during its first flush of success. One by one they joined the Hawks, a backing group formed by rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins that included Levon Helm (b. Mark Levon Helm, 26 May 1942, Marvell, Arkansas, USA; drums, vocals). A minor figure in the USA, by the late 50s Hawkins had moved to Toronto, where he pursued a career consisting mostly of rabble-house cover versions. 'Bo Diddley' (1963) was a major hit in Canada, but the musicians later flexed their independence during sessions for the Mojo Man on 'She's 19' and 'Farther Up The Road', with Helm taking the vocal. The quintet left Hawkins later that year and toured America's small-town bars, performing for 'pimps, whores, rounders and flake outs', as Hudson later recalled. Billed as the Canadian Squires or Levon And The Hawks, they developed a loud, brash repertoire, drawn from R&B, soul and gospel styles, while the rural life left a trail of impressions and images. The group completed 'Leave Me Alone', under the former appellation, before settling in New York where 'Go Go Liza Jane' and 'The Stones I Throw' were recorded as Levon And The Hawks. The quintet enjoyed the approbation of the city's famed Red Bird label. Robertson, Helm and Hudson supported blues singer John Hammond Jnr. on his debut single, 'I Wish You Would' (1964), while Levon's spacey composition, 'You Cheated, You Lied', was recorded by the Shangri-Las . The trio maintained their link with Hammond on the latter's fiery So Many Roads (1965), through which they were introduced to Bob Dylan . In August 1965 Robertson and Helm accompanied the singer for his Forest Hills concert and although the drummer reneged on further involvement, within months the remaining Hawks were at the fulcrum of Dylan's most impassioned music. They supported him on his 'electric' 1966 world tour and followed him to his Woodstock retreat where, reunited with Helm, they recorded the famous Basement Tapes, whose lyrical, pastoral performances anticipated the style the quintet later adopted. Music From Big Pink restated traditional American music in an environment of acid-rock and psychedelia. Natural in the face of technocratic artifice, its woven, wailing harmonies suggested the fervors of sanctified soul, while the instrumental pulse drew inspiration from carnivals, country and R&B. The Band's deceptive simplicity was their very strength, binding lyrics of historical and biblical metaphor to sinuous, memorable melodies. The set included three Dylan songs, but is best recalled for 'The Weight', which, if lyrically obtuse, was the subject of several cover versions, notably from Jackie DeShannon , Aretha Franklin , Diana Ross (with the Supremes and the Temptations ) and Spooky Tooth . The Band confirmed the quintet's unique qualities. Robertson had emerged as their principle songwriter, yet the panoramic view remained intact, and by invoking Americana past and present, the group reflected the pastoral desires of a restless generation. It contained several telling compositions - 'Across The Great Divide', 'The Unfaithful Servant' and 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' - as well as 'Rag Mama Rag', an ebullient UK Top 20 hit. The Band then resumed touring, the perils of which were chronicled on Stage Fright. By openly embracing contemporary concerns, the quintet lacked their erstwhile perspective, but in 'The Rumor' they created one of the era's most telling portraits. However, the group's once seamless sound had grown increasingly formal, a dilemma that increased on Cahoots . Melodramatic rather than emotional, the set offered few highlights, although Van Morrison 's cameo on '4% Pantomime' suggested a bonhomie distinctly absent elsewhere. It was followed by a warm in-concert set, Rock Of Ages , arranged by Allan Toussaint, and Moondog Matinee, a wonderful selection of favorite cover versions. It served as a spotlight for Richard Manuel, whose emotional, haunting voice wrought new meaning from 'Share Your Love' and 'The Great Pretender'.

In 1974 the Band backed Bob Dylan on his acclaimed Planet Waves album and undertook the extensive tour documented on Before The Flood. The experience inspired a renewed creativity and Northern Lights - Southern Cross, their strongest set since The Band , included 'Acadian Driftwood', one of Robertson's most evocative compositions. However, the individual members had decided to dissolve the group and their partnership was sundered in 1976 with a gala performance at San Francisco's Winter land ballroom on 25 November. The event, The Last Waltz, featured many guest contributions, including those by Dylan, Eric Clapton , Muddy Waters , Van Morrison, Neil Young , Joni Mitchell and Paul Butterfield , and was the subject of Martin Scorsese's film of the same name and a commemorative triple album. The Band also completed their contractual obligations with Islands , a somewhat tepid set notable only for 'Knocking' Lost John', which featured a rare lead vocal from Robertson.

Levon Helm then pursued a dual career as a performer and actor, Rick Danko recorded an intermittently interesting solo album, while Hudson saved his talent for session appearances. Robbie Robertson scored soundtracks to several more Scores films, but kept a relatively low profile, refusing to join the ill-fated Band reunions of 1984 and 1985. A third tour ended in tragedy when, on 7 March 1986, Richard Manuel hanged himself in a motel room. His death inspired 'Fallen Angel' on Robertson's outstanding 'comeback' album, but despite the presence of Hudson and Danko elsewhere on the record, the guitarist refused to join his colleagues when they regrouped again in 1991. Their first studio album in 17 years was released in 1993, but Jericho and 1996's High On The Hog both suffered from lackluster songs and the lack of Robertson's powerful presence. Altogether different was the legendary 1973 concert recorded at Watkins Glen Racetrack, which was finally released in 1995 and captures the band at a musical peak. The Band smelt of Americana (or Canadian) like no other before or since. This is the flavors of Barney Hoskins' compelling biography, which argues with conviction and evidence that they are North America's greatest ever rock 'n' roll band.

Copyright Martin Sebastian Millara

Last update January 2000 …