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Levon Helm's Book About "The Band"

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Chat' started by Joe Strummer, Jul 31, 2014.

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  1. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    I just finished it --
    It's old....been out since the 90's I think ?......but I just got interested in it, as I browsed.
    A couple things ---
    *
    Why do these musicians all end up into dope ?
    Every damn rock bio - book I've read -- they ALL end up
    at some point into dope.
    I played in a bar band for 10 yrs --- Coke was king back then --
    but I thank god I never got addicted to any crap that was around.
    *
    Levon really HATED Martin Scorsese.
    He said he never saw a dime from "The Last Waltz".
    ( and Levon's number that he sang was the only song that wasn't
    overdubbed later --- all the rest were.)
    Levon was asked to overdub + refused . He hated the project from the start.
    *
    Robbie Robertson comes off as a pretty big jerk - by the end of the book.
    Numerous reasons why.
    But I loved the fact his mic was always turned off + he'd fake like he was singing !
    That cracked me up !
    *
    My older brother brought "The Band" records into our house -
    My sisters' brought in Motown + female vocalists -
    A cousin brought in the Folky Bob Dylan records + we just loved his electric records -
    Me ?.....I guess, I contributed anything that had a ballsy/bluesy guitar in it.
    Funny how all those different tastes melted together on the same little record player !!!
    *
    When suggesting a name for the group --
    " Crackers" was a serious consideration.
    *
    3 out of the original 5 are deceased.
     
  2. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

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    Up on Cripple Creek

    She sends me
     
  3. thecarve

    thecarve Misanthrope

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    The most underrated band in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Period.

    And leave it to four Canucks (with the help of a good old boy from Arkansas, of course) to nail Americana like no one else before or since. It’s a shame Helm and Robertson never reconciled (at least that I’m aware of). I woulda loved to hear more from those guys.

    Levon might not have liked the final product, but The Last Waltz is the best rock ‘n’ roll movie of all time – nothing else comes close. Dylan, The Band, Clapton, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, etc…and with a young Scorsese at the helm? Are you kidding me?! :headbang:


    RIP Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Richard Manuel. :peace:
     
  4. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

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    Joe your post made me look through a cedar chest I have kept over the years (Was my mothers hope chest actually) I have all my old albums in..Thought I had the Last Waltz in there..Distinctly remember the cover photo though of the lit matches/lighters.. My fav song of the Band was 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down . Damn have not opened the chest in years and years...
    Beatles White album Stones Zappa (RIP) Grand Funk CCR Hot Tuna Woodstock JJ Cale (RIP) Genesis Tull Zep Black Sabbath BOC Cars Jim Croce Pure Prairie League CSN+Y...Blast from the past.
    Wish I had the time to convert them from turntable (Have a Sony) to digital..Thanks
     
  5. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    There was a documentary about Levon Helm, "Ain't in it for my Health". It was sad but great. Based on the movie he never made up with Robertson.
     
  6. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    When I was in college, one year I worked graveyard shift at a self-serve gas station in Boston, just outside Kenmore Sq where there were lots of clubs and bars.

    One night around 3:00am, a limo pulls in, the driver gets out, and then some guy gets out of the back and grabs the nozzle from the driver and starts pumping the gas. With a lit cig dangling from his mouth.

    Yep, 'twas Levon Helm.
     
  7. paperposter

    paperposter MIA

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    nice guy had the pleasure of going to his barn for some of his last shows and being on the road for one of his last co tours with phil lesh of the grateful dead.

    in the 80's went out with danko and manuel . levon was a sweatheart
     
  8. Jimbucc

    Jimbucc VIP Whale

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