I was lucky enough to see 4 out of 5 members of the Band live (Robbie Robertson with Elvis Costello in Rome, Italy, in the nineties; Rick Danko in NYC in 1998; Levon Helm at the Ramble in Woodstock in 2009; and Garth himself with the Sadies in NYC in 2010). I actually managed to speak to Garth before his concert with the Sadies: he was kind and gracious, he told me he hadn't slept in 14 days. Great article BTW. There'll never be a group even remotely comparable to the Band again.
I just had an epiphany: I seriously wonder if my parents played The Band on repeat when I was little because I feel like it was just embedded in my soul since birth. Music has always seemed to hit me different than other people and I have such an appreciation for country, delta blues, bluegrass, and more recently folk music. The whole Big Pink album has always seemed strangely familiar. I am starting to think that I was born with The Band playing on my dad's old "reel to reel". Whether or not, it would be so sad to not appreciate something as amazing as The Band, and "Honey Boy" especially!!!
I was lucky enough to see 4 out of 5 members of the Band live (Robbie Robertson with Elvis Costello in Rome, Italy, in the nineties; Rick Danko in NYC in 1998; Levon Helm at the Ramble in Woodstock in 2009; and Garth himself with the Sadies in NYC in 2010). I actually managed to speak to Garth before his concert with the Sadies: he was kind and gracious, he told me he hadn't slept in 14 days. Great article BTW. There'll never be a group even remotely comparable to the Band again.
That's lovely that you got to see them play. I am envious. And thank you! Garth is a great one for sure.
I always love hearing Garth's piano fills in the choruses of The Weight. Each one different, all beautiful.
I got to hear him live playing piano on The Weight in 2016, but sadly, no fills. Maybe just as well; you can't relive the past...
Amazingly well written! You have spoken for a generation here sir.
Love love love this.
I just had an epiphany: I seriously wonder if my parents played The Band on repeat when I was little because I feel like it was just embedded in my soul since birth. Music has always seemed to hit me different than other people and I have such an appreciation for country, delta blues, bluegrass, and more recently folk music. The whole Big Pink album has always seemed strangely familiar. I am starting to think that I was born with The Band playing on my dad's old "reel to reel". Whether or not, it would be so sad to not appreciate something as amazing as The Band, and "Honey Boy" especially!!!
May he live to be 100. One of the first songs that ever grabbed my soul was chest fever. Garths intro was just amazing.
It really punches you in the face.