The Band – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

The Band Biography

The Band was a Canadian-American rock band founded in 1967 in Toronto, Ontario. Rick Danko (bass, guitar, vocals, fiddle), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals), Robbie Robertson (guitar, songwriting, vocals), and Levon Helm (drums, vocals, mandolin, guitar) made up the band. The Band influenced performers such as Elton John, the Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, and Wilco by combining elements of Americana, folk, rock, jazz, country, and R&B.

Between 1958 and 1963, the Hawks were a supporting band for rockabilly vocalist Ronnie Hawkins. The group parted from Hawkins in late 1963 due to personal issues. They recorded numerous songs to critical and popular acclaim after quitting Dylan and adopting their name to “The Band,” including their breakthrough album Music from Big Pink in 1968. According to AllMusic, the album had a significant influence on several generations of musicians: musician Roger Waters called Music from Big Pink the second-most influential record in rock and roll history, and music journalist Al Aronowitz described it as “country soul… a sound never heard before.” “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” and “Up on Cripple Creek” were among their most popular songs.

The Band was hailed by music writer Bruce Eder as “one of the most successful and influential rock groups in the world, its music accepted by critics… as seriously as the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.” In 1989, the Band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and in 1994, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed them 50th among the 100 greatest musicians of all time, with “The Weight” rating 41st among the 500 greatest songs of all time. The trio earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and they were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2014.

The Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Costello, Elton John, Phish, and Pink Floyd have all been influenced by The Band.

The record Music from Big Pink, in particular, is credited with influencing Clapton’s decision to leave Cream. During his introduction of the Band at Bob Dylan‘s 30th Anniversary Concert, Clapton stated that he first heard the album in 1968, “and it changed my life.” The name Nazareth was inspired by a sentence in the film “The Weight.” Guitarist Richard Thompson has acknowledged the album’s influence on Fairport Convention’s Liege and Lief, and journalist John Harris has suggested that the spirit of the Beatles’ back-to-basics album Let It Be, as well as the Rolling Stones’ string of roots-infused albums that began with Beggars Banquet, was influenced by the Band’s debut. George Harrison stated that the Band strongly affected his song “All Things Must Pass,” and that when writing the song, he pictured Levon Helm performing it. Meanwhile, the song “The Weight” by Music from Big Pink has been covered multiple times and in a variety of musical styles. “We certainly didn’t want everybody to go out and purchase a banjo and a fiddle player,” Robbie Robertson said of the group’s influence in a 1969 interview. We were trying to calm things down a bit though. What we’re going to do now is go to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and record four sides, four psychedelic songs. Total freak-me songs. Just to show that we have no hard feelings. Just pretty good rock and roll.”

The Band Discography

JubilationYouTube
High on the Hog
JerichoApple
Islands
Northern Lights – Southern Cross
Moondog Matinee
CahootsYouTube
Stage FrightYouTubeAmazon
The BandSpotifyAppleYouTube
Music from Big PinkSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

Top Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

The Band?

The Band was a Canadian-American rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario, in 1967.

Why Is The Band So Famous?

The band is famous because they are incredibly talented and have a huge following. They have released several successful albums and have toured extensively. Their music is loved by many fans around the world.

When Did The Band Play With Bob Dylan?

The band played with Bob Dylan in 1965.

What Are The Most Popular Songs By The Band?

The most popular songs by the band are “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and “Yesterday.

Most Searched For Band Songs

Thinkin’ Out Loud – Stripped Down Mix Spotify
The Weight – Remastered 2000 SpotifyAppleYouTube
Twilight – Early Alternate Version/Remastered 2001 Spotify
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down SpotifyAppleYouTube
Up On Cripple Creek SpotifyAppleYouTube
Get Up Jake – Outtake/Stereo Remix / Remastered 2000 Spotify
Atlantic City – live SpotifyApple
Ophelia – Remastered 2000 SpotifyApple
Slippin’ And Slidin’ – Live Spotify
Share Your Love With Me – Remastered Spotify