Robbie Robertson on his documentary Once Were Brothers

Robbie Robertson sat down to reflect on what The Band was, what it could have been and why it ended. He also discussed why now was the time for a definitive documentary on the legendary group and what it's like to tell their story on his own.
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[@steve767300]

Rest in peace Robbie. Thanks for the wonderful music!

[@davidgaudreau6834]

I just finished reading Testimony…..wonderful book. I didn’t want to finish it, because it was so good. Listening to Robbie tell his stories brings a warmth to me. His voice is so calm and reflective…..RIP brother…..Love your music even more now……

[@hannejeppesen1809]

I was almost done with the book when I heard Robbie had died. I have loved The Band since I first heard Up on Cripple Creek, in 1969, I was living in New York City and in my twenties. Yes the book was great, not only gave you an insight into The Band,but also to the times back then.

[@martinnoelrobert8022]

RIP - one of my biggest heroes. The entire band.

[@iamthelizardking3178]

The past year I’ve been going back to my roots, I’ve listened to the band probably daily. To and from work, going out and having fun in life, it’s been a part of everything. Robbie’s words are on my mind every day. His impact on the world, affects me every day. It was a hard blow, to look down at my phone and see he had passed yesterday. I’ve been doing nothing but immersing myself in those old stories they wrote together. Because the music deserves it, they deserve it. Shine some of that light back to them, roll your windows down and feel every note the next time Acadian Driftwood comes on your car stereo. Keep this legacy and this tradition alive.

[@halstupp566]

Saw then at Saratoga Performing Art Center too many years ago to count. They were my special group. They fit together perfectly!

[@feliciashea3506]

Goodness I live in your world now I don't feel so lonely

[@intrepid199]

Great interview Tom! Thank you Robbie for all the beautiful music ❤. You’ll live on when the music plays.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

I am so pleased with the fact that they decided to make a documentary on The Band...long overdue!

[@DJGerryfromStarlightMusic]

Robbie Robertson is an extremely gifted storyteller, musician, performer and songwriter!!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

He will be the 1st to tell you that and 1st to remind you

[@noellarash367]

I could listen to him talking all day

[@kirby711]

Very talented but HUGE EGO

[@k4847]

@@lastnamefirst4035 AND yet DJ Gerry just told you that 1st AND I reminded you of it....

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@k4847 ok Id recall what this is all about so Ill just say I agree to whatever which I guess that RR is the best of everything, no argument. Praise RR he is lord and king of it all. Amen

[@subsubsubsub5413]

His solo work is just amazing. Very gifted artist

[@carolbrandon6368]

Love this interview with Robbie Robertson an Tom powers i heard this twice on CBC radio an now finally got 2 see it on here sad to hear he's gone Rest in Pease Robbie.

[@jjd4034]

Robbie is a fantastic songwriter and storyteller. His self-titled and Contact from the Underworld albums are so good.

[@dsalerno4980]

…amazing how the most creative of us are also the most inspirational. Robbie is so dynamic. A human treasure.

[@chrisshenzo2594]

Time will never diminish the absolute authority and soul in their music, and even during the "dramatic" flourishes in Robbie's visual memoirs there's a passionate ring of "truth" that makes a fan miss him, Levon, Rick and Richard even more.Blessed Peace Rx2❤ Garth a unique, and thankfully still living legend unto himself.

[@drakensberg.multimedia]

Mr. Robertson was a great example of a real "Cool Cat"!👍🏼

[@cynthialangley7338]

Amazing phenomenal interview. Robbie was an authentic human being. Deep gratitude. Thanks for sharing this. Rest peacefully Robbie 🌹

[@roquefortfiles]

I have to admit that I didn't get "The Band" when i was growing up. Didn't appreciate the rhythms and classic Americana. Then I got into a band in high school and learned how to play guitar. Then got into blues and Jazz and suddenly I realized that I wasn't ready for "The Band". I so get and understand what they did now. I am a huge fan.

[@createone100]

Now, the Brothers are reunited for their encore. Love you, Robbie. ❤🎶🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏🏻

[@patriciasmith9740]

Robbie is awesome he has every right to talk about the band and all their accomplishments

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Great honest documentary. Robbie did a great job narrating the story in a fair and measured way. Some great archival footage and photos put together in a truly heartfelt way. What a group The Band were.

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

I find it kind of frustrating that most people in these comments are arguing about Robbie's mistakes, rather than talking about really interesting things like the part of this interview where he talks about picking up diverse film scripts at a bookstore in NYC, and how those scripts influenced his writing.

[@danocable]

Thanks Jeff, did you see mrs Hamilton’s comment.??

[@danocable]

He’s in is later 70s unbelievable.👍🙏

[@k4847]

They are just pissed cuz it's Ok for Natives to get Shafted BUT not OK to get Shafted by Natives And Robbie screwed these guys over big time in public for all the world to see. lol

[@smokinjoe45]

Robbie was the man. What a talented musician and a great human. We miss you dearly

[@seangrexa4707]

He looks great! Hard to believe we lost him not long after this interesting interview. His book is on my short list. The Band has been so influential in my life, maybe in the top 3 musical fascinations. Tears of Rage, Whispering Pines, Acadian Driftwood, so many great ones!

[@TheHeroicDoses]

fun drinking game when listening to robbie interviews, everytime he says "i wrote" take a shot. black out pretty quickly

[@eddieharris4168]

Great Songwriter

[@j.p.fitting9226]

like when bassist Carol Kaye says i played on this and this ! haha no question she's a motha and played on thousands of smashes! but NOT the famous Jamerson Motown bass lines that i've read her taking credit for! who knows although famous producer , muso & my good friend in LA met RR the afore mentioned dude at party in LaLa and was disappointed .. said he smoked fattys non stop and just wanted to talk about himself haha like an actor "enough about you , lets talk some more about me !" everyone's a critic eh? suppose if i had wrote The Weight i'd be a Mike Crodyck too!

[@badda_boom8017]

Haha it's funny I was thinking exactly the same. It's like he goes out of his way to say he wrote something.

[@namcat53]

Read Levon's book; he lays out the truth about Robbie and The Last Waltz fiasco.

[@coriwallace4365]

Bless his soul w

[@paulawebber]

Great interview, and things I didn't know...his connection to Scorsese and the many movies he was involved in over the years; amazing!

[@joannehack7588]

Miss you Robbie

[@at_brunch3836]

What a fun and pleasant interview. Same Tom...Dr. John.

[@dar44445]

Love Robbie Robertson !! I'll Never Forget #especially one particular song. Mmmmn... Sooo Gooood

[@dreamwell2020]

We get a feel here for how much Robbie always loved to be at work on whatever he had going on. That's why all the extraneous distractions that so often get in the way of the art in his line of work never seemed to bother him.

[@georgebethos7890]

Robbie looks great for 70 and remains insightful and creative. I know,what he did with the publishing was very uncool but he still has given all of us tremendous pleasure with the music he has brought forth

[@kevinjoseph517]

70? 75? born 1943---75-77 when interviewed?

[@k4847]

So IT WAs cool with what happened to Robbie's Ancestors when their land was stole huh?

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 😂 Idiot. *stolen

[@hobbes4583]

He's one of the most tasteful players and elegant songwriters alive. He has a big ego and it's well deserved.

[@anthonylong8704]

nice to see something about the BAND, bought the album THE BAND after hearing THE WEIGHT on BBC radio in the sixtiesalso have watched the new documentory on i player

[@KendallLindsey]

I could not be more chuffed that R R is a Kurasawa fan. God love him 💜

[@kirby711]

Great when RR says well yeah everybody was young in response to the guy's question "he was young right?" I know the feeling

[@k4847]

Simply Genius to write "well yeah everybody was young" in response lol

[@peek-a-moose2491]

Excellent and hobnest interview.

[@coolprof1951]

At 16...summer before junior year in HS, summer of ‘67.....Fr. Jim Jackson, MM, our upcoming junior year religion teacher...turned us on to Music from Big Pink....I’ll never forget that night down at the Wailoa Park, in an open pavilion with a portable phonograph....it was the beginning of a lifetime love affair with the Band, Dylan and that music that blew minds like Clapton and so many others....so in 2020, at almost 70, listenting to this interview, all the other Band members gone....if I got that right....Garth Hudson passed not too long ago, I think....this is an epiphany and another passing....I feel honored and lucky to be here, alive, reliving the images of times past, and reveling in the memories of that introduction to a love affair with the extraordinary music that you guys created and lived with the passion and ferociousness that only guys like you guys could portray......Thanks for a lifetime of music and memories.....

[@rybrand9211]

Garth is still with us.

[@randyzimmerman4239]

I thought that this interview was the best I've seen with RR. Good question's that took him out of his comfort zone and made him think... and, explain. He gave the boy's their just due and accepted his own role and accomplishment's in their overall success.

[@k4847]

With out him they would have became NOTHING and DID become nothing when he left to do other projects. They not only became poor without him 60% of The Band DIED with out him. Robertson is still ALIVE successful and is rich SO WHO NEEDED WHOM???

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 “they died without him”? 😂😂🤣🤣 How ridiculous.

[@greglarry11]

The best remark in the movie came from Jimmy Vivino "Nobody can feud like a family. Families can go to the grave feuding."

[@tomgebarowski8156]

Up on Cripple Creek was a fantastic rollicking rootsy song by The Band. One of my favorites. Too bad you don't hear The Band more on fm radio.

[@matteougolini6753]

"We didn't join anybody's club." Love The Band!

[@k4847]

And Robbie Wrote that too....according to him lol

[@kennethrussell1158]

A legend in Canada and The United States.

[@kennethrussell1158]

@Donald Trump Thank you Mr. President 😃

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@Donald Trump but U had to comment on an edit. And I just edited my comment bc I didnt want to call u a bad name. This is stupid

[@someguy2901]

And he still has to lie about The Bands history.

[@georgebethos7890]

Kenneth Russell ASSKISSER!!

[@kennethrussell1158]

@@georgebethos7890 George come on, Lighten up. Look, "Cool is the rule, But Sometimes Bad Is Bad".

[@sarahsosa729]

RIP MY BROTHER! 🙏 I AM 1/8TH CHEROKEE/CHOCTAW FROM MY Father's SIDE. HE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED!

[@mimispeike793]

"Couldn't get it to rhyme." I know it well. I write storytelling verse. You just keep pounding away. Go away, go to another place, come back. I feel such a kinship with Robbie. One line at a time. I don't think too far beyond that. I love to hear him talk about how he writes. We work the same way, I find that thrilling.

[@geekay1349]

thanks for the memories (ala Bob Hope)

[@durgadevi8891]

It was never "Robbie Robertson & The Band" it was THE BAND!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Uh..run that by him

[@thedebbieparrybandx4733]

Well said, mate. That caught my eye. It was all of ‘em, not just him. Is there an ego issue here?

[@daevidlangdon]

I think Robbie Robertson and the Band is fine. It separates Robertson from the Band , he was once an important part of the Band but quit. Everyone came back to the Band after the Last Waltz except Robbie. I like the separation as it fits.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@Realistic Thinking thats what robbie tells us. I dont believe robbie

[@helethead]

@@daevidlangdon he explains why he didn’t want to go back out with them. They ALL quit. They were all so great, but Robbie wrote the songs.

[@Braglemaster123]

Excellent

[@namcat53]

I'm glad and lucky I saw The Band with Bob Dylan in D.C.1974, The Band in early 1976 in Santa Cruz and The Last Waltz Winterland in 1976...all amazing shows. Some friends were outraged that Bill Graham would charge $24 for The Last Waltz. I wasn't. What a night. Everyone except... Neil Diamond??? nobody liked him...was amazing. Thanks Bill Graham.

[@arvidsmith1038]

Robbie had produced Neil Diamond's 'Beautiful Noise ' album.. Diamond was an aquaintance and colleague really from the Brill building , songwriting days. A good bit of the Southern rock'a'billy scene had their publishing in NYC ...In the Last waltz Robbie talks about Lieber/ Stoller,, Doc Pomus, Carole King and Neil etc...... Ronnie Hawkins label . Roulette, was run by Morris Levy who automatically became your co-writer ( or your legs got broken ) and 17 year old Robbie got a fast lesson in the biz..... Levy made and robbed Tommy James for years....... Tommy finally got his back money decades later.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWOWqISfo5WNrMU

[@guybeauregard]

Robbie is friggen brilliant. RIP.

[@c.w.b.5409]

RIP angel your music will always be shared

[@songsmithy07]

The Band's story fits the trope of the hero's journey to a tee. Joseph Campbell outlined the hero's journey as having 3 distinct stages: Departure: the Hero leaves the familiar world behind. Initiation: the Hero learns to navigate the unfamiliar world of adventure. Return: the Hero returns to the familiar world. The Band typifies this trope in modern times. So I say, without equivocation, that The Band were true heroes.

[@createone100]

The Hero’s Journey is everywhere, always, in every story, every book, everybody’s life.

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

I love RR’s work. His best work is among the most enduring of his era, but... he doesn’t seem to understand or allow himself to be honest. For example, John Fogerty wrote more numerous and enduring tunes. The other guys in The Band were absolutely critical to bring RR’s songs to the peak they needed. A little humility would go so far.

[@danocable]

K Hamilton Are you kidding, come on.You might want to delete that.🙏❤️

[@kirby711]

Dr Buzz I agree with you

[@k4847]

And yet the other guys in the band are DEAD (except for giant head Garth) yet Robbie is not dead and is still creating music. There you go an honest artist still creating and just dead guys who are not creating anything

[@kirby711]

@@k4847 what a disgusting way to talk about the Band You don't make a good size pimple on any of their butts

[@jimmarshall3668]

If you really paid attention to the interview he said exactly what you referred to. @30:04 he doesn't say it like you did but he does talk about how critical every member were to the success of the Band!

[@adamtzsch]

“I’ve never seen this before. You have separate artwork for every single track?” 1992, Us, Peter Gabriel springs to mind.

[@saulstar5203]

Luv Robbie

[@paulafarriswillems3657]

Robbie Robertson. It’s not ego. But what is it? Listening to his solo music, it (he) could be described as a restless, soul drenched, exhibition (ist).Robbie was always on a mission. Rick, Richard, Garth and Levon brought the blues, rock, gospel, grit to his to songs.To the sound. The sound was magic. Never to be replicated. I love this band so much. It hurts to think of disloyalty between members. I wish I didn’t know the “he said she said” story. It’s strikes me that Robbie Robertson was always a step ahead of the others. They wanted to keep up but,... maybe Robbie couldn’t wait. Especially when drugs took hold of the band. Home town, straight forward, country boys being led by a complex, ambitious, personality. Sorry for the psychoanalysts b.s. I really don’t know lol. This band just means so much to me. So, thank you to all of them. Garth and Robbie. Thank you.

[@kevinjoseph517]

the 3 sang the songs. RR isnt much of a singer.

[@scottspiwak9073]

I agree with much of what you said Paula. I've been trying to dissect what happened after the Last Waltz and would like to buy both books by RR and LH. I really like RR for many reasons but reading others comments (the ones that seem well measured) is disheartening. I think your post most reflects what seems to be true regarding RR's ambition vs the others more relaxed approach towards life. I also wonder if the others abuses didn't aggravate him more then he really lets on (out of genuine love for them and not disparaging them).

[@hannejeppesen1809]

I wouldn't say the drug abused aggravated Robbie, he was doing drugs himself, although he stayed away from heroin. However, he was more ambitious than the other guys, as they got more into hard drugs, Robbie became the caretaker of the 3 of the addicted members, he was exhausted, trying to care of everything, and was married with small children. He got to a point where he felt something bad would happened due to all the drugs and car crashes.@@scottspiwak9073

[@hannejeppesen1809]

@@kevinjoseph517 He didn't have to be, he had 3 great singers in the Band, but he wrote some great lyrics.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

You are right I have read Robbie's book, and a couple of others about The Band. They all did drugs, but Robbie and Garth stayed away from heroin, with Robbie and suspect Garth as wel,l music always came first, Robbie married and had 2 daughters close in age by 1970, his wife helped to keep him grounded. Yes, Robbie was more ambitious than the others, also as drugs got more prevalent, Robbie got scared, felt very strongly they had to get off the road.

[@genebrenner855]

You can learn about the Band from reading Robbie's autobiography and Levon Helm's. Some duplication but not a lot. Playing with Ronnie Hawkins is a major part of both books. I'm reading and somewhat re-reading both. Boy, A lot happened.

[@scottweitzenfeld3732]

I love the band and Robbie and he keeps emphasizing he wrote the songs and he did but some bands no matter who wrote the songs share the songwriting and the money from songwriting for example rem, u2 and these bands last forever because they are all rich so it's ironic that a band named the band didn't share songwriting and that is what caused friction but Robbie had every right to not share because he wrote the songs BUT they were the BAND...it's tough

[@rayglasscock9667]

I wish I could have wrote your feelings about the situation but would have had gotten maybe a little crazy well put

[@edited7382]

Robbie Robertson....IN the Band for 15 years...DISCUSSING the Band's history for 45 years.

[@kevinjoseph517]

and rereleasing songs..compilations or whatever.

[@k4847]

Well SOMEBODY has to make the CA$H off The Band

[@kevinjoseph517]

@@k4847 not the other 4...3 of whom are...

[@JeffaHensley]

People ask him about it all the time, should he not respond?

[@Caperhere]

Robbie still looking fine. Wish Garth would write an autobiography. Testimony was great.

[@kieselsteinchen9795]

what are the earphones phones for?

[@buckfan1969]

I'll go and see the film because I loved The Band, but Robertson is just putting his side of the story out there now, and he waited till the rest of the band members were dead (except for Garth, who refused to be interviewed). Robertson left the rest of the band high and dry, and got all the writing royalties. I know he wrote most of their music, but nobody would remember any of his songs without the collaboration and talent of the rest of the group.

[@camcook7241]

I totally agree.

[@CatmanBill]

@@camcook7241 the big point is that without the whole group, Robertson would be hardly a foot note.

[@billdufour1630]

The publishing was split up five ways until Richard, Rick, and Garth sold their share to Robbie towards the end of The Band. No one was ripped off, no one forced them to sell their shares of the publishing. That was their decision because they wanted the cash now instead of waiting for royalty checks....

[@CatmanBill]

@@billdufour1630 I wonder how much they lost in exchange for the sale.

[@timmysullivan2515]

Helm, Manuel, and Danko all became liabilities with drug use. The Band’s struggle with substance abuse throughout the early-to-mid-70s, after the group had released its first two landmark albums, is common knowledge. Richard Manuel and Levon Helm got into a drunk-driving accident a few days after Robertson’s wedding, while Rick Danko got into several crashes, one of which left him in critical condition with a broken neck. It's not Robbie's fault that everyone else died broke and coked up.

[@charlesgarnhum6963]

R.I.P. Robbie.❤

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

He seems to have very genuine love for his former Band mates, of course. I'm not sure why everyone seems to think you're either on "team Robbie" or "team Levon". I'm sure both sides are right and wrong. But to call ANY member of the band a "talentless hack" is the height of stupidity.

[@BobSchusterMusiccom]

Jeff Brown-Hill publishing money

[@jeffbrown-hill7739]

@@BobSchusterMusiccom I'm aware that publishing money was the main issue.

[@mikearchibald744]

Yeah, of all the things to call Robbie Robertson or any guy in that band a 'talentless hack' is to REALLY not understand music.

[@carlfeher2129]

Yes, they were all exceptional musicians. The Band, as Robbie admits, wouldn't haven been what it was without the unique contributions of each member. And that's why in retrospect it might have been a better idea to share the songwriting royalties equally among the members like REM did as a way of acknowledging the importance of each member. God knows with his voice they wouldn't have been as famous and lauded like they were if he had to sing lead on all the songs he 'wrote.'

[@tyrapp262]

@@carlfeher2129 Well, they did get equal publishing. At the time, arrangement wasn't considered songwriting.

[@pbtoutant]

Tumbleweed Connection is such a great album.

[@kevinjoseph517]

?????

[@pbtoutant]

@@kevinjoseph517 it's an early Elton John album mentioned in the interview.

[@PaulaJoW]

His recounting is very measured.

[@sspbrazil]

Peter Gabriel did separate artwork for every song on his “US” album and he utilized different artists to come up with artwork for each song.

[@k4847]

Just like Robertson utilized different artists to come up with vocals for each song Robertson wrote lol.

[@rayglasscock9667]

I didn’t know what was happening with the band my own life was was having trouble, But when I woke up I was gutted to the loss of my own Band. The BAND. How does this happen R.I.P. how much money 💰 does one ☝️ man need roof .clothes.food.car’s a place to lay your head pass it round brother take a load of f fanny take a look 👀 it’s free it’s weird and and I’m sorry for rambling 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇺🇸🇺🇸if’s but’s maybe’s It’s just I would love to been there with you all day and every day

[@jon-nolanacousticsingerson9920]

Safe Journey brother!

[@navasaband]

Pure unadulterated LEGEND.

[@mikearchibald744]

Do interviewers now go to interviewing school where they are taught "ok, you are so great, here's this great thing, how did that make you feel?" Every goddam interview question is "how did you feel". I'm still waiting for the honest answer to be "I felt hungry" or "I felt thirsty". Its the dumbest goddam question you can possibly ask. People aren't musicians but you can ask SOME questions with a little detail in what they were doing as professionals and not just 'how did you feel' and 'how did you work together' and such generic questions.

[@Vickytoriahirt1234]

What do you expect....it's the CBC

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Its like a therapist over and over "and how did that make you feel"

[@k4847]

And how do you feel about what you just commented on?

[@Caperhere]

People have replaced “think”, with “ feel” in conversation.

[@SoloAcousticTim]

I wish for once an interviewer would step up and ask RR about his taking publishing and leaving his "brothers" broke and broken, or how a kid from Canada could channel the heart and lexicon of someone who grew up in the American south all by him self? And if his mic really was not hot during the shooting of The Last Waltz? (BTW count the number of times in this interview he says, "I wrote")

[@banjocinema1954]

yea, lots of "I's" ... ugh

[@alexgramm5170]

I'm with you and all that you said, man. When he realized the money in the publishing rights, he should have gone to his friends and said this is how it lays out, I'm writing most of the songs, but we're all in it together let's work out a fair percentage. He still would have made some excellent bucks. I was in the supermarket the other day Ophelia was on their speakers. I love it I love his solo in it. But the truth is he's basically an a******.

[@MarkChapeau]

Rick B lol not quite the same thing. We expected more from Robbie, Trump is what he is, human garbage!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@MarkChapeau lol

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@Rick B sometimes you gotta be ugly for the truth to be heard. Ugly and honest

[@maximusmillion744]

I love Robbie

[@dalebuckley8593]

What do you think of catsup, Robbie? Well, speaking as a songwriter and the songwriter for all the original songs of The Band, which I wrote, I look at all the old clips of my band, and remember that Marty said to never let emotion, editing and such get in the way of the story of me. I put all this in my book, Testimony, about me, and not so much about those other guys. I'm glad The Last Waltz still exists, where Marty, in his less productive days before he knew me, and I could tell the true story of me.... It's useful to see this interview. I never imagined Robbie and his Ego could both fit in the same room at the same time.

[@jenniferharper7344]

What is wrong with you people? He was/is a great musician, they were/are a great band...they all contributed by being there!! Stop reading into things you know nothing about.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@jenniferharper7344 read his book testimony. I really liked him until I read it. Now I cant stand him as a person. Good musician tho

[@k4847]

Almost correct but not quite You forgot how Robbie would have taken the credit for writing the word Ketchup Right and stealing the Ketchup writing royalties from the other band members lol

[@tyrapp262]

Yeah, Robbie does have a big ego. But then again, he earned it.

[@namcat53]

@@jenniferharper7344 They do know and you don't. Accept that you can be wrong.

[@terjemork112]

the king:)

[@lindamayberry4326]

I'm reading Small Town Talk. Grossman took Robbie early early and got to him. And the rest of the guys never took to them. Barney Hoskyns talks about how Robbie got his ideas on writing songs. Life around him. So I truly believe he had a lot of collaboration from the Band. Look for other sources and the truth comes out

[@k4847]

So then according to YOU LINDA your "truth" is that Robbie collaborated wit The Band at 15yo wen he wrote a song for Ronnie Hawkins who used his song Robertson wrote on his album. SO you "Truly Believe" your own BS that "comes out" yer BOTh ends HUH LINDA?

[@neatboutique1916]

@@k4847 wtf

[@k4847]

@@neatboutique1916 STFU

[@tyrapp262]

How do you explain why Richard Manuel wanted to retain Grossman as his personal manager after the break up if he never took to him? It apparently hit him hard when he (Grossman) died in early 1986 and speculation it partly lead to his (Manuel's) suicide later that year?

[@digger815]

If there’s ever a movie made about The Band, Matt Cohen is the obvious choice to play Robbie. He Is the cleaned -up younger version of Robbie Robertson

[@k4847]

Wit all the racism I very much doubt there will be a motion picture of the band. Besides Robbie already made one and showed who was the OBVIOUS talent in The Band lol

[@kevinjoseph517]

ronnie hawk and maude hudson died recently.

[@vintagelife6879]

love robbi but what a great host!

[@markhindmarsh9360]

This interview has such historical significance,some of the questions asked,the reply came from the horses mouth.Unless Garth speaks the band has faded into folklore.

[@theshitshow6371]

I think Robbie is a fantastic song writer and guitar player, but I feel like he should've explained his discrepancys about The Band when Levon and Danko were still living a long time ago. Because they're not around to be interviewed and discuss anything Robertson did that was detrimental to their performance.

[@MrTwk1955]

They all knew the discrepancy and it needs to be said that they ALL sold their song writing credits to him

[@cathypreston1095]

Our Canadian Hero

[@JustSwell]

I'm here for the comments.

[@k4847]

W0w You Wrote that? You are just as talented as the DEAd members of The Band

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 Says the troll who struggles to write a decent sentence.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

Once Were Brothers is aptly named song. The song is great, but bittersweet.

[@deanguy66]

Interesting. First time I heard the Nazareth verse in The Weight, I immediately thought of the story of Jesus.

[@jameshutchinson6594]

It's called an allegory.

[@deanguy66]

@@jameshutchinson6594 Yeah, that's sort of a given.

[@adamtzsch]

@@jameshutchinson6594 Sure about that?

[@drummerboy1390]

He who writes the songs earns the royalties. He who plays the songs gets wages, no matter how big their contributions. Don’t ask me how I know. That’s the way it is. End of story. My Dad had a saying that when money comes in the door, everything, friendships, even family go’s out the window.

[@wrongwayranger684]

Why isn’t Garth Hudson in the movie?

[@wrongwayranger684]

Sheryl Wilson no he’s not interviewed

[@brotzmannsax]

@@wrongwayranger684 He made some poor excuses not to include him too, insulted the only other living member and changed the title of the group, wow.

[@kevinjoseph517]

@@brotzmannsax yes..some say garth didnt want to be interviewed.

[@k4847]

There was NO ROOM for Garth's GIANT head

[@tyrapp262]

@@brotzmannsax Hudson is in bad health. He could barely walk and that was 5 years ago.

[@jamesdrynan]

I like some of the material The Band created.These five boys found a sound that was unique for its time. Instrumentation, musicianship and harmonies that produced a distinctive vibe. I think that Robertson has a certain spotted coat,like the idiomatic leopard.He cheated his band mates out of well-deserved royalties and exists on a rarefied level of self-importance. Fleeting fame tends to leave people like this in a cloud of dust,choking up back pats for themselves.

[@alexgramm5170]

Exactly, I've been trying to articulate the very thing you just said. Part of it is just a damn shame. Was he in one sense the main creative force of those songs ...yes but he stiffed his buddies, people that he came up with since he was ,17 ,18 years old; I say this as I'm sitting here right now playing the Weight on my 73 Martin d-18.(I just bought it.)😉.He didn't remember where he came from so to speak.

[@k4847]

ANNNND he cheated them AGAIN outta Once Were Brothers movie Royalties too.... lol

[@tyrapp262]

Nonsense. You are just repeating Helm-drivel.

[@badda_boom8017]

"We lost our direction after the war" Oh Vietnam War... The night they drove Dixie down. That's about a war... Robbie. We all know it's about the fighting over writing credits and money for the royalties... Why not just say it :)

[@ILikeStyx]

RIP Jaime Royal Robertson

[@ivanmay7890]

If there ever was a biopic about The Band, Daniel Radcliffe could play Robbie Robertson

[@Tom_Radigan]

i actually think Nat Wolff could play Robbie Robertson. i mean there is such a resemblance especially if you look at the band album cover

[@wangofree]

I vote for Joseph Gordon Leavitt.

[@vintagelife6879]

did they fired the last host, good!

[@lornestein7248]

He always says "when The Last Waltz ended, it was always our intention to get back together.. WE just forgot to get back together". I think he meant "After I screwed them over while they were junkied out, I couldn't get back together with them".

[@kevinjoseph517]

rick n richard. levon kept his share. garth sold his.

[@k4847]

Why would anybody want to get back with junkies? Would you?? You forget he also OUTSMARTED them with the Once We were Brothers movie too... Like they wouldn't screw Robbie over had they the mental capacity to do so.

[@neatboutique1916]

@@k4847 are you his wife or something? Jesus calm down

[@namcat53]

BINGO.

[@tomadams5582]

I haven't gotten a straight answer . Did Robbie have a faling out with Levon and the rest of the band members ???

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Robbie just said a few days ago that Levon never wrote any songs but he gave him credit anyway. Give me a break. No way do I think robertson is that generous and why would anyone share writing credits w someone who didnt contribute? Its insulting for him to think people are stupid enough to believe that. He should just stop talking about it

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@Rick B Ive always thought robertson was the writer of most.of the songs. Stupid.to give credit of no one else contributed. I think Levon's idea of contributing was not actual writing but I wasnt there. Idk these people. Only get info.ive read from them and interviews ive seen

[@031767sc]

i dont believe what RR says...especially when the rest are gone to coubter his claims

[@resslerartstudios]

Ill only go see the movie because i love the Band. ill just have to ignore RR in this context...The last I heard of levon was some recording he had completed with David Bromberg just prior to his passing. "Use Me" is name of the album.

[@k4847]

By goin to see the movie you are not ignoring (what's his name) but you are acknowledging him by giving him your money OF which I doubt he will share with The Band members lol.

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 It’s difficult to share money with corpses. Look it up.

[@carsondyle1793]

To the victor goes the spoils

[@francisanosissi1]

like it or not he wrote the songs..he became terrified of the road..and what people are calling ego is nothing on most talk show hosts..or little richard..ha..and storyville was a pretty good record..i think he even sings on it.. i thought he explained garths case with respect and affection and the reasons for leaving the band were nothing less than anyone who carrys other people in the workplace and gets jack of it.

[@dpanasuk]

Still as driven as the Canadian wind; as strong as 6 nations.

[@CatmanBill]

Beside Robertson being a boring blowhard, he was the core writer of the songs. Let me explain. There are two sides to the story, in my opinion. Yes, he did much of the writing. Band mates no doubt evolved the songs. The debate in any group is how much did others contribute. When others have added a line or two to my songs, I include their names. Robertson obviously didn’t. His and the band’s choice. The group was in their ascendance when drugs and drinking got in the way. It’s always a killer. The group imploded unfortunately because we should have been able to enjoy their rustic, down earth music through the decades. Robertson took control of things and the one huge payoff was denied the band members with royalties from the movie. They all signed off their rights. They shouldn’t have but they foolishly did. Probably stoned when they signed on the dotted line. As boring as Robertson is, always remember that in our history, it’s always been the Native American that got the short end of the stick. In this instance, the Indian took the loot and ran. Perhaps this is some kind of poetic justice. But I still feel for those very talented guys who spent impoverished lives but for one brief moment when they could have received royalties to give them a comfortable life. The Band remains forever in my heart. Thank you for reading my thoughts.

[@ChrisIceton]

This was a good read and I agree with a lot of what you said. Thanks 👍

[@k4847]

And YOU R NOT A BORING BLOWHARD? Robbie just signed Treaties wit the Guys and PROMISED THEM ROYALTIES lol

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 “Fascinating”. Stay in school.

[@petercricket]

Yes, possibly, but why not Garth Hudson and the band or??????

[@k4847]

OR even Better....Garth Hudsons Giant HEAD never mind the Band

[@brucecychosz9744]

Jerry Garcia liked Robbie s guitar playing.

[@brianpatenaude9669]

he wrote the lyrics i do not know why everyone dumps on him

[@MrBigpoe]

because all those words came from levon and robbie ripped him off thats why

[@brianpatenaude9669]

@@MrBigpoe did you ever watch the last waltz,remember the part where rick danko says robbie was writing all the songs,maybe you should watch it again or even once

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@Rick B do you do anything besides robertson?

[@k4847]

They do it cuz he is part Native American and is A STAR it's that simple...

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 😆😆🤣🤣

[@lastnamefirst4035]

He had the nerve to call it once we were brothers

[@timmysullivan2515]

But they were. Rampant drug abuse and alcoholism is the primary catalyst for The Band's disbandment. Richard Manuel and Levon Helm got into a drunk-driving accident a few days after Robertson’s wedding, while Rick Danko got into several crashes, one of which left him in critical condition with a broken neck. This kind of behavior would repeat itself many times over. Robertson even wrote two-thirds of their songs. The other members could barely even wake up because they were inebriated.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@timmysullivan2515 i see you read robertsons book. Did u read levon and john simon's books too?

[@NJcruiser]

@@lastnamefirst4035 Well as far as the writing credits went John Simon says he sides with Robertson on that. ' Simon, so intimately involved in the genesis of the Band, has a unique perspective. He says he was “not surprised” that the debate erupted, since “Robbie was working on the old Rodgers and Hart, ASCAP model.” By that, Simon means: “The writer is the writer. Levon was seeing other bands with less talented writers taking group credit for a cobbled-together song.” In the end, however, Simon says: “I side with Robbie on that one.”'

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@NJcruiser makes sense. I saw in levons movie/doc where he and larry campbell were working on a song. Levons idea of writing really wasn't writing but rather commenting. Larry left it up to the viewer to decide. I decided Larry wrote the song. The Band made alot of great music. I dont care for robertson as a person after reading his book but that has nothing to do w his great skills as a songwriter (ill have to look at my previous comment)

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@NJcruiser i still stand by calling it robbie robertson and the band. The guy has a huge ego. Read his book Testimony

[@seanparker7415]

The Band were a great collaboration of fine musicians but RR wrote or co-wrote the music. Time for the haters to get over it, he is a really fine song writer and The Band would have remained a backing group if it weren't for his writing.

[@aaronduke8436]

They would have stayed a backing band if not for Levons voice. They all needed each other. He could have spread the wealth a little more.

[@k4847]

AS evident by the band SUCKING big time After Robbertson left to do other projects