Robbie Robertson on his documentary Once Were Brothers

[@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.

[@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

[@martinnoelrobert8022]

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

[@intrepid199]

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

[@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

[@tomgebarowski8156]

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

[@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.

[@dsalerno4980]

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

[@jjd4034]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@cynthialangley7338]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@createone100]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@patriciasmith9740]

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

[@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!

[@smokinjoe45]

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

[@drakensberg.multimedia]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@KendallLindsey]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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".

[@greglarry11]

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

[@matteougolini6753]

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

[@k4847]

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

[@joannehack7588]

Miss you Robbie

[@dar44445]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@sarahsosa729]

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

[@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

[@at_brunch3836]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@adamtzsch]

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

[@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.

[@peek-a-moose2491]

Excellent and hobnest interview.

[@navasaband]

Pure unadulterated LEGEND.

[@Caperhere]

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

[@c.w.b.5409]

RIP angel your music will always be shared

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@geekay1349]

thanks for the memories (ala Bob Hope)

[@Braglemaster123]

Excellent

[@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?

[@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

[@guybeauregard]

Robbie is friggen brilliant. RIP.

[@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

[@charlesgarnhum6963]

R.I.P. 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.

[@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

[@PaulaJoW]

His recounting is very measured.

[@saulstar5203]

Luv Robbie

[@pbtoutant]

Tumbleweed Connection is such a great album.

[@kevinjoseph517]

?????

[@pbtoutant]

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

[@kieselsteinchen9795]

what are the earphones phones for?

[@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.

[@wrongwayranger684]

Why isn’t Garth Hudson in the movie?

[@wrongwayranger684]

Sheryl Wilson no he’s not interviewed

[@brötzmannsax]

@@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]

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

[@k4847]

There was NO ROOM for Garth's GIANT head

[@tyrapp262]

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

[@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?

[@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

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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.

[@kevinjoseph517]

ronnie hawk and maude hudson died recently.

[@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.

[@jon-nolanacousticsingerson9920]

Safe Journey brother!

[@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.

[@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.

[@lorenneufeld4306]

I'd like to know what Garth Hudson's take is on this doc! Seeing as the other Band members have passed on, so RR can damn near say and interpret it the way he wants and remembers those times. His level of empathy can be questionable, imo. Just saying cuz he seems to be self-centred at times, you know. He alludes to the fact in this interview, that he would rather 'move on' than relive all these stories, so why the doc then Robbie, 'cash grab' or what? So this then is the final say about The Band from RR, it seems that he's done with all this, so be it cuz he's the only one one now who can talk about this period in time...Remembering Levon, Rick and Richard... Love The Band Music!

[@Peter7966]

To some degree it's like Paul McCartney remembering the Beatles. Yes, Ringo is around, but Paul like Robbie was a creative lead, with John Lennon of course. So now we get mostly Paul's take. It would be great to hear the other Band members perspective. Sadly, it ain't going to happen. They sure made some magic together.

[@dar44445]

@@Peter7966 #Magic Most Definitely !!!

[@WTCmovie]

It's Robbie's pov. There's no disputing drugs and alcohol had a big impact on them. It effected them all in various, personal ways. Keeping a band together is a very delicate and very difficult thing. It's a miracle they survive. My take of course, but musicians and artists are sensitive people. That's why they can create the things they do - they see deeply, and for a lot of them, drugs and alcohol are part of the lifestyle. For others there's a need to dull the senses.

[@Stephanjnj]

Garth is in poor health and by most accounts reclusive these days. Hopefully he'll be able to take in the finished product and weigh in.

[@careym3901]

Garth was always in Robbies corner, and Levons for that matter. Just when Levon got all twisted with hate it was hard to take. At the Hall of fame induction Garth thanked RR personally. Go look it up on youtube

[@donniemoder1466]

He old here, in his voice. But still had the good hair.

[@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

[@chestnutjuice]

As much as I respect him as a member of The Band and as a musician, kinda makes me sick seeing him getting credit for everything The Band was. If he actually wrote most of the songs (it looks like it), it doesn't necessarily mean he fully made them. Building a song is way more than just writing and creating the idea, although it is true there is no song without a germ. Anyway, I miss hearing him giving his former bandmates the credit they deserve, which is a lot. It's a shame three of em are gone, and Garth seems to be a really intelligent and discrete man who wants to be far from the spotlight. We probably will never know the truth about what happened there, but to me is not "Robbie Robertson and The Band" but "The Band and the other guy".

[@k4847]

You just like DEAD levon was are Jealous. If what RR did was so EZ why didn't the other band members write also they were band member's too after all HUH? They were too stoned on Heroin to write or too busy sleepin RR was the only one who was not too stoned to write. So dont tell me RR dosent deserve the credit he got...

[@adamtzsch]

@@k4847 In English, please.

[@tyrapp262]

It was arrangement with the others. At that time arrangement was not considered songwriting. Anyway they did receive equal publishing royalties for his songs. Why do people seemingly deliberately seem to miss that?

[@vintagelife6879]

love robbi but what a great host!

[@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.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

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

[@maximusmillion744]

I love Robbie

[@donovankelly1966]

Robbie stole writing credit/publishing rights from the rest of the Band . That's the reason guys like Levon Helm never had anything to do him ever again . Do you really think a guy from Ontario wrote 'The night they drove old Dixie down'?

[@terrywatt4387]

Right on Kd ,I have Levons book This Wheels on Fire great reading from the MAN.Levon was one cool cat.

[@bird401]

My two cents on the songwriting credits and The Band: since I wasn’t there, of course I do not KNOW. However, it appears that Levon, a fine musician if there is such a thing, was simply not a songwriter. Why? Because one looks in vain for songs credited to him on his solo records or on post-Robertson Band records. One or two co-writes. I suspect that he thought that since he and his mates gave first life to those songs, they should have had a bigger share of the pie. And some bands roll that way, the better to keep the peace. But Robbie probably brought in the lyrics and the melody. Probably. And if he did, he could claim them as his. As to Kd Ruckman’s question about whether a Canadian could write a song about the civil war, I’d say no it weren’t for Bernie Taupin and all those Americana songs. (See Tumbleweed Connection)

[@EastmanD]

@@bird401 right David. The MAN at first was Ronnie Hawkins and even when Robbie FIRST joined his group, the rest of the guys had been there. But did Ronnie take Levon or Richard or Rick up to the publisher ? No, he took Robbie cause even when he was practically a boy Hawkins could still see the songwriter of the group was Robbie. People don't like it when a member of their favorite band grows faster than the rest of the group and starts doing his own thing. Robbie Robertson, John Lennon, Peter Gabriel...the list goes on and on, of folks who eventually part ways because they grow as an artist faster than the rest of the group.

[@regbloor5762]

Dont build a conspiracy. Levon sang and helped research but didnt write music or lyrics.

[@gerrydooley951]

@@EastmanD I think there is a lot of creative input in all bands and especially this group. When you're recording a song, members can add to a song lyrically and musically. You add drugs and drink to that and some people may feel that they deserve more credit and some may think they deserve no credit.

[@cathypreston1095]

Our Canadian Hero

[@ILikeStyx]

RIP Jaime Royal Robertson

[@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.

[@terjemork112]

the king:)

[@tomadams5582]

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

[@ScottyPeabody]

The interviewer is obviously great at his craft but when you attempt to assert he wrote an anthem based on how he might've seen America I almost fell outta my chair. I'd recommend you go back and look at 1970 as the war America HATED to see for yourself the gigantic rift between the multiple cultures we endured. If you think the divide now is huge, imagine the devastation of the Kent State shootings and the massive protests. I don't know of a single person who lived thru it who'd believe there was some kind of a mass romanticism involved in the music. It did come a few years later, but honestly, and respectfully it's insulting.

[@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 😆😆🤣🤣

[@iseeshadowseverywhere5992]

If the Ringo dies...Paul will call the band: Paul McCartney and The Beatles.

[@brötzmannsax]

Paul McCartney died in 1966, read the Plastic Macca the Replacement of Paul McCartney and The Life and Death of Paul McCartney 1942-1966 as well as The Memoirs of Billy Shears and learn phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust.

[@CatmanBill]

No. It would need to be called Paul John and the Beatles.

[@k4847]

What do you mean IF he dies? What is Ringo is Never gonna Die and is immortal????

[@JeffaHensley]

Hardly, he’s made it clear, on several occasions, that he always thought that the Beatles were ALL four of them.

[@RICKRATT1]

Robbie’s post The Band work doesn’t compare to anything he did with previously. He doesn’t give his former band mates enough credit for the music they made. No doubt Robbie was a very talented artist, but he cut his brothers out of the publishing money and left them hanging.

[@peterrobertson2580]

Prove it ... do you actually have the facts that no one else seems to have? This was a revolutionary band, and unlike almost every other band, they each brought a critical element to the mix. There is story about Richard Manuel being unable to play one night when they were touring. Without him, the others felt lost. The comment that Robbie’s post Band work was poor (which I totally disagree with) … well, tell me what The Band’s post Robbie work was like, and don’t even try to make the case that it was even close in quality. We were blessed to have these guys … their material was unique and stands up amazingly well almost 50 years later. Let’s stop judging and criticizing when none of us where there or have any of the facts. They were perfectly named … it was always about them collectively. This untethered speculation just detracts from their legacy.

[@RICKRATT1]

@@peterrobertson2580 Well, name one hit album or song that compares with anything he did with The Band. Read “ This Wheels On Fire” by Levon, see what he has to say about that. He was there, you weren’t.

[@peterrobertson2580]

@@RICKRATT1 ok ... how about “Broken Arrow” - big hit for Rod Stewart or a host of other songs from the 1987 album “Robbie Robertson” like “Fallen Angel”, “Somewhere Down the Crazy River” Showdown At Big Sky”, or “American Roulette”. That album was top ten on Billboard’s Critics Choice in ‘87 and was #77 on Rolling Stones Top 100 albums of the Eighties. It was nominated for a Grammy. Enough? All of those songs stand up. There are a handful of Band songs that I prefer, but Fallen Angel and Broken Arrow are top drawer compositions. They could have bumped songs off any Band album. Then there’s Storyville where I would say “What About Now”, “Testimony” and “Hold Back The Dawn” are absolutely consistent with Band Quality. “What About Now” peaked at #15 on Billboard. There’s more, but I’ve made my point. If you have an axe to grind with Robbie, just call it out but don’t try to throw shade on his songwriting ... the man has a gift. And don’t cite Levon like he didn’t have a bone to pick. He was an addict with a big time problem. It almost cost him everything. That’s a fact. That book is so bitter, spiteful and lacking in objectivity that I can’t believe you’d even accept that. Everybody knows how bitter Levon was. Levon was there ... but so was Robbie, wasn’t he? Why don’t you just accept everything Robbie says? You also neglected to explain why Levon couldn’t write a song after splitting with the Band ... pretty curious for a guy who claims to have earned songwriting credits, don’t you think? Both Lennon and McCartney went on to write some great stuff, probably none of it as good as the Beatles best work, but still great. How do you explain Levon’s complete lack of composition output? You know, I would never challenge Levon’s musicality. There wouldn’t have been a Band without Levon or Robbie. Dirt Farmer and Electric Dirt were exceptional albums and deserved every award they won. I don’t understand why people can’t accept these guys for the gifts they had and the musical legacy they produced both together and apart.

[@RICKRATT1]

@@peterrobertson2580 It’s just my opinion based on very disappointing albums Robbie put out after the breakup. I’m a Robertson fan, just didn’t like his solo stuff. You need to deal with your anger issues and calm down. After all, it’s just entertainment.

[@peterrobertson2580]

@@RICKRATT1 Sorry you didn’t like those albums - I truly am, as I loved them ... even the Native American material - but your point was that he never wrote to the same standard or enjoyed commercial success. Maybe the first point is subjective but to say he didn’t enjoy commercial or critical success is just not factual. And I’m not angry, dude ... I feel sorry for people who miss the point of the Band. They were a true unit - not five guys doing their thing. Perhaps the greatest ensemble created in modern music. No on knows what really happened between them ... we should just be thankful for what they left us.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Robbie was always a great self promoter and maybe a bit of a snake oil salesman, but he was one hell of a songwriter and band leader. I believe it’s easy to paint him in a bad light, considering how things turned out for the others. But it’s simply just not fair. Levon’s “autobiography” fanned the flames of dissension, but a lot of that book was totally false. Levon backpedaled when pressed about the stories in it. It came out in a bad time when he needed some money.

[@namcat53]

The kid doing the interview seems too unaware of the history, context and meaning of The Band's songs. Sometimes you have to be alive, old enough and aware at the time of the song's first release to fully appreciate and "get" it.