The Band - Atlantic City - 1994

From "The Road" TV series (1995), shot 8/5/94 in Rockford, IL
The Band:
Levon Helm - vocals, drums
Rick Danko - vocals, bass
Garth Hudson - keyboards, accordion
Jim Weider - guitar
Richard Bell - keyboards, vocals
Randy Ciarlante - drums vocals
The Horn Section:
Joe Mulherin - trumpet
David Woodford - tenor sax
Joe Sublett - tenor sax
Garrett Adkins - trombone
Howard Johnson - tuba, baritone sax
Video (c) 1995 by High Five Entertainment, Tribune Entertainment
Song written by Bruce Springsteen

[@kevinwelsh2255]

One of the best covers of any song, by any band. Ever. I am a huge Springsteen fan and love the original but The Band have taken a song full of despair and fear and turned into one of hope. I love it.

[@roseybagel]

I have been saying exactly the same thing for years.

[@l.d.crawford4044]

I'm not a Springsteen fan but The Band made this into something special. Garth Hudson... you got to love him.

[@l.d.crawford4044]

The Band smoked this song it's awesome.

[@crunchb3rry]

Yeah, it's a drastic change to the same song. Same as Bruce playing Because The Night, then Patti Smith playing it, and then 10,000 Maniacs playing it. That's one of my alltime favorite songs because it works every which way you want to tackle it.

[@jamesianp]

I just discovered this song. It is one of the most "Band" songs I've ever heard - it's like Bruce wrote it with them in mind - lyrically . . . Levon just kills it with his delivery, and Richard is right there.

[@thundercat2320]

Levon’s voice was the heart and soul of The Band

[@WatersAbove77]

Been playing this song on repeat for the last few days. Probably one of the greatest songs most people haven’t heard of.

[@Oh_I_Will]

No….only YOU hadn’t heard it before….

[@GammaNu955]

love this .. ❤🎉

[@GammaNu955]

@@Oh_I_Will think he had .. that was the point.

[@TheSundanceKid71]

This is the first time I've heard it to, and i thought for sure it was their song.

[@bryanmannoia8410]

you too, huh? infectious for sure.

[@jameslahey6358]

Imagine calling your band “the band” and actually being one of the greatest groups ever.

[@wallace758]

Perfect comment.

[@melissamoore6686]

F' yeah.

[@razielvonwaig7572]

They were the Band because they started off as Bob Dylan’s band.

[@jameslahey6358]

@@razielvonwaig7572 is that true? I knew they played together but I didn’t know that’s how they started.

[@OzarkTroutBum]

@@jameslahey6358 100% true. September 1965 through May 1966. Dylan basically poached them from Ronnie Hawkins

[@zacharybell9782]

I come back to this song every now and then. My Dad passed a few years back and hearing this makes me feel like he is with me. Love you, miss you.

[@Glenechocreek]

Damn, that was good. Levon could sing the phone book, and it would still beat most anything to hell.

[@DanielC__]

Levons voice is amazingly unique. A great earthy tone easily identifiable as him and him only. Garths a musical virtuoso. Dude just flat out plays. Love this version and I’m a big Springsteen fan. My guess is Bruce loves this.

[@douglippay1407]

Bruce set up the E Street band line up based on the Band. He was inspired by the two keyboard approach.

[@BassPlyr23]

Bruce has stated that the Band made this song their own.

[@Pasha13]

Garth Hudson is a genius...if I could play even a tenth as good as him, I'd die a happy musician. God love that man.

[@flyingfishsurf]

"...everything dies, baby, that's a fact. maybe everything that dies, someday, comes back." I hope that's true. Levon could get to the root of a song like very few can. Until that 'someday' comes, you will be greatly missed. Absolutely my favorite Springsteen song. Traditional American music at its best.

[@madeleinehague648]

Wonderful musicians...but Garth Hudson...that man is on another planet. He is just a genius.

[@bjm8238]

All of them. Just so much greatness on that stage. RIP gentlemen. I love Danko’s vibe. Levon, I can’t even get the words together...

[@l.d.crawford4044]

Who else could rock an accordion but Garth! Awesome talent.

[@mongoardath1]

I saw this incarnation of The Band when they played an outdoor show in St. Louis. After the show, Levon hung around to sign autographs. I have never seen a smile on someone's face like I saw on his. He was so appreciative and tickled that so many people came out and he stayed for a long time after. RIP, son.

[@kingoftomatoes]

this is the only cover of any song you ever have to hear again

[@abbgt]

This is the absolutely definitive performance of this classic (including Bruce's Nebraska original, E Street live versions and The Band studio version). Everything works and the horns are perfectly arranged. Sublime harmonies.

[@Edinwildlifetog]

Levon...Rick... Richard... sorely missed. RIP guys. Tuuuuune!!!

[@wallace758]

What you see here... is the potential of the mind that we can all exhume. Pure Passion and love for the music and fans. Sadly lost today. Thank you Levon, Rick and Garth and the rest of the musicians in this performance for your passion!

[@suppdanicali]

Whenever I'm sad, this song just seems to help somehow. I don't know what it is, but something about this makes everything better :)

[@wallace758]

It’s Levon’s passion!

[@acdctrucklover]

It give us hope. HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

[@tulliotk1]

Bruce's lyrics just seem to flow just right when sung with that Arkansas twang.

[@zacharybell9782]

This is the song that really reminds me of my dad. Thank you to The Band and Bruce.

[@havingfun1968]

I love Springsteen and Always loved this song being from Jersey... Never knew THE BAND did a copy of this. I just heard this, and I have CHILLS... THIS IS TEN TIMES BETTER THEN BRUCE... It has passion and flavor like nothing else.

[@acabea]

Shivers down the spine, RIP Levon Helm.

[@carymatthews3199]

I got to see these guys in the twin cities that year and it's something that maybe matched but NEVER for me anything BETTER they were AMAZING

[@plentinough7222]

Wow, how lucky to have been able to see The Late, Great Levon Helm at this time. I'm wellin' up with tears for what we had.

[@rustyshackleford9963]

I wish I could've seen these guys live in my lifetime. RIP Levon Helm

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

Love this version the most especially with the horn section

[@verbumsapientisatest]

the band and levon make me feel like i was born somwhere in that land that we lost in 1774, my blood must run somwhere in those thirteen states that gave birth to a great nation, cousins and brethren joined in the past and kept togrther by the music of the present

[@ludwighaas8445]

We will never see in our life musicians like this again (excuse my bad english)

[@gogogadgetspoon]

My mother died because of cancer just under a month ago, and the night she died I had The Last Waltz playing in her room, followed by Leonard Cohen Live. She died during the last song or two on the CD.

[@BassPlyr23]

It was my great honor to sing this song with the Weight Band at Levon’s Barn in August 2017 as part of Camp Cripple Creek.

[@derrickmurphy6040]

What a legend he was .truly an amazing artist right til the end when he was sick he still got up on the stage to perform .

[@uradragon]

Brought tears to my eyes. I know you all have work to do elsewhere but I still miss you. thanks for the music.

[@Walsh1502]

The Band was simply one of a kind.

[@ignatiusjk]

An excellent cover is when you think it's there song not somebody else's. If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a The Band original.

[@medljoc]

A great version of a great song . My favourite cover version ever !

[@roseybagel]

Same

[@peskypossum58]

RIP Levon. So sad that only two members of The Band are still with us.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Now only one as of August 9, 2023: Garth Hudson.

[@hershysquirts187]

Bruce has to love this.

[@grodanperson]

I think Bruce felt very honored :)

[@greatunz67]

24 deaf people with the thumbs down. even if you're a springsteen fan more than a band fan you can't deny this is by far the best version of it

[@gma19511]

I like The Band but can't stand Bruce Springsteen.

[@rraino]

This is great, and may well be better than Bruce's original. But he also reworks the song to great effect on Live in Dublin, perhaps even influenced by the Band's version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5K0mIiVgN2YocU

[@jmiller583]

No way. This can’t touch Bruce’s version in a million years.

[@sheareracuna896]

This is the best version. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnZeWdnbd9pn6s But this one is beautiful too. They can both be great, they're almost like different songs.

[@paulkype]

I saw this tour in a small theater, it's still the best live music experience I ever had

[@activistmalpractice]

Me, too, in upstate New York as a teenager. There was a roadie who I thought looked like Robbie Robertson, and I asked my friend if that might be him and he was like, yeah, Robbie Robertson is now the Band's roadie.

[@gunn13fan]

The best song I know of by far!

[@Takac1979]

Bruce wrote it but Levon owns it.

[@fsubones]

I was today years old when I found out Levon plays guitar…damn that guy was cool as hell.

[@grahamlees6152]

Why am I just discovering this. One of my favourite Bruce songs, and probably the only occasion where a band has covered one of his songs better!

[@s.kasbashian9969]

This is some Awesome S%!@, nothing like it! Luv how Levon is playing the string insrument while sitting behind his drums.

[@DeuteriumLicious]

I wish Levon knew I was still listening in 2021

[@drewbonsall384]

As a kid i remember this All happen watching the 6 pm news with my dad being from pa even as kids we knew mr scarfo was boss

[@davidjohnston6567]

Only a select few can pull off a Springsteen cover and add to it !!👏👏

[@sugarjohnson7402]

What a great song, just heard of this a few days ago....Levon....Sip N Pour

[@GooseMcSwan]

Brought a tear to my eye! Beautiful!

[@troubdrgrl]

Fantastic version, great song. Love Levon, Love The Band, love this song by Bruce.

[@mikesworld1921]

Perfection.

[@robyncoy7973]

I’m not sure why but I have to play this anytime I’m on a road trip at night so haunting ❤️❤️

[@Pasha13]

One of my musical heroes.

[@amv4m1]

Southern Ontario's Greatest Heroes, with their best buddy Levon. Life is good, music is beautiful.

[@GammaNu955]

Just discovered this.. amazing

[@blackknife1]

Bittersweet is the only way I can describe how this song and video make me feel. I was fortunate to be alive when the Band and all it’s original members were alive and thriving. Now only Garth is alive with Robbie just passing away. 😢🥺

[@chrisschaede3135]

20 years before Mumford and Sons. They were always so far ahead of their time. God bless the Band.

[@JimRichmond44]

R.I.P. Levon and Rick. The best Band.

[@MrForddent]

Great, great version of Atlantic city! RIP Levon.

[@fredericvillalongue4102]

impossible to don't love these voices.

[@vwhummer]

gorgeous song

[@g5pigott]

Levon Helm knew things about the universe we will never understand.

[@marctim9722]

gee thats sweet music......

[@mozfonky]

took a song with groove and gave it so much more.

[@08shortstop]

Great stuff!! ... God bless Levon and Rick ... Garth too!

[@MaryGerdt]

Beautiful.

[@rushwb]

Love you Levon....see you in the next life

[@roseybagel]

Best cover ever

[@garysteinert8040]

This is a class act, number one talent.

[@Chrisamos412]

Levon was such a classy guy, loved these guys!

[@l.d.crawford4044]

So much talent!

[@blacksugareyes]

RIP Levon. I love this version. I love Bruce and Levon.

[@user-tr3kf9hs6g]

Miss Levon, Cooper, & Dick Clark they all died within a day a part from ea other #2012 it was a Rough wk & yr... Miss All 3 of em...

[@marvclossman944]

I also have cancer and my wish to my wife is that I be buried with the CD to the Last Waltz....I will visit Levon's grave as I am only 2 hours from Woodstock....until we meet my dear Levon

[@jimsmith2837]

I can't help but think that this is what Bruce had in mind when he wrote it.

[@jamesianp]

Levon and Richard - those vocals . . . damn.

[@joemulherin7419]

Drummer Randy Ciarlante and pianist, the late Richard Bell, are also singing backup here. Rick's singing the high part.

[@schmici83]

Outstanding!!! :O Simply great

[@mesk412]

How could anyone give this a "thumbs down"?

[@taylorbacigalupo7610]

11 people are assholes haha

[@IgoOutlateAtnight]

No smoke, strobe lights, autotunes, lasers....just a bunch of dudes that know how to play and sing...music these days doesn't hold a candle to this stuff...

[@activistmalpractice]

Helm finally grew into his old man voice.

[@Oh_I_Will]

Never!!!

[@ljc900]

That's a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back. Love this man.

[@ryanbrown3604]

Absolutely love this song.

[@fredericvillalongue4102]

magnifique ! ! !

[@aaronmac1990]

Do your best to always keep this video on youtube. Absolutely amazing.

[@richardjames4586]

Imagine being at this concert. Holy shit

[@budibausto]

I would cut my left ball to have Bruce and the E Street Band with Rick Danko playing "The Night they drove old dixie down" Pleeeeeeese!!!

[@DrummerDanny]

Thanks, Levon.

[@RebelRob34]

Great song

[@trumsolon]

I love the original, and I love this one!

[@fatbikebmx1715]

Could this be any better? No it could not!

[@briansmith1967]

+FatBike BMX so true

[@jerryskid1]

This is inspiring Levon. Hopefully Bruce will play this in your honor on the current tour.

[@50jgold]

thank you very much

[@pogues2300]

much like the way Johnny Cash covers tended to make it a johnny Cash song, i feel this is Levons.

[@thestormlscoming]

Agreed

[@josephguertin311]

So good

[@mightydancemom]

Well done. RIP my friend.

[@schymark9945]

GREAT SONG

[@Mrfrietske]

Both versions are beautiful

[@MultiPetercool]

Garth Hudson is the keyboard GOAT!

[@dev93l]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@montralane1393]

Love this !!!!!!!!!

[@BrotherBadSeed]

I'm so, so sad right now. God bless you Levon!

[@davidbrennan3613]

Absolutely brilliant