The Band - The Making of "Rockin' Chair" & Commentary On Vocals

Breaking apart of the The Band's wonderful classic, "Rockin' Chair". Features commentary on vocals from author Barney Hoskyns, lyricist Bernie Taupin, George Harrison and detail on the group's style from Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm with John Simon. It's amazing how high Richard can hit on the chorus' notes, the absolutely superhuman range he had was never this clear on any of the original vinyls OR remasters. It's an awesome clip just for that!
From Eagle Rock Entertainment's "Classic Albums: The Band". It's like 12 bucks on Amazon, go buy it if you like this. It's amazingly well done and there's more than just the brown album covered on it.

[@MartialDriscoll]

I never tire of hearing these guys talk about Richard.

[@danielmeagher8939]

MartialDriscoll do you know what documentary this was from?

[@smujiodome]

Daniel Meagher ‘classic albums’ UK tv show.

[@patrickmurphy1803]

Great band,but robbie wrote the songs and that's a fact

[@rsands9]

He was so good!

[@MrMusicVoid]

Levon making sure Manuel gets recognized is true friendship, what a class act and incredible southern gent he was. RIP Levon, Danko, Manuel, Robbie

[@lukejones0826]

RIP to Robbie as well

[@gordonm4298]

This video is so emotional with Levon talking about Richard's beautiful voice; but I crack up at the end when Levon asks why they went with that "Chinese ending". Love 'em

[@yaelleinthesky100]

His laugh ❤

[@Elaboratory]

...and John Simon says, "I don't know, but it seemed a good idea at the time."

[@TheJimByrd]

This is truly beautiful - the love that radiates from Levon as he talks about Richard. Truly heart warming.

[@CP5699]

I absolutely love this clip. Levon is seemingly transfixed by Richard's soulful voice and his beautiful falsetto. He almost seems to be having a spiritual experience. So very cool. Richard was so talented, as were they all. Levon was one of the greatest drummer, singers, multi-instrumentalists, AND storytellers ever. Rest in peace, sir.

[@clintonslayton4512]

I wish I could watch these without crying.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

Same. I come back to these clips every year and cry every time.

[@woodbell67]

5:18 "me too" - Levon's voice when he says that... says everything

[@SoulShines4Music]

God Levon Helm was such a stand up guy. After Manuel's untimely death Levon never stopped talking about his best friend and was always promoting and making sure Richard was remembered for the genius he was. BTW - Richard Manuel is definitely singing the falsetto in this song. Like another person mentioned, it was always Manuel who sang the high notes and did so beautifully.

[@alexmcgillivray9781]

True story. He loved Richard deeply.

[@imannonymous7707]

Im almost crying watching this....i never get like this....thats what good art does..it evokes emotion

[@timsydlowski5208]

LYacky1 his falsetto on Tears of Rage gives me Goose bumps and Dylan said “ ain’t nobody sing this song better then Richard Manuel. Always laugh when someone today on pop stations is said to be a good musician but don’t play any instruments. These guys were multi instrumentalists each and had to chuckle when someone puts them in that category. Each it’s own I guess but there is no comparison. At the height of psychedelic rock Clapton named the Band as his favorite artist/ act. Their peers respected them then and now.

[@craigflagle1546]

Tim Sydlowski z22

[@timsydlowski5208]

craig flagle ?

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

What a song! I'm now 67, and I'm believe old rockin' chair's got me...

[@stanj9886]

I wore the Brown album out. Rocking Chair was probably my favorite song and King Harvest has Surely Come another. Both lead vocals by Richard. So much soul to his voice.

[@johnvadenais472]

Every Song is Superlative. Best album ever.

[@wgb01001]

Jawbone is so good, too

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yep I had to retire it...too good. Can barely listen to it. I had a relationship with that Brown lp and well it was time to rest it. Flows like a river.

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

If my dad did anything right in his life, it was making me a die-hard fan of The Band.

[@joelwexler]

I have 3 copies, just got the box set. It's 53 years that I don't go a couple days without listening to it or the others.

[@teresagaskins9212]

I love how much Levon loves Richard. When he talks about Rick and Garth too. It's so cute.

[@filled_soda]

"How did we come up with a Chinese ending?" 😂👌🏻

[@imannonymous7707]

Knowing the folklore ..wasnt it fascinating watching levon going back. You can see the miles in his face and the memories flooding over him....rip levon richard and rick. we love ya

[@rockers7889]

George Harrison basically had my first opinion of the Band. I knew I liked the music alot. During the time I had been a Dylan fan for over 5 years. Then I noticed the different voices as Levon says that tie it all together. I really miss George Harrison. I just had him pegged as a Beatle, like they promoted him. Now all these interviews are coming out, showing how they knew each other and respected each others songs. So much more still to explore when something new becomes available to the listeners

[@robertbruce6865]

I’ve been a fan of George for a half century. He started as the “little brother”, and at the end of the Beatles was writing better than John and Paul. A brilliant talent and a good man. I got into The Band a little later on. They are my favorite group, and Richard is my all time favorite male vocalist. The fact that George was a fan too gives me a small measure of satisfaction and comfort at their passings. Garth is my favorite musician. What an absolutely brilliant talent.

[@busenitzsucks]

"I love this part." "Me too"

[@robertgronewold7474]

me too

[@user-bn3zo3mh5v]

Me three!

[@Karmakatt6]

I watched this documentary a million times and just caught that.. 😳 Oh well, at least I got it. Better late than never.. (5:14+)

[@hodgeknobbler9848]

That made me smile.

[@BijouxFandango]

How perfect to watch this today as we honor and mourn for Levon.

[@robertrasmussen6879]

My favorite band! Miss you Levon!!

[@MrGreglarry]

Any band would kill to have Richard, Levon or Rick singing in their group ... any one of them! What a magical sound.

[@mightymartianca]

Damn, but Richard Manuel's falsetto is like something from another planet.

[@imannonymous7707]

Tru dat.... the bands secret weapon... the piano playin drummer that sang like an angel in 3 octaves

[@ryancassavaugh8692]

So was Rick's.

[@eljaiko555]

It is like some Carl Wilson level vocal beauty

[@user-bn3zo3mh5v]

@@eljaiko555 I have thought the exact same thing before! The Band was their own Wall of Sound.

[@micklatham8494]

I love how he could just slam up into a falsetto in the middle of the word "sound" at 5:27

[@hershysquirts187]

Levon was one hell of a man. Rest in peace brother.

[@imannonymous7707]

Amen

[@s.greasey7654]

Mother of Lord do I love these guys! I can’t get enough of them. I literally listen to their music every day and I don’t ever get tired of it.

[@rickstacy7459]

man, what a great song...and to hear the legendary Levon Helms speak on it is absolutely captivating. one of my favorite songs of all time. thanks.

[@TheHeroicDoses]

this might be the coolest fucking thing ive ever seen

[@thomasmartinscott]

EVERY voice was unique and EVERY Song was just as unique! NO ONE had EVER sounded like them before, and NO ONE has EVER sounded like them since! I DEEPLY liked everything I ever heard them do!

[@Voodoochil111111]

"I love this part here" "Me too" Perfect.

[@musicofanatic]

It's beautiful! Listen to the commentary by these two on the anniversary edition Last Waltz options. Priceless!

[@Argotero]

best band ever....with time is gettin better and better...

[@CryptoGrizzly710]

exactly by far

[@joelwexler]

53 years of marinating, they're as good as ever. There's quality remixes on youtube that are free and great.

[@inatizzy2]

Gives me goose bumps! Love, love love THE BAND! Richard is wonderful as is Danko And Levon. My fav. singers for sure and gone waaay too soon.What a reunion must be going on in heaven right now!

[@fuchsiaswing8545]

It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch this clip.

[@theshrubberer]

I think I have rewatched this and shared it with friends more than any other. it's captivating

[@yeslets6049]

Amazing band with three amazing singers.

[@williamking1766]

I never appreciate a song so much till hear the background behind it, or how it was made. This is masterful.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

So true, what Barney Hoskyns says about how groups rarely have such an overabundance of talent. The perennially overlooked, Little Feat is another...

[@billalbritton4972]

Little Feat,what does it take to get a mention from HOF. 🙄

[@inatizzy2]

My Brother. 10 yrs older than me, turned me on to "The Band" I was 13, loved music and here I am again, love music! I went to see my Bro, has Melanoma that has spread through Every thing.. WE got to sing together " The Night They Drive Old Dixie down I wish some of my Family coulda and woulda Got that on Vid. I had the camera but ... No-one would take the time to do it. SUCKS! Going to see him tomorrow.

[@bwprag123]

Might be my favorite clip on all of KZbin.

[@theshrubberer]

mine too...all gold

[@Alanoffer]

You hear Levon talking about what a joint effort these songs were even though Robbie wrote the body of the song it’s difficult not to ask how Robbie was able to sideline the others . But having been in the music business for forty years nothing surprises me . Putting that aside that the brown band album is one of my top five favorite records if not No 1 album

[@kevingrady8736]

Levon was talking about the arrangement of the song and he was right. But Robbie wrote the song. There's a big difference.

[@matthewehritz3544]

All of em some of my favorite musicians, some of my favorite singers, but Richard blew me away

[@gringosloth]

The Band is, without question, my favorite transcendental band. They just grabbed what I was thinking and dumped it into the garbage. And of course what we thought of as the imporance of our listening suddenly jumped through two or three levels.

[@rotsa1]

RIP Levon Helm. You shall be greatly missed by all who love great music.

[@rivereuphrates8103]

Richard always tried to pierce heaven with his voice. His whole life was a song. I wish it'd had had a happier ending. I love all of these guys, but Richard particularly had a special kind of pathos to his work and very existence. You just want to give him a big hug. There's a lot of hurt in his voice. Where Danko was frenetic and warbly, Levon was forceful and world-weary, Richard's voice was just a soul bearing the weight of the world on its shoulders and trying to find release. RIP to them all. We should treasure Garth while we can.

[@filled_soda]

Rockin' Chair is so so beautiful

[@keyedwriter1]

A superlative mellowing of fingers tickling my ears. Listened to it over and over to hear all the voices separately. Really cool to float along with. Good pick, Mike, thanks for sending.

[@jamesa6272]

True love right there. True love for Richard

[@Staylogical]

Richard sings,and wrote ,almost all of my favorite Band songs.This one,Tears of Rage,and then there's Whispering Pines,one of the best songs ever sung by the hurt human being who wrote it.

[@imannonymous7707]

His voice was all over those records he seemed to slip in n out he had so much range ....but i agree all great songs you mentioned

[@barakpick]

This one.was written by RR

[@stevewiley8409]

Bob Dylan wrote Tears of Rage

[@Staylogical]

@@stevewiley8409 I've got the album.The song is credited to Dylan/Manuel.Dylan wrote the lyrics,Richard wrote the music.Rick Danko said at the Pink house,they had a typewriter in the living room,and someone would start writing a song,and leave the page in the typewriter for others to add to it.Dylan was at the house a lot,and that's how Rick and Dylan wrote This Wheel's on Fire together.Same with Richard and Tears of Rage.

[@stevewiley8409]

@@Staylogical interesting..tx

[@laurel7570]

Wow. That was great!

[@TorkG8]

The full documentary is awesome and is well worth checking out. It's here in full on KZbin..or on a playlist to itself on my channel if anyone wants to see it, it's great.

[@Aussietari]

Levon was just such a True Sweet, Sweet Man.😌

[@billmoss2877]

This is a landmark presentation.

[@keith1848]

My favourite band, unique, there was nothing like them.

[@matt11784]

back in 1967 or 68 I heard a record called music from big pink. it changed my life and it change the course of American Music. Ladies and Gentlemen....Please welcome.. the BAND.

[@joelwexler]

This is the song that will back the slideshow of my pictures if there's a funeral for me.

[@NickleJ]

Rocking chair has always been one my favorites

[@nickylazer]

Every member was perfect.

[@krisscanlon4051]

You could just listen to Taupin and Harrison religiously go own about the Band...superfans

[@theshrubberer]

i love thus clip so much

[@demetriusribeiro2555]

I would give an arm to have the masters separated of this album

[@RevLowe]

Richard was the angel.

[@janhensley3617]

I miss them so much. 🥲

[@jktunney]

can't help but get goosebumps

[@tobydarling]

Many Thanks for posting this,,,,I had seen the prog from the Classic Albums series years ago, but before getting the album. I just recorded a cover of this song; the timing is very complicated and its hard to do justice to it, but it really is a fantastic song,,,the best on the album for me.

[@oldsagefields]

"I love this part here." "Me too."

[@inatizzy2]

Great record! Big Pank as Levon would pronounce it. ;-)

[@gilbertzimmerman2173]

Beautiful. ❤️

[@JB-pr1jg]

Just wow!

[@barrykarpowich731]

How did you miss miss you were great

[@theonlyrowanahsee]

greatest and most underrated

[@user-hw5ys6ng1l]

That Chinese ending hahahahaha he's so cute!

[@ulisespradosanmartin128]

Uno de los diez grupos más grandes de toda la historia.

[@robertoponce8077]

Para mí el más completo de aquella era

[@jerrymeadows1094]

Don't forget Rick.

[@lukeszklarz9674]

masterful

[@gypsy4460]

Love the band so glad I got / the last waltz

[@MrCrkeenan]

4:06, " Richard "

[@rooty_rootz]

@@CryptoGrizzly710 By 1986 the poor guy's voice was utterly obliterated and his fairy tale was over. I think he just couldn't take it anymore :(

[@demoleramera]

@@rooty_rootz I believe his voice was stronger at the time of his death than during the late 70's. Him stopping drinking in the early 80's really helped it recover (check out some '83 shows for some great Richard vocal power). It might have deteriorated some again by 1986. But yes, he was severly depressed and had also started drinking again. Never a combination you want to find yourself dealing with of course

[@rooty_rootz]

@@demoleramera True those 83 shows he had pulled himself together somewhat

[@shadowknight9807]

Richard was one of my favorite vocalists. Have you heard him sing "Georgia on My Mind"? His is my favorite version of this Ray Charles classic. I've got to say he tops Ray Charles. Almost painful to hear.

[@julesotis13]

ha seeing the top comment i chortle as i was gonna comment ive watched this clip at YTs suggestion many times and seen the entire doc....the one narrated by HArry DEan and of course Scorssesee..and much more about the Band and Robbie's new one...all many times and as i went to click just meow i thought i dont need to see this again but i did...lol...thanks for sharing

[@danocable]

I’m enjoying learning Rick dankos bass lines, a unique player.

[@tredwmiche3442]

These guys were the shit!

[@inatizzy2]

If Im not mistaking, I believe its from THE BAND, Recounting the journey of a legendary music recording. I have the VHS I bought last Christmas from Amazon. And it is a doc for sure.

[@brianquint6126]

Holy shit I forgot George was still alive in 2000.

[@dreamwell2020]

OK, so listen to this song now.

[@491deborah]

I always thought danko sang this. This explains it.

[@musicofanatic]

I used to think Manuel sang the verses of "The Rumor"

[@PhukIT1865]

watching Levon drift away was one of the saddest things in my life. Life

[@lenpey]

Who is the guy at the mixing board with Helm? John Simon?

[@briane1116]

lenpey Yes, it is their producer John Simon

[@lenpey]

Cool! Thanks, Brien E... -L

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yep

[@Ian-ic1ze]

George!

[@agm9818]

Greatest voice there was

[@nickylazer]

Who jacked It up the most.

[@maxkaplanmusic]

please where can i watch the whole documentary

[@watson799]

Ya' know,,for such an "ole timey song " this sure is a wonder! How many songs could you list that have such ahuge huge quality ? I think "The night they drove" Live with that huge brass band from the last waltz is sucha song ,but so many simply don't understand..This may be thier 2nd or 3rd best song ever .. and to be able to say that ..in this context,,is something.. such a wonder ,and such a wonderful gathering of talent..Bob dylan knew he had a great back up band ,who could do whatever he wanted ,,but he never knew that his band was as big as he was

[@whateveritsnoyes]

"Richard.."

[@brettdavis6151]

Is that John Simon on the faders?

[@WowAndle]

was this after Richard's death?

[@inatizzy2]

True. They were very humble with the exception of maybe Robbie later on.

[@AlanStransman]

Good comments.....

[@JBRTelecaster93]

What is Kevin Spacey doing in here?

[@Rogers_Ranger]

Watkins Glen 1973

[@nickylazer]

DIP THAT SNUFF

[@theshrubberer]

where is that video which shows Richard singing from? i want to see the entire song

[@200445peter]

@NeedlesTheSpace - and he was a teamworker

[@PhukIT1865]

and who is this bloke and why am I listening to him?

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

If I was Levon I’d be crying cause I’d be missing his voice so much. But it’s such a tragedy that Richard committed suicide I wonder what else he could’ve done if he didn’t commit suicide rip Richard Levon and Rick.

[@HowCommunicationWorks]

Robbie never sang a note. Watch Levon and ignore Robbie. What a timeless masterpiece of a song. All three singers gone now, and we are so much the poorer. Thank you for these treasures Rick, Levon, and Richard.

[@coockmancoockman9674]

How Communication Works he wrote the songs without him they are nothing

[@HowCommunicationWorks]

Coockman Coockman RR is credited with writing the songs. If you knew much about their history, you’d know that the central dispute in their history is about Robbie stealing the publishing rights from the other guys. Listen to what Robbie wrote when he left the group. It’s utter crap. I think it shows pretty clearly where the creativity was. Also, Robbie couldn’t sing to save his own life. Next to Manuel, Danko, and Helm he was an amateur. His mic wasn’t even on in The Last Waltz.

[@musicofanatic]

I think it is apparent, to any musically informed listener, that Robertson worked the hardest at composition, hugely informed by first-hand exposure to Dylan's process, and that his work is at the basis of the majority of their material. At this remove, I find all of the Robertson bashing by armchair "experts" extremely tiresome. Yes, he was more finely attuned to "the business" side of music and an eager protege of the aggressive prick Grossman. But the three singers were "good-time Charleys", one and all, and, to a certain extent, (pardon the expression) hicks (god love 'em for it!). Robertson was something of a Toronto city slicker. This disparity in career path orientation explains a lot. As to Robertson's post-Band inability to equal his Band-era compositional genius: many creative geniuses shoot their wad before their time is done. Additionally, he lacked his original conspirators. I contend that Robertson never "stole" jackshit; he took what was his, according to a standard, well-established business model. I agree that he could have been a little less heartless about it when his brothers were down and out, and those that believe in karma know he will ultimately get his. Finally, sorry, but the "his mic wasn't even on" type of comments always clearly identify someone who is parroting what they've heard/been told. (no different than "...but, her emails...":). Dig a little deeper and consider your sources...

[@HowCommunicationWorks]

This is a thoughtful reply, and there's a lot here I agree with. It's a generous interpretation of events in Robbie's favor, but no less generous than mine was ungenerous, I suppose. My source for Robbie's mic not being during on The Last Waltz is Levon's autobiography "This Wheel's on Fire." Say what you will about Robbie's taking credit for the compositions, but I don't know any musician or critic who credits Robbie for any part of the Band's vocal magic. That was all Levon, Garth, and Richard. If I'm wrong about this, I'd be happy to learn more. Perhaps you can point me to a reliable source on this point. As to what might be apparent to any musically informed listener, I take issue. Having played guitar for 35 years, transcribed many Band tunes, and performed them in public many times professionally, I suppose I qualify as a musically informed listener. And nowhere do I find the evidence you're referring to, of Robbie being the most observant student of Dylan, the most diligent composer, etc. Again, if you have information to the contrary from someone who was there, I'm always eager to learn more about The Band. I have friends who played with Garth, Levon, and Richard in the post-Band years, and the story they tell is of pure thievery, where the perhaps more sober and savvy Robbie took credit for work which was, at best, the collaborative product of the whole group. Alas, since Garth is the only semi-objective survivor, and he's not offering a definitive opinion, we will probably never know.

[@musicofanatic]

Sorry if I lumped you in with the parrots; by your self-description you are a more musically informed listener than most. Certainly John Simon could provide a highly creditable and objective definitive observation. I am sure you will agree that "vocal magic" generally occurs in the arrangement stage of a song rather than in the compositional. Perhaps it would have been more correct to credit the others; the singers for the vocal arrangement, and all, Hudson most prominently, as musical arrangers. Many "experts" agree that Helm's book is so damned entertaining because of the liberties he exercised in his fanciful interpretation of history. I certainly had a fond affinity for Helm and deep sadness for his financial condition at the end. It would have been nice if Robertson had stepped up and helped out. I too have rubbed elbows with some Band intimates and thus base some of my "authority" on this. We all share one common thing and that is our love for The Band and reverence for their place in the music of the 20th century.

[@carvisaisful]

@matt11784 CLAPTON! AT DYLAN'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY. THAT WAS SECOND BEST LIVE CONCERT EVER, NEXT TO THE LAST WALTZ.!!!

[@johnvoyce]

Richard did not have a superhuman range. He was a baritone who could sing falsetto - not perfectly, but packed with emotion.