The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (REACTION) with my wife

[@hamilton7750]

I'm a yankee through and through, born and raised. I've heard this song hundreds of times. As soon as I hear "He was just 18 proud and brave..." my heart goes right into my throat, every time.

[@eximusic]

Yes, brother had to fight brother because of living on different sides of the boundary (acc. to legend).

[@johnmac62]

Joan Baez doing this song never made a lick of sense to me

[@SuperVonKiller]

Now you have to hear The Band singing The Weight, from this same show, words can't describe how good it is!

[@tonybarnett1158]

Yes! "The Weight" From The Last Waltz.

[@laudanum669]

Yeah, the "Staples Singers" really ad something special on "The Weight".

[@blockmasterscott]

I cannot get over just how passionate he was while singing. He was so emotional in that performance!

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

Robbie Robertson - an absolute legend. I think the Band were vastly underrated by the general public

[@NEKingdom241]

Definitely a super group.

[@DarrellFanning-bx7xz]

Agree but those of us who know,know

[@hannejeppesen1809]

@@Elaine8492 They were not underrated, but considering how superb they were, not enough people know about them.

[@hannegem]

Speaking of the legend - Richard Manuel.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

@@hannegem Then we also have to add Rick Danko. Levon is my least favorite member of The Band, not in term of his singing and drumming, but his bitternes and view of why The Band split up is a turn off.

[@scuppernog1]

The American Civil War showed how divided a country can become. One of the most heart wrenching things was that even a family was so divided that many times two men fought on opposite sides.

[@curtismarsh4528]

612,000 casualties in the American Civil War. More died than all our other wars combined. A real tragedy, in that the deaths were all Americans inflicted on ourselves.

[@tekay44]

it's a very powerful song.

[@markmurphy558]

Levon lived near me late in his life in Woodstock, and had repurposed an old barn as a performance space, and performed for free every third Thursday for whoever showed up from the local community. It was a rotating group of musicians, and Levon's health was not great, but the space put you right on top of the musicians.

[@terri2494]

That must have been special. Plus, anyone who attended a performance could say they went to Woodstock!

[@laudanum669]

@markmurphy558 To say I'm jealous would be a huge understatement. Levon is simply amazing.

[@Quebecoisegal]

Levon always came across as a gentle man, I could hear him speak all day.

[@lees2708]

How fierce can one musician be before igniting and exploding light toward every distance? Rhetorical question.

[@markmurphy558]

This is a classic AMERICAN rock song, fusing elements of blues, gospel, jazz and country music to create a song about the biggest event in American history. I love the British Invasion bands, but to me, this has a richness and fullness of sound, not just guitars and drums. There is an interview in the movie with band members about leaving Canada to go to the "middle" of the USA where all these influences came together to create Rock & Roll.

[@markbroom3746]

Arkansas proud, Levon Helm.

[@jackcotner8981]

Me, too, brother.

[@desichambers7556]

Rick Danko the bass player is a lovely singer too.

[@joelong7448]

Danko's my hero.

[@orchidwave2574]

@@joelong7448 An "aw shucks" sort of ordinary guy who figured out how to be extraordinary. I really miss him and Levon. Every song they played, their hearts were on their sleeves.

[@humpy936]

@@orchidwave2574 Yessss

[@jimmymcintyre7944]

This is from their last concert, The Last Waltz. Hand down the best concert EVER put on film.

[@bartstarr100]

Except The Band went back to touring without Robbie.

[@chitownlee]

They had three lead singers. This was in 1976, it was from their finale concert and it was called The Last Waltz. It was filmed and a movie was released in 1978 and a ton of music superstars played in it.

[@funkmeisterB-5000]

We sure didn't want the Band to say goodbye..but they did it in grand fashion with this show. The drummer got a lot of acting work in the 80's 90's...Still the best singing drummer all time!

[@groujo1]

"Dixie" is a nickname for the American South. So, the chorus is Virgil's complex feelings about the moment they lost the war. Robert E. Lee was their chief general.

[@rayj1011]

A song set in the American Civil War and the singer mentions the "summer of '65" which is 1865. Dixie is the American South and he refers to the northern raid on Richmond VA.

[@edwardhubschman3610]

The drummer, the late Levon Helm, 10:55 was lead vocalist on most of their songs. The lead guitarist, Robbie Robertson, was the main song writer and band leader. A great band, they were first the backup band for Ronnie Hawkins, known as Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. They later became Bob Dylan’s band during the early years of after Bob “went electric”. Bob referred to them as “the band”, and so the name stuck and was adopted after their own recording career began. As for the history, the Civil War was fought over whether slavery, lawful and the foundation of the economy in the southern states, would continue or be ended. It is accepted in America, except by some in the South, that the Union - the North - held the moral high ground. Thanks for another wonderful reaction…..you guys are superb and my favorite reactors!

[@smedleybutler1969]

I live in New York and I don't think Lincoln and Washington held the high moral ground,Slavery was a very small part of the civil war,It would have died out on it's own,It was fought about states right and an overreaching power of the Federal Govt! We are still suffering from that war!

[@rhwinner]

Richard Manual was the main vocalist in the beginning of their career. However due to alcoholism and health, he became less and less a force in the band.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

I wouldn't say most of their songs when both Danko and Manuel both sang on quite a few songs.Helm definitely sang the most songs but The Band had 3 real lead singers.

[@Kairon111161]

@@smedleybutler1969 I love that you love and have named yourself after the great Smedley Butler. But I must say one thing -- while the narrative you bring here definitely has SOME support, in total it is not true. The United States was a nation deeply divided by slavery, from our inception. Even slaveowner Thomas Jefferson wanted an anti-slavery and impliedly abolitionist clause that he had written, kept in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 - but the southern colonies/states walked out of the Continental Congress and he had to strike the clause from the final draft, at the behest of Ben Franklin and John Adams. He continued to champion this cause when in 1787 he spearheaded the Northwestern Ordinance, forbidding slavery in the newly acquired states of the northern territories ceded by Britain but which Americans had not yet settled. All the northern states were abolishing or were in process of abolishing slavery, from the 1780's through the 1830's, and ALL of them had abolished slavery completely before 1850. We were a divided nation -- hence Lincoln's campaign words in his debate with Stephen Douglas -- "a house divided against itself cannot stand." The whole reason the southern states seceded from the Union at the accession of Lincoln to the Presidency in 1861, was because the new-found Republican Party was an ANTI-SLAVERY party. It had its radical wing, that wanted immediate and total abolition, without recompensing the slaveowners, and possibly even enforced by military conquest. The more moderate wing, closer to the Democrats, wanted only to maintain the Union, to allow the southern states to maintain their "peculiar institution" of slavery, but to STOP slavery from expanding any further out into the newly greatly expanded continental-sized nation. And there were people in the middle. It's often pointed out that Lincoln said things like he would have preserved the Union but kept slavery, had the option been presented to him. But if you look at his whole development over those tragic four years, you see his genuine intent, not only with the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves held in bondage in those states in rebellion (but NOT those border states that had remained part of the Union like Kentucky and Tennessee), even then it was made inevitable that it would be a total abolition at the end of the war. And in January 1865, it was Lincoln who PUSHED so relentlessly to get that 13th Amendment passed in Congress -- his greatest and final act, a mere three months before he died. Everyone knew that this conflict was most centrally about slavery -- it was felt as a stain and a mark on our national character and our national pride, heritage and legacy, from the very beginning. But politics had to be played -- they couldn't just out and say it at the very beginning of the conflict especially -- even in the North they couldn't. It's a long story. But I think you're only getting one side, which has recently sort of taken over in certain conservative circles. And it is true that there was a metamorphosis of Federal power over State power as a result of that conflict. And that's where you're right, and I support what you are presenting. But to lose sight of the fact that it WAS a war in which the abolition of slavery within the United States, or its continued existence and our continued shame, praising and stating that we stood for liberty and freedom and equality and yet still keeping people in bondage, was the central spiritual meaning of that entire conflict. And We the People of the United States of America should feel incredibly proud that, not only did our northern States abolish slavery earlier than anybody else in the world, including Great Britain, which famously ended it in the British Empire in 1833 -- and from which the British actually got the idea -- but not only that, the British paid off all the slaveholders of the Empire -- they actually BOUGHT all the slaves and then freed them. The United States of America is the only modern nation-state that can claim that we actually shed blood on the battlefield in our conflict to end slavery. The United States lost something like 650,000 men on the battlefield alone (I include the Confederacy -- it was about half and half -- both sides lost over 300,000 each). And I include the Confederate soldiers in my thoughts too, because whether they knew it or not, that's actually what they died for, even if they were being presented by their leaders with a narrative that the war was only and solely about sovereign States' rights.

[@bartstarr100]

​@@smedleybutler1969hilariously wrong. Wow. Go back to school. A real school this time. It was about slavery. Pretty straightforward and accurate. If it was about States rights, then why wasn't the Fugitive Slave act about States rights. You've bought the KKK version hook, line, and sinker.

[@williamcabell142]

One of the Greats! Watch their concert “the Last Watz”! 😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@billalbritton4972]

These guys were the best at grabbing the feeling of a song and conveying it performances.

[@jimilemons7680]

Robbie Robertson was a Canadian Native American but the singer Levon Helm was a Southerner from Arkansas. This song was inspired by Robbie's visit to Levon Helm's Fathers home. His father said "The South will rise again." Robbie wanted to capture that spirit of the defeated but not conquered Southerner. Robert E. Lee was one of the more important Confederate (Southern) generals. In this song he is riding by after the fall of Richmond (Confederate Capitol). You guys are just awesome to watch.

[@joelong7448]

Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson were all Canadians. Only Levon was from the states and the south.

[@ZionForman]

Robbie was half native half Jewish

[@harlowrioux5790]

I absolutely adore the two of you. Your interactions with each other are so genuine. Your reactions to these songs you choose are thoughtful, meaningful and interesting.

[@mourlyvold64]

I second that!

[@anthonysardone723]

Amen!!

[@magicbrownie1357]

I believe this song is more about personal loss during the Civil War than any historical figure. It begins "Virgil Kane is my name," which could be any person living in Tennessee during the Civil War. A moving and beautiful song.

[@timothymoran1850]

From the film of The Band's final performance,"The Last Waltz" by Martin Scorcese - the greatest concert film ever made. The show's lineup is a roll call of legends: Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, The Staple Singers, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, Paul Butterfield, Ron Wood, Emmy Lou Harris... you get the idea.

[@bartstarr100]

Not their final performance. It may have been planned that way, but they sure kept touring without Robbie. I can show you videos.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

When I go away is probably the best song that describes Levon Helm sang. Worth a listen.

[@Turborocketshrk]

I adore The Band! I adore The Last Waltz!

[@rachelbrachman1510]

Greetings from Danville VA, home of the Danville train mentioned on this song. Love this song...thanks for reacting. ❤

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Thanks for listening 💚

[@humpy936]

Yep, till Stoneman’s cavalry (union troops) tore up the railroad tracks again.

[@dougwill8850]

The Late Great Levon Helm. He was the main singer, could play anything. A proud southern man from Arkansas, lived his adult life in upstate New York up until his passing.

[@Quebecoisegal]

He never lost his beautiful country drawl.

[@tammyjones8111]

And all the people were sanging. I love this song so much!

[@brandonjones1349]

GREAT CHOICE!!! I live in Richmond Va (Capitol of Dixie..slang for the South) ...i love that yall did this! Lotta history here. Ty MOA ☘️ 🇺🇲!!!

[@CharlieVetter-wk9hf]

By the end of the four year Civil War (1861-1865) one quarter of the adult white men in the south were dead and another quarter were wounded. The southerners fought harder than any other group in American history (except some Indian tribes) for their independence, so when their capital fell and their nation was crushed, it was a tremendous trauma to the people who suffered such losses only to be crushed.

[@RogCBrand]

America has 10 times the population today as during the Civil War, and back then on all sides, military and civilians dead from the war was about 1 million, so today it would be like us having 10 million die over 4 years! That shows just how massive it was! People see 9-11, natural disasters, etc., as being big, but nothing comes close to the effect of the Civil War!

[@dougs7367]

Sad that they were fighting for independence and became traitors mainly to maintain the right to own other human beings.

[@OcotilloTom]

Yes he was singing with passion. In the South many of us still smell the powder burning.

[@merlepedigo3994]

As usual honest and pure reaction, luv y'all from Dixie

[@mahatmakane1946]

Levon Helm -- the main inspiration for the Band's music, with a truly unique singing voice.

[@hannejeppesen1809]

That really isen't true, he inspired Robbie to write this song, but Robbie was the song writer. The Shape I'm in, is a song Robbie wrote about Richard Manuel, due to his addiction problems. Stage Freight perhaps about himself and/or Rick Danko. However, you are right Levon had a very unique voice and a great drummer, but Richard and Rick also had unique voices. I happend to love Rick's voice.

[@krisfox3537]

I first heard this song in i believe 1967 or 1969. I was a young teen. And i remember thinking that this song could have been written 100 years earlier. During the civil war. It is a brilliant song that will be played 100 years from now. Robbie and levon were geniuses. Robbie wrote the song after visiting Levon and his parents in Tennessee. Robbie had a long conversation with Levons dad about the south and civil war. The dad , being a true southern patriot. Told robbie that the south would rise again. That's what inspired robbie to write this song. Amazing that robbie is a Canadian and wrote such a great song about American history.

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Great story. Thank you for sharing 💚

[@Bekka_Noyb]

my fave song & performance by The Band! dbl ♥

[@Gashouse69]

In my opinion one of the most underrated bands. Each member a master musician in their own right. Fate put them together and we should be so grateful for that. Levon (drummer) was the only American and sang many of their songs. Canadians Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Robbie Roberson and Garth Hudson finish out the band. Lead vocals at times were performed by Rick Danko and Richard Manuel. Their catalog of songs is well worth checking out. They really don't have a bad song.

[@dagmar.6954]

"The Band" was a Canadian-American rock band formed in 1967. They started out as the "Hawks", the backing group for singer Ronnie Hawkins & later they were the back up band for Bob Dylan. Their most popular songs included "The Weight" & "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". But they had a lot of other great songs such as "Up On Cripple Creek", "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)", "The Shape I'm In", "Ophelia", "It Makes No Difference" etc.

[@John_Chu]

You should definitely listen to their performance of "It Makes No Difference" from this concert, The Last Waltz, from 1976. Rick Danko, their bassist, takes on lead vocal and it is one of the most passionate, intense vocals ever put on tape.

[@matthewlee6168]

This is one of my all-time favorite songs!

[@michaelwebster8389]

The Band had 3 brilliant vocalists. Probably Levon Helm, the drummer sung the most songs, but Rick Danko and Richard Manuel were both equally good vocalists with their own unique styles.

[@WpgFan]

The song was written by Robbie Robertson - oddly enough - a Canadian

[@JohnBrady-sc7ww]

With input from Levon. Levon was the one who told him he needed to mention Robert E. Lee.

[@tomframe4680]

They were Bob Dylan’s backing band and obviously a band in their own right. This video is part of the film “the last waltz”. They played their last concert here and invited all their music friends to join them. Check out the movie. You won’t be disappointed. I have recently discovered you you tube and I am loving your reactions

[@bartstarr100]

It wasn't their last concert. They toured for years and years afterwards. It was Robbie Robertson's last gig with them.

[@UKcanuck55]

@@bartstarr100 I saw 4/5 of The Band in a bar in Toronto in the early 80's, but I never saw The Band in concert.

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Welcome aboard! Warm greetings from Romania 💚

[@kevinsmith4429]

​@@UKcanuck55Saw all but Robbie at a benefit at Kezar stadium. It was billed as Neil Young & friends,Neil,them & (wait for it) Bob Dylan. In1975, could not believe it. Pretty sure he never played with them again. It had been a while then.Look that up, you won't believe the line up. Again, benefit for SF schools.5 bucks, at least 60,000.

[@bartstarr100]

@@UKcanuck55 so nobody played guitar? Interesting take. I saw 3/4 of Alice in Chains then. I also saw 3/4 of Metallica. Also saw 3/4 of The Who. This is fun. Any band we see missing any original member was just some guys. Got it.

[@DrStrangelove3891]

It Makes No Difference, live, from the same Last Waltz concert. You have to listen to that song, it will blow you away.

[@Mike-jl1rl]

Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel all sang for the Band. The whole band agreed that Richard Manuel had the best voice. They would each sing and go with the singer who fit the song best. An amazing band.

[@chuckfriend3580]

Crazy story but I was born in 1964 and I lived in western Pennsylvania and within walking distance from my house was a little country store that me and my 4 siblings visited a lot sold candy and sodas and we were there a lot and they had a jukebox with this song on it and they were right on the Mason Dixon line which separated the North from the South and it was called the Dixie Diner and the owner was really old and every time we played this song he sat in his rocking chair and tears rolled down his cheeks! I was just a kid and now I’m 60 years old and I still see Smiley’s face! ( that is what everyone called him)! Just a powerful memory for me every time I hear this Song!!!

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Wow, thank you for sharing. Much love from Romania 💚

[@cspringer333]

You need to check out one of the BEST videos on the net of The Band and The Staples Singers performing "The Weight" from this concert (the Last Waltz). I know you reacted to the Playing for Change Version (which is great too) but the Last Waltz version is incredible.

[@Quebecoisegal]

Another song from The Band and from this concert that hits me emotionally. Levon's voice is so real.

[@kimbarry4674]

1st Canadians inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame❤🇨🇦

[@squidkid2]

This concert was called "The Last Waltz" and was the last performance of the group before they stopped touring. It was recorded around Thanksgiving in '78 by the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Levon Helm who played drums and sang was one of the primary vocalists of the group although Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko also sang lead. I saw these guys 3 times live and one of those times was when they were backing up Dylan on his mega comeback tour. It was kind of ironic that they were winding down as Dylan was mysteriously reappearing after a long time in obscurity. To see them both together was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Great great live band - the best really.

[@marksterner7532]

Levon Helm (drummer) played the father of Loretta Lynn in the famous movie "Coal Miner's Daughter". He was absolutely brilliant in that role!

[@z0n0ph0ne]

Great reaction and a wee historical explainer too. This was one of the greatest filmed concerts of all time. The drummer, Levon Helm, was amazing and singing at the same time. A bit like rubbing your belly with one hand and patting your head at the same time with the other. Try it!!

[@rayduncan7703]

Awesome reaction to a beautiful song. Levon is awesome

[@edgarsnake2857]

To me, this is one of the very best Amertcan songs. I loved your reaction to this classic. You understood perfectly well what this was about. And btw, the Band has four different lead singers.

[@BennoHaas]

This film made in 1976 looks so fresh and 'modern' because it was shot with Panaflex motion picture cameras (like they use to make major movies & films) and was from the musical film "The Last Waltz" ... the movie was directed by famous film director Martin Scorsese.

[@DarrellFanning-bx7xz]

Good evening to my favorite reactors. Peace and love to you both

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Greetings from Romania 💚

[@danielhead8123]

One of the greatest live performances ever

[@johncopeland3826]

The Band ..3 world class singers ,one of the greatest songwriter's of the rock era and the finest musician in R&R history ..all in the one Band . ' Nuff said .

[@larryhelmeczy4320]

It warms my heart that you liked this performance because I like you guys and this was one of my favorite groups when they were around. As others may have said, all were born in Canada except the drummer and lead vocalist, Levon Helm who was born in the South (Arkansas). This video clip came their "farewell" performance "The Last Waltz" . You may have already done a reaction to the song "The Weight" , also from the video documentary.

[@TombstoneBlues]

I really love your channel. You can tell how much you appreciate music. I love your accents, as well.

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoy it! 😊

[@johnperrigo6474]

Me too. You are sincere and authentic and genuine.

[@ginaivy2941]

Thank you for playing this song. I'm Cherokee and German. I am also a southern 😊

[@more5600]

The Band had three lead singers, Levon Helm (drums), Rick Danko (base), Richard Manuel (piano).

[@allengardner4672]

The Amereicxan Civil war was fought over slaverey. The thing is you had family vs Family on many occasions.

[@lloydclevenger6756]

I have never liked the whole south thing, growing up a northerner. This song has grown on me so much since the first time i saw it in movie theater 1976.. heard it probably 500 times over the years and certainly didnt dislike the song, but never seeked it out either. About 15 years ago watched The Last Waltz again.. WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY BY WATCHING LEVON SING THIS SONG!!! The passion , the great lyrics, his brilliant singing, the SOUL.. AND THERE IS THAT SOMETHING EXTRA IN THIS SONG.. THE UNDESCRIBABLE!! So to me this version is an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE!! As good as any live performance in any song. HUGE HUGE FAN!!

[@jennywight9119]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song!! ❤❤ Could listen to it a thousand times and never get tired of it!!

[@johncoulombe833]

I am a volunteer interpreter at Manassas National Battlefield Park in Northern Virginia. It was the site of two major Civil War battles. First Manassas (also known as First Bull Run) was the first major battle of the war, fought July 21, 1861. Second Manassas was fought from Aug. 28 to 30, 1862. Both battles were Confederate victories. The war was fought from Maine to Florida, Ohio to Arizona.

[@chrislind57]

Levon Helm the drummer was the main vocalist on many of their songs. The piano player Richard Manuel was the vocalist on one song that I know of and the bass player, Mike Danko was lead on one that I know of.

[@Grateful_Dad_54]

Rick Danko

[@chrislind57]

@@Grateful_Dad_54 My bad

[@willfromyadkinville]

so much talent in this group!

[@judyyurchuk4904]

My friends were listening to Donny Osmond I was listening to The Band....thank goodness ❤🙂🇨🇦🎶

[@johnperrigo6474]

You had weird friends.

[@judyyurchuk4904]

@@johnperrigo6474 I was lucky I had cool older sisters

[@rodneysisco6364]

My great great grandfather commanded a brigade in the Confederate Army , CSA . He was the oldest of 4 brothers . He and his youngest brother were killed in two separate battles and his other two brothers were both wounded and captured in a third battle . The Confederacy won most of the battles but lost the war because they ran out of men .

[@woodyw6891]

😳

[@wesdoobner7521]

Yes, the South was pretty low on men compared to the Union, even with a large percentage of the Union Army in the west fighting native americans. They even had a few guarding the Canadian border, those Canucks weren't always as non threatening as now.

[@chickmcgee1000]

The more you learn about this band, it’s history, it’s members, their music, and this very special evening and the film directed by Martin Scorsese of this night and the fantastic interviews he does with its members, the more you’ll want to know. You’ll get more than enough information about this very special concert from your well informed fans. I really hope you wind up reacting to every song from this concert. It’s considered one of, if not the greatest concert film of all time. As always, the two of you provide a touching response to art. Thank You

[@willyroussel3563]

This is from The Last Waltz one of the best rock movies out there. You should watch the movie you will learn things.

[@emerald1805]

Written as a Southerner’s perspective about the American Civil War, and the Northerners invading the South. I was a young musician when this movie came out in 1978. I went to see it at the theatre about 8 times!

[@827dusty]

Song about the American civil war from the early 1860s to the mid 1860s. (Union) states vs the Southern states. Abraham Lincoln was President. As the war was basically won by the North, some of the Generals of the Union Army went through the defeated south, and ransacked people's farms and property for themselves. Think Russia in Germany after the end of WWII. This was not ordered, or endorsed by the Army, but simply something that was done by various officers in the army. The south was devastated and poor from the war, and many were starving. The Army would simply take their horses, and cattle, chickens, and even art and jewelry from these people. They were known as "Carpetbaggers." They were the minority, but they were bad people. Some were shot by the military after a court Marshal. Thanks folks

[@MerchantOfAlba]

Thank you for the info. Peace and love 💚

[@uniquenamegoeshere2263]

My town was ransomed and burned by the Confederate army. Horrible war.

[@annemaclean6634]

I remember that I had the single record of the version by Joan Baez, this was back in 1971, it's a great song. Thanks so much for your reaction. 😊😊

[@bartstarr100]

I love Joan, but she butchered the lyrics.

[@GergLounge]

loved this, thanks guys

[@dougieyou]

The Drummer....Levon Helm was the coolest guy God ever put breath in. He was such a humble person who was admired by so many fellow musicians. I miss him so much cause he is such an inspiration to me personally. The Band were so good, all multi instrumentalists and all could sing...so talented.

[@Captain_Yedde]

The drummer was one of three lead singers. They basically all sang and sang well and were all multi instrumentalists..

[@seansersmylie]

The greatest concert on video!

[@AW11-e4h]

Like my father before me,I’ll work the land 🇺🇸

[@mikemiller3069]

If you haven't reacted to it yet, check out the collaboration between The Band and the Staples Singers on the song "The Weight". You will love it.

[@leroycarr9]

Levon was often the lead vocalist, but not exclusively. Great song, great band. Love your heartfelt reactions.

[@mik9124]

The last Waltz was their last concert and they invited all the great ones of that time .... and they joined ... watch all of this concert it's a timetravel you need to do , all what music is all about happens that evening

[@3DJango]

“There goes The Robert E Lee” was about a ship named after a Confederate General being observed by Virgil from his mountain home looking down into a river.

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

150 years later (2009) the Danville train still ran along the James River through the back yard of the place where I used to live in Richmond, VA. The railroad still ran one train a day back and forth between Richmond and Danville. Used to think of this song every time the daily train rolled by.

[@scottdetter]

The subtitles are hilarious!

[@GranpaMike]

I love this band -- such talent. Robbie Robertson had some phenomenal solo work later on.

[@nooceluap7760]

This performance is from the movie "The Last Waltz". The band played back up for so many famous musicians plus they had their own catalog of songs. You should consider watching "The Last Waltz", it was a final concert before a breakup and they played with so many famous people that they had played with over the years. A real phenomenal concert!!! Oh and I love you guys, keep up the great work / reactions.

[@fantasycamp4000]

This is from The "Last Waltz", their finale concert. That's Levon Helm on drums and singing lead. All the members had songs that they took the lead.

[@larsonsrud2518]

I interpret the lyrics as the union soldiers leaving with the riches of Richmond and the South as they left " They never should have taken the very best". What the hell do I know, I'm Norwegian 😂

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

My sister was at this show. She still rolls one up when the band is playing.

[@donaldduck2139]

he sings mostly all, though others in the group sing some...were my favorite band in the late 60s early 70s. . . many a time would have them on the stereo turned all the way up . . . good days

[@mik9124]

Great like to Your Reactions 💕 , I would like timetravel to so many conerts of the Past , this one will ever be my Favorit

[@stephenpresley5772]

Great song and reaction

[@mariaakcelik8559]

A fan of The Band was Elton John, and he wrote and recorded - Levon - The Band's drummer's name.

[@rdkLakota]

I remember seeing them as a kid at an outdoor arena.

[@hlawrencepowell]

Levon Helm, one of the greatest voices in rock. Ever. He's the American of The Band and from the south. Rick Danko was also a lead vocalist for The Band. As was Richard Manuel. Three of the great voices of the last half of the 20th century. The best band of the 20th century.

[@andrewwright9378]

This was 1976. And 4 of them take turns at lead vocal.

[@bartstarr100]

3 singers. Robbie didn't sing until he was a solo act. And Garth doesn't sing

[@marksterner7532]

Bass player Rick Danko and drummer Levon Helm each took the lead on "The Band's" many songs. This video was from the documentary film "The Last Waltz" (directed by Martin Scorsese) which showcases the final concert given by The Band. Many of the greats in music gave stellar performances to add to the magic of this amazing concert. It is widely considered to be the best filming of a music concert ever. It was suggested below, and I definitely agree, that you should review pretty much every song from this amazing film!

[@DariaBilowus]

The Band has quite a long list of great songs. "Up On Cripple Creek" "The Weight" & "Ophelia" are some of my favourites.

[@robertjohnson1681]

If you listen closely to Levon belting out the vocals on this song... not that he couldn't do it... he clearly did and it was powerful and beautiful... but it's easy to hear the toll it must take on your vocal cords to do that over hundreds of performances. It's just the perfect voice for this music.

[@rhunt79]

Levon (on drums) was the lead singer on probably half their songs. But Richard Manuel and Rick Danko sang lead alot as well. Three great singers.

[@markpollmann7635]

The Band sound like is really like no other - love everything from the Last Waltz - but they also have some great music with bob dylan in the Basement Tapes and Before the Flood concert - get a real feel for American music , mix of country rock and blues - really enjoy the reaction