The Band: "Shape I'm In". & Ronnie Hawkins: "Who Do You Love".

From the movie "The Last Waltz" ... I've got it on a VCR tape from a TV showing, then I bought the subsequent releases on commercial VHS tape / DVD, and now the Blu Ray edition. It's a bit sad watching it now that Richard, Rick and Levon are no longer with us, but it's a movie that captured a moment in time when "The Band" were about to split up, yet are seen here playing what might have been one of their finest performances. There might have been a fair bit of acrimony behind the scenes, but the film shows "The Band" preserved on film, and as a live music lover from a generation that hasn't much in the way of quality concert recordings ... I give thanks for this recording of The Thanksgiving Day Concert from 1976.

[@thurstonhowell2262]

Ronnie Hawkins came north from Arkansas and brought teenage Levon Helm with him. He gave a bunch of young Canadian boys their Southern soul.

[@adamkane4217]

Levon may not have wanted to do this show, or the movie, but he was clearly feelin' it on stage. He's so, so good from start to finish.

[@roccocormier3821]

I never knew he didn’t want to do the movie. Why was that?

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Well, he didn't want The Band to stop touring, and the movie was the end of The Band touring. Robbie had enough of touring, he had been doing it since he was 16, he was married with 3 young children, and 3 of the Band members, Levon, Richard and Rick were doing some heavy drugs etc. Robbie felt like if they continued something bad would happen. Rick and Richard had already had serious accidents, especially Rick, broke his neck and back, and the were crashing cars all the time.@@roccocormier3821

[@hannejeppesen1809]

They were all good that night, even Richard even though he was not in top form.

[@Cmaxutube]

@@roccocormier3821 because robbie was tired of babysitting a bunch of drunks and heroin addicts who didn't contribute any song ideas and wanted to just party and wreck cars. robbie was married with children, producing, writing, interested in movie soundtracks, interested in being the multi layered 50 year career success story that he became and wanted to end the band with one last show. and the others, as proven in their attempts at careers without him, were about to lose the engine to the train that brought them to these heights. that is why levon didn't want to do that show.

[@bengui9749]

​@roccocormier3821 Ending The Band was Robbie's decision. Levon didn't want to do a concert film, that too was Robbie's decision. Royalty issues were starting where Robbie was claiming complete songwriting royalties for songs that the others felt they contributed on.

[@yorgosalexiou8832]

Ronnie leaves the scene like an arsonist thinking "All good. The band is on fire.Big time...BIG TIME!!!"

[@steveanthrop8475]

I always thought of it as more of a nod to the boys. A way of letting them have the applause. But i do like the way you put it. Ronnie definitely thought highly of The Band.

[@scottcorkery7863]

Ronnie Hawkins loved those boys...and they loved him.

[@killdogmarine]

They all look so happy, even Garth. Ronnie Hawkins is the man

[@liza0052]

In Levon Helm's book, This Wheel's on Fire, he talks about how much he hated The Last Waltz. He thought that Richard Manuel should have gotten more screen time, but he also said that Richard looked really bad at that time, "like Che Guevara after the Bolivians got through with him."

[@wendym.7648]

Will always love and miss you guys. ❤️‍🔥

[@charatwell4519]

Richard had such a great voice. A wonderful soul that we lost too soon.

[@ronnyparker]

the Band was one of my life changes

[@user-mi7zr4ob5j]

Mr. Robbie really could burn that fretboard. Also this may be the first fanning of the flames on the guitar🍻

[@theresadmytriw4138]

Now The Beautiful Robbie Robertson joins the Band in the Big Gig in the Sky 💔🎸🎶❤️ Rest Easy 💐

[@joekosobucki2141]

Garth is the only one left?

[@hannejeppesen1809]

Robbie beautiful inside and out.

[@timmyteaching]

God, could Richard sing.

[@scottbartlett4853]

I've watched this so many times and yet this time is when I actually recognize how Robbie is conducting. He is absolutely leading The Band like the best defenseman on your power play!

[@joekosobucki2141]

When I first got into The Band, I thought Robbie was doing the lead vocals? Richard had a fantastic voice!

[@JamesKenneally-le1zd]

Watching this with amazement! The greatest night in musical history

[@paulmontoya4781]

So many memories with this music. Aww the good old days

[@farmerburns]

RIP Ronnie Hawkins...the Hawk!

[@caribouwho]

Big time, Bill! Big time!

[@jagtone]

Great stuff. I'm gonna have to go back and watch the whole thing again.

[@juanitasumner1410]

THANK YOU!

[@johnmcclung7536]

So cool no body today can can stay up with them

[@JayRiemenschneider]

Love that little delayed crash Levon gives at the end there.

[@janeharper9329]

thats what is what is all about rip ronnie

[@dace938]

RIP Ronnie. Gonna miss ya mightily.

[@NelsonConroyRealtor]

I met Richard when I was 10 yrs old on Brunswick st in Stratford at my cousins house 😢

[@Rileykeen]

That’s amazing. What a cool memory to have in the bank. I went to the same high school Rick went to… about 50 years later though. I got into The Band after college. I can’t believe there’s no Danko statue out front of the school.

[@communitypark2313]

The Heavens are surely Howlin...RIP Ronnie 'The Hawk' Hawkins...

[@rotorhd2]

saw Ronnie at the Cave in Vancouver the last show ever.

[@richardbrinton5109]

Big time talent❤️

[@gabrieldelrio9103]

RIP Ronnie Hawkins.

[@daniramc]

RIP Ronnie Hawkins

[@conormacpicks]

The Hawk!

[@adrianordonez8800]

Rip Ronnie

[@user-mi7zr4ob5j]

Garth in the back wanted in on it 🔥🔥listen🤘🤘

[@coleweston6740]

That was fucking epic 🤘🤘

[@gayleoverly7613]

Not in very good shape myself. Just buried the love of my life

[@kimh5566]

My sympathies Gayle. Wishing you strength and peace. 🙏 Kim

[@sup393]

90% of the money I made I spent on drugs and women. The other 10% I just wasted. Ronnie Hawkins

[@Sal-fn1pm]

Wasnt that George Best of Man United? Similar mindset.

[@user-mi7zr4ob5j]

Wouldn't we all 🥳🥳🍻

[@arthurshepherd8757]

January 28, 2024 Ronnie Hawkins Ultra Insane Extra Ultra Bad Most Badass Terror of all Archangels 'The Godfather of the Band' Immortal Ronnie Hawkins Kisses Michelle Clan Colvin

[@Himesok]

RIP Ronnie.

[@user-tr3vy5mk8t]

❤

[@murrayberger4344]

I worked for Ronnie Hawkins years ago before I was married

[@elsperger52]

Please tell us more.!!!!!!!!

[@jonathanwhitmire7580]

Ronnie must have come from a family of characters 😂

[@JohnDoe-cu2hl]

RIP

[@noellarash367]

This is where KC got that scream from

[@yuric4311]

big time

[@tonyj8011]

I wish they could have brought Roy Buchanan for this performance.

[@sup393]

Curious why you would say that. And I love some Roy Buchanan

[@ricofama1785]

@@sup393 Roy Buchanan was in Ronnie's band for a short time

[@user-mi7zr4ob5j]

Anyone know what rig robbie used?? His tone is sick and his guitar pkaying is professional as it gets

[@Patriotic327]

Deluxe Reverb or 2x12 version of it whatever that’s called. Possible Tube screamer.

[@mrbigghoss69]

rip robbie

[@user-bh5fw5nz6i]

Tl 👍

[@plamusiciampauladams3403]

RONNIE HAWKINS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMING THE HAWKS , HIS BACK UP BAND , WHO LATER BECAME “THE BAND” : HE RECOGNIZED THE IMMENSE TALENT OF THE GROUP : RICK DANKO , LEVON HELM , GARTH HUDSON , RICHARD MANUEL , AND ROBBIE ROBERTSON : THE HAWKS , LATER RENAMED. “ THE BAND” . THE ABOVE VIDEO DEMONSTRATES THE IMMENSE TALENT OF THE BAND. , PLAYING ‘’ SHAPE I’M. IN “ , AS A UNIT , AS WELL AS THEIR ZEAL PLAYING WITH RONNIE HAWKINS , ON “WHO DO YOU LOVE “ ? ONLY A DEAD 💀 PERSON IN A SHALLOW GRAVE WOULD BE INCAPABLE OF CREDITING ALL INVOLVED FOR THE TERRIFIC. MUSIC EXHIBITED BY BOTH SEPARATE AND COMBINED ENTITIES !!!!

[@Xac.Taylor]

...and he did🙃

[@JamesKenneally-le1zd]

1:20 . 😅.

[@arthurshepherd8757]

One who turns his back on a woman has turned his back on Heaven Brigid

[@arthurshepherd8757]

If anyone ever asks Me Who the most badass mutherfuc er in this world at least is I'll say: "Ronnie Hawkins hands down" Kisses Michelle

[@carlew12]

Who do you Love … ✊

[@alextakacs768]

THE BAND!! Why bother with a NAME just be simply THE BAND very smart its much better that NO NAME BAND!!

[@docsavage8640]

Man, what a great performance...until Ronnie Hawkins comes out and ruins it. Geez

[@andrewbicseymusic]

They were The Band because of Ronnie. Get your head out of your ass, Matt.

[@7550375503]

ahhahahaha

[@frankhawkins1018]

Hey Matt that's my Cuz--and he trained all those guys in case you don't know

[@JamesSmith-ou9sd]

@@andrewbicseymusic I can be trained by Jimmy Page, but if he came out drunk and ruined my gig I'd be annoyed.

[@andrewbicseymusic]

@@JamesSmith-ou9sd The Hawk is a straight showman during this show. I actually enjoy his songs the most out of The Last Waltz. But you’re right, doesn’t compare to Neil Diamond!

[@brendantaylor3570]

Big time Bill! Big time!