Classic Albums: The Band: The Band

Recounting The Jouney of a Legendary Music Recording

Initially associated with Bob Dylan with whom they toured and recorded, The Band were soon to be acknowledged as a truly seminal band in their own right, truly The Band.

Comprised of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson, The Band were signed to Capitol Records in 1968 and embarked on a recording career that witnessed eight U.S. Top 40 albums, including three million-sellers.

The Band's eponymously titled 1969 album reached #9 on the Billboard chart, stayed 24 weeks in the Top 40, and was their second million-seller. It is now regarded as a rock classic, emphasizing their brilliant ability to merge various musical influences, including black, country, rockabilly, and rock'n'roll music.

The story of The Band and their classic album is told here in vivid words, pictures and music. Rock legends Eric Clapton and George Harrison, Lyricist Bernie Taupin, and musician producer Don Was pay tribute to The Band and give the reasons why this album is at the top of their classic-album list.

Band members Levon Helm, Rick Kanko, Robbie Robertson, and Garth Hudson, along with the album's co-producer John Simon, give unique insight as to how the album came to recorded in the former residence of Sammy Davis Jr. in the Hollywood hills and spawned such timeless recordings as
1."The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,"
2."Rah Mama Rag," and
3."Up On Cripple Creek."

Among the many musical highlights are
1. "I Shall Be released,"
2. "The Weight,"
3. "Rockin' Chair,"
4. "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)," and
5. "The Unfaithful Servant,"

all performed in The Band's very unique and memorable style and underlining their enormous contributions to the annals of popular music history.

Other Titles In The Series

1. Bob Marley and the Wailers
Catch A Fire

2. Steely Dan
AJA

3. Meat Loaf
Bat Out Of Hell

4. U2
The Joshua Tree

5. The Who
Who's Next

6. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Electric LadyLand

7. The Band
The Band

8. Fleetwood Mac
Rumours

9. Stevie Wonder
Songs In The Key Of Life

10. Paul Simon
Graceland

11. The Grateful Dead
Anthem To Beauty