The Band

The Band started as the backing group for Ronnie Hawkins before joining up with Bob Dylan for his epic 1966 tour. The following year, while Dylan was recovering from a motorcycle accident, they shacked up with him in their Woodstock home and recorded the fabled 'Basement Tapes,' and their legend was sealed. Their debut album from 1968, 'Music From Big Pink,' is a rock classic; the follow-up album, simply titled 'The Band,' remains a cornerstone of rock Americana -- an astonishing feat considering four of the five members (Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Rick Danko) are Canadian (drummer Levon Helms hails from Arkansas). After a series of successful albums on their own, they teamed up with Dylan in the mid-'70s for his No. 1 LP 'Planet Waves' and a successful tour. Manuel committed suicide in 1986, Danko died in 1999 from heart failure and Helm passed away in 2012 of cancer.

Robbie Robertson – July 2012 Classic Rock Birthdays
Robbie Robertson – July 2012 Classic Rock Birthdays
Strike up the band! It's Robbie Robertson's 69th birthday on July 5. The vocalist, who started his career as a member of Ronnie Hawkins' band the Hawks and would later become part of Bob Dylan's backing band, eventually got his time in the spotlight as the guitarist and one of the vocalists for the Band.
Levon Helm Featured on All-Star Amnesty International Single
Levon Helm Featured on All-Star Amnesty International Single
It should come as no surprise that Levon Helm was working right up until his untimely passing on April 19 -- or that one of his final studio performances was delivered for a very good cause. Along with an impressive all-star cast that included Rosanne Cash, Donald Fagen, Warren Haynes, Eric Burdon, Marianne Faithfull, Taj Mahal, and many more, Helm contributed to 'Toast to Freedom,' a new single r
Levon Helm Laid To Rest
Levon Helm Laid To Rest
A week after his death, family, friends and fans of the late Levon Helm packed into his Woodstock, N.Y. barn/studio/performance space to pay their final respects to the singer and drummer of the Band. Helm passed away on April 19 after a long battle with throat cancer.
Bob Dylan Responds to Levon Helm’s Passing
Bob Dylan Responds to Levon Helm’s Passing
Levon Helm's death yesterday (April 19) at the age of 71 sent waves of grief through the musical community, prompting eloquent tributes and emotional remembrances from some of the many fans and fellow artists the drummer touched during his career. Levon's friend and former boss, Bob Dylan, has added a few words of his own.
Levon Helm Dead: Musicians React on Twitter
Levon Helm Dead: Musicians React on Twitter
The death earlier today (April 19) of Levon Helm, legendary singer and drummer for the Band, has resulted in a swift outpouring of Twitter messages expressing love and respect for the legend and his music. You can read the words of rockers such as Slash, Flea, Foreigner and many more below:
Levon Helm Dead at 71
Levon Helm Dead at 71
Levon Helm, drummer and vocalist with the legendary rock group simply known as the Band, died today (April 19) at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.  His wife Sandy and daughter Amy posted the news of his imminent exit on his official website earlier this week.

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