Robbie Robertson of The Band on playing with Bob Dylan
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Former guitarist and principal songwriter for The Band, Robbie Robertson, while discussing his new autobiography, called Testimony, at Saputo Auditorium at Lower Canada College in Montreal Friday, November 18, 2016, talks of how he and his bandmates came to play with Bob Dylan. (John Kenney / MONTREAL GAZETTE)
🌹What a storyteller. RIP amazing Robbie.
Is Robbie truly now RIP??
@@cynthialangley7338 as much inference between Robbie and lemon Helm ..
The night thay drove dixieland down..
I was there at one of the first concerts of bob dylan and the hawks. November 12, 1965 at the cleveland music hall. The band was only in their early 20s and it was a great show. Cleveland was one of the only concerts that they did not boo. You could hear a pin drop. I have seen dylan 35 times since then and met dylan on july 17,1991. He was walking down by lake erie by himself the day of his concert. He was very nice to me and shook my hand. Told him i was at the 1965 concert. I got a smile from him. God bless you mr. Dylan.
Robbie's not only a master musician he's one of best story tellers around!
Exactly,I REALLY miss the guy,R.I.P Robbie,what a magnificent guitarist and a master storyteller.
RIP Robbie. True gentleman and musician.
Mko.
Bob Dylan and the Band sound was unlike no other. It cannot be copied or reproduced. It remains one of a kind.
Bob has an unshakeable faith in what he's doing. It's pretty awesome. When we watch old videos of those performances, we fall over backwards with awe. Yes, those people WERE wrong! There is such a lesson in this. "The world came around, and we didn't change a note." Whew!
Bob was bold and brave but it was obvious it ate him to death hence the 5 years off following getting booed around the world.
The people weren't booing because the music wasn't good; it was because Dylan took folk music and twisted it into something that was the opposite of the values of the folk music itself and the folk music people that had embraced him early in his career and helped him master the genre.
It's facetious to say it was simply the value or quality of the music itself.
@@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec He didn't stop playing until after the booing had passed its peak.
@nora22000 ...I would say he didn't twist the folk music into something else, but rather evolved it... Remember, the folk people kinda starting that evolution when Peter Paul & Mary did their version of "Blowin in the Wind"...
When they did start preaching that sermon, it was one of the greatest sounds that would ever be heard. RIP Robbie, the music world will never be the same without you.
I've grown to really appreciate Robbie Robertson's playing over the years. Every note says something. There is no filler in his playing and it always compliments the song.
One of the greatest I ever heard. He could have hired anyone.
I've tried to relate this story to others - I gave up - only listening to this can you get it. They "absolutely hated" it!! Every time I listen to this I am smiling - I can't help it.
Perhaps being boo'd is one our deepest fears ?
They were ahead of the times & it took ppl awhile to see pure genius!
What a great interview with Robbie Robertson. I feel this is why Dylan is still making music now decades later. Not content to just sell records and stay in his niche, he has always remained true to his artistic vision above all else. Dylan and the Band together started a revolution.
This is one of my favorite lessons. Sometimes the world has to change when you know you’re right. When talking about the great Motown bass player James Jamerson, Anthony Jackson described genius as 1. having a new concept 2. having the facility to execute it and 3. the will to force it on a resistant public. This is what Robbie is talking about.
The Last Waltz is still an all time fav! And Robbie at Woodstock doing Going Home..........what a fabulous time in history!!
Goin' Home ?
I don't think "Going Home" is a Band song. They did play at Woodstock though.
10 Years After. Alvin Lee on guitar.
"I've never met anyone quite like Bob Dylan before . . . " Neither has anyone else, Robbie, neither has anyone else.
Did that greasy pimp Robertson actually say that? What a bore.
I have. Go to a prestigious liberal arts college and find the english department. Find the decorate students. There’s a lot of bob dylans.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 Like you bot? Are YOU a Bob Dylan? Such an ignorant comment you've made.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 The decorate students? You mean the ones who specialise in stencilling and wallpaper hanging. Yeah, I can see how they’d absolutely be exactly the same as one of the leading cultural icons on the planet.
@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 I don’t think college English departments, or any other departments, can produce Bob Dylan.
Robbie has a great way of telling this wonderful story... so funny!
Creative tension. Robbie knew the power of it to both divide and to inspire; but mostly to inspire. As I listen to his work, mourning his passing. Thank you for your contributions to music and understanding, Robbie Robertson.
Amazing history right there. Always proud of Robby Robertson and forever a Dylan fan.👍😉🇨🇦💜🌟⭐🌟🌟🌟
Some lights are so bright, it takes a while for your eyes to adjust.
I am laughing my head off.
You guys had balls of Fire.
Go Bob Dylan and The Band.
I saw Dylan and the Band (nameless at the time) in Seattle in 1965 on that tour. Dylan played the first set solo and acoustic, and after the intermission the band came out and they started the electric set. Immediate boos and heckling. Somewhere in the first half of the set there was a loud catcall from the balcony after a song finished. Dylan looked up into the balcony and said, apparently directly to the heckler, "I see you've got your new leopard skin pillbox hat," and the band launched into the song. Just the first line, spoken, and the band immediately came in. They weren't backing down. Best response ever to a heckler!
I had been a die-hard folkie but that was when I started getting into rock music. Solidified when I heard "Electric Music for the Mind and Body" by Country Joe and the Fish a couple years later.
I heard some other band member say it was so weird going on tour with Dylan. He said we'd do a show, get booed, then pack up to the next city, and get booed. And city after city got booed. It's strange people would buy tickets to a show and then boo the performer.
@@jx14aby Yeah, it was like the grumpy old men at the Muppet Show. "Why do we always come here? I guess we'll never know. It's like a kind of torture to have to watch the show!"
I was only born in 68. So I came upon Dylan in the early 80s. I didn't get the problem with his transition from folk to rock. I still don't. I'll say this, never has there been better recordings than Dylan and The Band produced! Love them all!!!
Well it only made sense to people in the context of the time. Dylan’s electric trilogy is typically seen as the peak of his discography these days (Bringing It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde On Blonde) but some people are just so stubborn. They don’t like change ironically
I have always believed in the music of the Band and Bob Dylan from the first time I saw them, singularly and together! Legendary I tell you….legendary!!!!
Robbie Robertson has to be one of my favorite musicians of all times. Bob had a vision of what "The Band" could do in collaboration with his musical prowess.This is a moment of musical greatness to hear R.R's version of the concerts which changed the face of the lyrical landscape in time and space.
I saw them live on 02/02/74 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. A great concert to be sure. RIP Richard, Rick, and Levon.
I was in the audience at newport when bob went electric half of us loved it
I know Dylan often sings about this.
Sooooo jealous, i was 25 years too late
you lucky!
@Kaptain Kid I think the words of the songs were very important to the audiences. I don't think the acoustics were that brilliant so you were going to a concert unable to hear the words
And I was in the audience at Forest Hills soon thereafter. Same thing. Since it was a tennis stadium, somebody threw a tennis ball at him.
Wow what a great story teller Robbie is and the story itself! Priceless! 🙌🏻
Robbie Robertson is without doubt a true legend - thank you so much for the music 🖖
Mark Golightly:
A legend in his own mind...!!!
Patrick Reilly I presume you feel that he's talking himself up, if you were an integral part of some of the best music ever then you'd have the right to brag, also jealousy is a rotten attribute as well.
I have my doubts about that.
That's amazing that they could keep going under such circumstances .
i was a huge dylan fan as were my friends and when the electric stuff came out we LOVED it .
We just couldnt believe that an artist could be so good at folk and then overnight switch to electric guitars . it was and still is fantastic
I saw Dylan and the Band in 1974 at MSG the "Before The Flood" tour. I've been to many concerts. Zeppelin. Floyd, the dead, Stones, Allman bros, and even the Beattles nothing compares. A night that I'll never forget.
Did they come back after the flood?
Did you actually see the Beatles or you lying
@danmozy I did.
@ where, shea stadium?
@@danmozy no forest hills tennis stadium they played the US open there back then.
Well I remember going to see The Band & the Grateful Dead in Jersey City & the wave hit me like a brick. Then a Madison Square Garden show at sometime in the early to mid-70s was like a freight train & up on the side of the stage you could see the place just going wild. Dylan staggering all over the stage while the music just pulsated with energy...The Band was just this incredible machine blasting down the tracks. Later in the mid 70s when I got to meet members of The Band and the Grateful Dead in different situations it became obvious to me that each member of each band were well established musicians in their own right. There was or was not magic on any given night...but mostly there was magic.
I was at that concert in Jersey City. Amazing night
❤
I would listen to Before the Flood in my teen years and used to skip over the Band songs. A few years later I was playing just the Band. Now I love both parts equally and it’s still thrilling.
Wow what a fantastic story of the beginnings of electric rock and roll with Bob Dylan and his band lead the way. I saw The Band's DVD 'The Last Waltz' a dozen times since the 1970s and Bob Dylan is even in it and it is all great. I bought The Band LP's and many Dylan LPs and cds and DVDs.
Mmmmmmmm :) chills, love this! Fabulous! Saw my Dylan in Little Rock (mid 80's) and Levon all over NW Arkansas
The small sequence, Bob's singing "Like a Rolling Stone" is so unbelievable great, that I cannot imagine that poeple booed in the audience!
Bob is definitely an individualist . He filters all that he sees and hears through his unique intellectual process. Dylan wouldn’t be the musical master he has been for decades if he was a yes man . Praise God that Dylan does music and song/writing the way he does. We have been blessed to live in the same time as the Laureate Winner for poetic expressions in Lit., one of Bob’s accolades ☮️👍🏼
He's a Poet.
Kevin L. “Laureate Winner for Poetic Expressions “ , gives a clue that he’s a POET via writing lyrics 🌈
"As reading declines around the world, literary prizes are more important than ever. A big prize means a jump in sales and readership even for a well-known writer. But more than that, awarding the Nobel to a novelist or a poet is a way of affirming that fiction and poetry still matter, that they are crucial human endeavors worthy of international recognition."
-Anna North from "Why Bob Dylan Shouldn’t Have Gotten a Nobel."
"Get out of the way if you can't lend a hand."
True yeah - ‘love to help ya out Anna - which way did you come in’
@@nancyrobinson7764 "The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face"
Saw Dylan and the Band January 1974 at the Hollywood Sportatorium front row with my Minolta camera got great shots of a glaring Dylan....................
So glad you stuck with it
I saw the movie last waltz and fell in love with the band and Robbie robertson
Such a good storyteller. It's so wonderful to have had someone tell the story of how it all went, from the inside.
Bob dylan truly is my biggest influence and i grew up long after his hay days.
Im canadian so obviously the band is too...but how loyal was dylan to stand by them thru 66 ..i respect the hell out of them all....rip richard rick and levon
Levon was American
Love Robbie Robertson & The Band, AND really LOVE Dylan, since my High School days, when The Band had already disbanded. Have gone on to listen & Love Robbie's more recent stuff, & found this interview interesting. Musicians don't always gel & jive, & it's interesting to hear what it took to change that!
I really enjoy this video. I could watch it over and over again, and often do.
Me too!! 🤣🤣🤣
Yeah Robbie is a stand up comik too who wooda thunk it? I watched the That was GREAT Lets do a whole Tour" comment over 'again and cracked up lol
Two years later, EVERYBODY wanted to play like that.
So So Beautiful ... you are so amazing Robbie so grateful
A great book very detailed he has so much to say and it took me a while to read it :) Dont sleep on it if you are RR fan. Testimony and what amazes me the constant touring never ruins their memories !! RIP U will never be forgetten Ive passed down my LOVE of the BAND to my kids !!
I went to one of those gigs in Sydney Australia they were amazing. No booing from this little black duck. I remember Dylan introducing "Like a Rolling Stone," to the audience. "Remember how this one goes well this is how it goes now ?"
I have been to many Dylan concerts and the game seems to be "Who can be the first to decipher the song he is playing now". That's part of the thrill. Also, he turned out to be a decent guitar player. Almost as good as Robbie.
Effin incredible story of vision and persistence. Effin classic music in retrospect.
I've always backed Bobby for having the guts to stick to his guns and follow his muse; against all those crazy odds. I also preferred the earlier acoustic songs, but I never had a problem with him doing as his own conscience and creative sense directed. I also came over to the 'electronic' songs after much listening and now they're just as important to me as the guitar and harp songs I loved so much from the beginning. Its all quintessential Bob Dylan and he had the honesty, courage and unmitigated balls to stand strong. There are too many fans out there - I'm a fan myself as well, mind you, but not that kind - that think they have a right to dictate to a musician what he should perform. Bobby proved to me that to be honest to the well of inspiration, you have to drink what it gives you and not pee into it by doing what is easy and convenient. Or it will dry up on you.
The last concert I ever attended was Bob Dylan and the Band at the Felt Forum 1972 , great memories.
I saw the concert in Sydney in 1966. The first half was acoustic and the second electric. He's right there was booing in the second half BUT a lot of the crowd loved it. I remember walking out of the stadium saying "what a great backing band."
I can hear stories like this all day everyday. Long live Rock & roll
One of the first 8 tracks I owned. Bob Dylan a the Band. Before the Flood. Epic. Loved it.
I have always loved Dylan and The Band. Thanks for the back story Robbie!
Robby this video is so great for young groups starting out.
When I was a teen in the 70's I knew about Bob Dylan of course and thought he was some kind of musical genius but as to really listening to him I did not so much. I had friends that were into him and they listened for me. That was fine. But when that live concert double album came out with the band backing him, man that blew me away. If Dylan's gonna play like this I'm gonna be one of his biggest fans. I loved it so much. All along the Watchtower, other songs, just amazing, so powerful, kinda raw but with all the poetry of Dylan on display. At the time i was clueless to the majority of Dylan fans thinking his rock'n'rolling sucked. Totally didn't know enough to know that what I thought was the greatest music I'd heard in my young life was supposedly so against the grain. Funny to look back on and think about. I wore that vinyl out man.
LOL, I'll have to start. I always thought all along the watchtower was a song hendrix made up, but of course he was no poet except with the guitar.
Same here. Like a Roling Stone off that album is just blistering, I played it a thousand times.
Two musical geniuses: Robbie Robertson and Bob Dylan
Levon would agree about Bob. His book suggests the Band were collectively the authors of their songs, but RR stole the writing credits. I wonder if that's why RR hasn't done anything significant musically since then.
@@andrewthegraciouslordrober327 He's gained more fans from his solo work from people who didn't even know about The Band.
More to the point ... how come Levon wrote no songs after Robbie left. None in his solo albums. How could Robbie steal any of Levon's songs if he didin't write any?? LOL.
Ty Rapp Well, if he's reached new audiences, they haven't exactly made their presence known. I'm afraid I think the eponymous solo album by RR is a typical bit of 80s output, overproduced, empty and vacuous, beefed up by other "stars" to give it cred, and is such a long leap away from the earthy nature of sings by the Band, it's almost as if ..... two different people wrote them (😳). , "Redboy" has one idea and no good songs to back it up, "Storyville" has no good songs and no good tunes, and any other albums he's made havent even been noticed, they are so lacklustre. It's so strange that someone out of whom so many great songs just poured for so long - both words and music - cannot come up with either now, yet he managed to write those songs all on his own when he was in the Band....
Levon made plenty after recovering from cancer - try "Electric Dirt" and "Dirt Farmer". I think both got awards, but could be wrong. Electric's a Levon doing Americana covers, but Dirt Farmer is all his, and sounds right out of the "Basement Tapes".
@@andrewthegraciouslordrober327
Helm didn't write any songs in his solo output. Even Larry Campbell who wrote songs for him said he was not a songwriter.
Robertson got nominated for record of the year for his first album. Whatever awards Helm got was with little competition in the "Americana" category which is about even with "Polka" record of the year on the importance list. "Storyville" was critically acclaimed by RS. If you go to his videos you will find all kinds of accolades. I'm also pretty sure more people know more about Robertson's songs than Helm's, and outsold him as well.
Your idea he didn't write good records is like your opinion man, just I as I don't care much for Levon's hillbilly music. It lacks something, particularly memorable songs. I don't hear anything close to the original Band music on his. Some of Robbie's is much closer to the Band's original melodies, with the only difference being his voice rather than the others.
Great interview segment! Made me want to watch the full interview, which is fantastic as well! THANKS ROBBIE- luv ya' man!
I never went to many concerts, maybe a dozen, butfortunately, I saw Bob Dyland and The Band in about 1973. My recollection is that the audience loved it. I sure did.
lucky to be alive in times to see these guys talk about it, even more so if you had gone to the concerts... #TimeMachine
Indeed.
Caught them in Central Park in 1971. Elbows on the stage right below Rick playing his fretless bass.
Robbie is 100% right! Rock on, Robbie!
Very, very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great interview, charming man
I loved the double album recording of these shows.
@Drake Miser, I'm a huge fan of Bob's and The Band.
I'm not familiar with the double album you mentioned - can you tell me the name please?
Thanks in advance..
God bless 🕯️
What a great interview. I've been a major Dylan fan since the early 60s and I also like The Band!
Lovely interview.
The Band Man!! Robbie was the leader of the best group that ever was! I miss ya!
Only the leader in The Last Waltz ,in truth The Band was a collective
@@albertandrews130 Actually Robbie was always the go-to guy throughout the years. He was de facto band leader.
Great interview per Robbie. I loved it!
Fascinating video, wish there was more.
And that is what you have to do when you want to change the status quo. Say what you will about Bob Dylan, he has never been one to pander to the audience. In the end that may be his biggest contribution.
Not sure why you felt the need to turn it into a backhanded compliment, but, okay. Fair enough.
one of the only true originals of the 20th century. he was doing it for him
Nice to hear this man speak!
That was great ! Lets go on tour ! -BD. One of my favorite r n r stories told by an icon of R n R about an icon ,and Icons of R n R 💜
thanks we saw dylan and the band in 1974 at the spectrum in philly what a great concert what a high that was
I saw the last concert of that tour, on Valentine’s Day, actually there were 2 concerts that day & I was at the earlier one if I remember right, the recordings for the Before the Flood album were from those sets-the last performance of the last tour of Dylan & the Band, in LA at the Forum. It was the first Dylan concert I’d seen since September 3 1965 at the Hollywood Bowl, my first one. I still have the ticket stub from that one. Now all these concerts are on you tube, I don’t have words for what it’s like, listening to that whole concert now, remembering things I forgot & feeling it. I never thought I’d ever hear that again, just a memory, but now anyone can hear it, it’s historic stuff. No one had heard highway 61 revisited then, it was released a few days before but kids didn’t know that, it was only the second public performance of Desolation Row, & Ballad of a Thin Man, so mind blowing, lyrics & arrangements. The only other performance of those songs was a week before, at Forest Hills, a couple days before the release of the album-Robbie Robertson, Levon helm, Harvey Brooks & Al Kooper, both performances, tight.
That's truly what real art is all about
Great stuff from a great musician. His autobiography is awesome!
On July 31st 1999, Levon Helm and Rick Danko of The Band played for the last time together at my home in New York.
Luckily, I recorded them playing and the sound is impeccable and they sound amazing. If you would like a copy let me know.
Support your local musicians!!
Are you related to the musical group the Clancy Brothers?
i remember that period, Rick Danko getting written up in relix magazine a little bit later....that's a life experience.....like the time i hung out with mt idol, herb Alpert , at age 13.....i recall right before 9/11 i saw levon helm play the blues club near the trade center.....levon walk off front stage towards me!!.....then looks right at me, then high 5's me!!...God bless you clancy brother, i will pass on the tape, i hope that you will share it here.....remember abbie hoffman said: free means that you don't pay!!
@@sail1292 I grew up listening to the Clancy brothers and Tommy
Hello Norman Clancy. What a fine offer! Thank you. How can I get in touch with you?
I am interested in a copy, thank you.
Please let me know the next step.
Robbies solo albums are some of my favs
My mum was invited to see Dylan and The Band during their 1967 Australian tour. She went with her best friend and two guys. They ditched the guys and left before Dylan performed as she only wanted to see the opening act.
LOL! That's fabulous!
Robbie was the talent songwriter great musician
I saw the Band in NYC with Bob Dylan around 1965 or 1966. I was 13 or 14. It was a very powerful show. Yes, there was a lot of booing, but us younger kids really liked the electric stuff. Somehow we had already figured out that Dylan was going to do whatever the hell he wanted with his songs, and we loved that about him. It was time for the stuffy folksingers to throw away their Corduroy elbow patch jackets.
Thanks for your perspective ❤
Fantastic. Made me laugh out loud. 😂
Such a great story from one legend about another legend!
Great one and totally correct- The Band and Dylan were out of this world great.
Man that was excellent! any aspiring musicians should listen to this and only this before they tour!
I’ve seen several videos of these shows, and hearing shouts and boos and then LISTENING to the music only makes that magical sound even more pervasive and poignant. How does it feel? It feels amazing!!
I remember seeing a film of Dylan in a dressing room after one of these chaotic shows. The folk doinks were booing him, abusing the band and carrying on like idiots...but Bob noticed something.
They always sold out the shows.
They were playing to packed houses every single time.
And his records were selling like hotcakes.
But...they "hated" him.
That's a really interesting point. Not being a "folkie" - I was into soul and jazz and ripping rock 'n' roll - I thought they were a bunch of pretentious hypocrites. I have calmed down a bit with age, but man, were they wrong. But as you say, maybe not totally, because they kept paying the man. My favourite takedown of the folk scene is still: A Mighty Wind, the film by Christopher Guest. If you haven't seen it, it's right on the money.
The appropriately named Pennebaker film, 'Don't Look Back'.
I'm thinking was this the transition Bob Dylan was making from acoustic to electric, and the folkies didn't like it so much.
interesting take...I've always thought the day Dylan played an electric guitar as the greatest day for music
Ah they were jealous
Thank you for sharing this snippet.
Soooo funny !
if you think about it, mid sixties Dylan was more of a protest singer than early sixties Dylan
I saw the movie last waltz and fell in love with the band and Robbie robertson
Those last words were very encouraging. Thank you
all the folk music lovers were pissed at bob for swiching to electric, i remember what a change it was for teenagers at the time to see this folk-hero hippie, who was one of a kind, dive into a differant style of music. people actually felt a sense of betrayal, though i always liked whatever dylan was doing with THE BAND, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
For along time I was only listening to bobs acoustic stuff it wasn’t until like a rolling stone that everything changed
Just watched "The Last Waltz" the other night (again)...they really were great.
Watched The Last Waltz last night...blown away!! Brilliant.
Very interesting thanks Gary
the Band were pretty iconic…
but history has shown there is no other force like Dylan !
The combination couldn’t fail …
I was too young to appreciate it at the time I’m 70 now
But I can see it in all its glory
the bands rendition of "when I paint my masterpiece" is magic!
Back after a year... LEGEND still!
My wife(God bless her soul)and I saw them play when they came to Australia and they were brilliant. Of course there were a few people booing but we sorted them out quickly.
Yes, Robbie, thank you for your observations. Funny how people were paying to boo. All those shows, you'd think one being more memorable wouldn't stay with you. But, Robbie, don't you remember Austin? I got there fairly early and watched all these other long-haired men and women streaming in. I thought just me and a few friends were letting our hair grow out, yet here were 4/5ths of the audience kicking in the long-hair tribes era at the first Dylan concert in Austin.
We didn't throw anything, we didn't boo, we were right there with you. The first half of Bob alone onstage some frat rats kept yelling out for "Song to Woody." Bob finally replied, "Let's be reasonable about this." He was wering a tight mod checked outfit and Beatle boots. Curtain came down, puzzling sounds, curtain came up and y'all blasted into the first song. Loud for sure. Go ahead! We're with you. The musicians were all in tune, the harmonica was right on the edge of painfully loud. Everything was PERFECT. Came time for a lead guitar solo and Bob was right in front of you, facing you, and you were playing great guitar.The whole thing was awesome. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack, stoned and thrilled and blown away. If not the greatest concert I ever attended, it was up there in the top five, and at least three of those were Dylan concerts.
Was that 65 Austin concert at the old round Palmer Auditorium? They might have called it Municipal Auditorium back then. South of the river. I grew up in Austin but I was four yrs old in 65. time machine!!!
Olive Eisner ;
I love this. Thank you.
The Newport '65 Dylan never changes.
He knows which way the wind blows.
The Hawks did not back Dylan at Newport
Tive sorte de ter comprado o album do The Band/Bob Dylan, um dos melhore disco que eu já tive.