The Band - The Shape I'm In - Vancouver 1983

[learner2020]

Richard Manuel was, in my opinion, the real driving force behind The Band. His untimely death was an irreplaceable element. The group's hedonistic dive into heroine was sad. Robbie Robertson has not produced anything of artistic value in so many years that he's irrelevant. Levon still has chops as his last album demonstrated. It was great while it lasted.

[Zedisch]

@learner2020 I just can agree with you: Richard Manuel was the real driving force. He was living their music with his soul. nowadays you'll never find a musican like him

[Sdrawkab]

Most Groups Perform on Stage......The Band Jams On Stage

[sparticle1]

Guess Who, the Dead? , kill switch ... the Band

[sparticle1]

Has anybody seen my Lady?

[MrLiam65]

Sure wished I'd gone to see them at Convocation hall in toronto, on the 83 tour. I remember listening to it live on the radio strangely enough.

I guess it didn't live up to Richard manuel's expectations, sadly, but maybe he expected too much.

[clayrad1]

Oh Yea

[aditay]

41 seconds in..Robbie Roberson singing in the crowd...suppose he couldn`t do without them hhahahah

[JohnnyOzzz]

@robotorb come on, let's not go needlessly bashing good music here. The Band and The Guess Who are quite clearly both amazing bands, which one is more enjoyable at any given time is inconsequential. There's no need to bash other good music regardless of how great The Band is.

[leafhater1]

wonderful, Richard We miss you RIP.

[sparticle1]

@leafhater1 Sweet voice,...... when you feel the need to top yself, stop the drugs and alk, and read a book or 2 at the beach or pool, look at bikinis's or waves , become less self aware , join the human amoeba

and ... Quit harshin my mellow

[TheOffcialACCFans]

@sparticle1 thanks ive been meaning to get around to that!..the time is here!

[putdownan8dude]

manuel still wearing the 70s shirt. got to love it.

[Chrisdrumz]

Wow,what a wild crowd. I heard they had to double up on security that night cause they were so fired up.

[rotagen5]

Well I guess a telling thing is Robbies solo records just aren't that great. I don't know the details about the breakup though. Wish they were like the Dead and just kept truckin.

[TheCat1dog]

@rotagen5 just think if they had jammed out a tune for 8 or 10 minutes like the dead...

[Broblem12]

Thank you and blessings. They certainly did not need Robbie for this show, huh??? I personally think that the songs should have been published as group compositions.

[JustAintthatWay]

i guess all anybody needs to know about richard manuel is

that guys like clapton and manuel's own bandmates deferred to his talents

man that says it all for me b/c those guys are giants obv

[srowitt]

They had a special kinda magic going for them. Each very talented in their own right. Put them together and its as close to perfection in a rock band you will every see. And I agree that we should stop playing the blame game with Robbie and the rest of them. I'm glad I had such great music in my life to enjoy and sometimes to inspire. We were all greatly blessed to have their music legacy to enjoy.

[Mygrassisblue01]

why is everyone hating on Robbie ? he had more talent the all the rest of the band members put together...but it took all of them to make magic....Garth, Levon, Rick and Richard were all very talented musicians in there own right, but without Robertson they would never have been....Robbie wrote most all of the music, even though I am a Huge Levon Helms fan, I do understand that Robbie was the heart and soul of the Band

[ElvisThroop]

@Mygrassisblue01 he had more talent the all the rest of the band members put together

Um, NO! "This Wheel's on Fire" book aside, Robbie is a very talented guitarist but all of The Band members are/were very talented. Personally most talented musically would probably be Garth, vocally I can't decide between Rick, Richard and Levon.

[Hanzo99]

@Mygrassisblue01

Heart and soul of the band my ass. he most certainly did not have more talent than all the other members combined. richard manuel was the soul and garth hudson was the talent who gave all the members music lessons when he started in the band. robbie may have done a good amount of writing, but he was in no way the writer for all the songs he takes credit for. He was hungry for Hollywood so he sold his bandmates down the river. do your research. get it right. Robertson is a jerk

[thisismyidgdi]

It takes 1 man to write it, 1 man to sing it, 5 men to play it. On this song. It's time to stop arguing. They may not be the greatest song writers, the greatest guirtest, the gretaest keyboardests, the gretaest drummers (but sining nd drumming, maybe te best), but add them all up, the is the greatest bandwe have ever seen. If you disagree, comment. There is a reason they are The Band. Because they are THE BAND!!

[mexicansmell]

I think the Band's vocal harmonies are employed way more artfully and skillfully than CSNY's

[jabuhrer1]

Weed rules.

[Gnarltar]

These guys are war-scarred veterans

[bugsong]

Hey, hey, my, my. Rock and roll will never die. RIP Richard and Rick!

[66tull]

I don't know much about the band but I've always thought Robbie Robertson 's ego was bigger than his talent.

[inatizzy2]

@66tull Yes Robbie's Ego bigger than his talent for sure. Levon, Richard and Danko were the talent, Robbie was the reciever of the goods. Sad.

[WayTooDazedConfus3d]

@inatizzy2 Don't forget Garth, stupid. And I honestly don't care people bitching about Robbie just know that he wrote many of the greats The Band has performed, recorded. THE BAND will never die...

[LocalRailfan]

I just wanna hug Richard he makes me so happy :P

[TheRacboys]

This is one of my fav songs by The Band. no one can sing it like Richard.

[kennova01]

what can ya say ,,,,, hey hey.

[wheelinthesky300]

I know the shape he's in

...really bad shape.

RIP RM.

[Free1108]

I don't understand how The Band did not make a successful comeback with this group. Richard sounds fantatstic! As some mentioned...he was a wreck during Last Waltz (although I still loved his "I Shall Be Released") Robbie screwed all of them over...PERIOD! Richard is in great voice here...breaks my heart he is gone. Will always Love you Richard!!!

[altohart]

Think about the kind of music that was selling big in the early 1980s, then remember that The Band never sold a ton of records to begin with, then recall they were forced to break up and it seemed strange to make a comeback, and you have your answers. They were great though.

[creamofclapton68]

They were put into a corner because Robertson was being a douche and not wanting to hit "20 years on the road". Get over it man. So what's he doing now? Being Scorsese's bitch.

[altohart]

@creamofclapton68 I was, you know, defending The Band...

[creamofclapton68]

@altohart After looking what I wrote and then seeing how I responded to you, I'm pretty sure I was agreeing with you. I think the "Get over it man" was directed towards Robertson's ego about being on the road, not your comment. I was adding to your spice I think haha.

[Argotero]

Richard Manuel, is without a doubt one of the best north american voice, his tone and soul is only to be compered with the afro comunity, he is been a reference all this years, we just love him.....

[777jones]

He does a killer version here, no doubt.

[inatizzy2]

Oh Richard, why why why did you have to do that. Didnt they have meds at that time? I know U were self medicating but that didnt work did it my friend, God how we miss your beautiful soulful meaningful voice and soul. RIP Richard. Gone but NEVER forgotten

[JP2times2007]

clapton wrote the song holy mother about manuel when he died

[presti14]

love richard manuel.

[fredriknorand]

richard manuel had a great, great voice

[Kamzik2006]

i like this version more than the one in the last waltz, even tho there is no robbie, richard is in much better shape.

[tml1019]

No kidding!  I can't believe how much his voice had recovered

[bluesboy25000]

@tml1019 Richard looked liked hell in last waltz

[Landrew120880]

It's a shame that Richard didnt make it because his contribution to the 1989 Ringo All Starrs would have been stellar.

[1954telecaster]

LMAO, fuck the "ringo all starrs"

[Landrew120880]

Is it true that you will have some new music posted?

[Inspector711]

LOL

[simonbastienbelisle]

Thank you for the video Brian, is it "It makes no difference" at 4:04 at the end of the video? sounds like it. If you could post the song it would be really great even if you have just a part of it.

Have fun and thanks again for the great videos !

[Landrew120880]

It is Rick's song and yes, it would be ultra cool if you could please post that tune. Thank you!

[carlylea]

does anyone know where this was?

[srhs420]

I have heard/read a lot of trashing of Robbie Robertson over the years, but have never heard anyon blame him for the deaths of Danko and Manuel. I am assumning your tongue was planted firmly in cheek.

[603daveful]

I've heard the trashing of Robbie Robertson too, and think it is bull! My thought is what made The Band so incredible is their music was so tight, music, and vocals. They just fit together. I don't believe I have ever heard a band that played live better than The Band. Think about the Last Waltz...they just invited a few friends to party and play music. I'm thinking a hell of a way to go out!

[PageandPlant4Life]

The last waltz is a joke. Almost everything had to be re-recorded except Levons drums. And Robbie is the whole focus of the movie. They hardly have any shots of Richard or Garth. Then of course, everyone knows that Robbie moved in with scorcese to edit all the film, and they ended up snorting cocaine and having gay butt sex.

[CommercialVehicle]

page&plant - too much info chief ....

[milkman52879]

You should read Levon Helm's autobiography

[Landrew120880]

As a new fan of The Band, I am really surprised at how nasty fans can be to eachother about issue like Robbie and Levon. Beach Boys fans dont get this ugly even about Mike Love.

[chowderhead]

Levon really spelled it out himself in his book Across the Great Divide. He disliked Robbie in no uncertain terms, and gave good reasons for it. That Robbie has his own story to tell was missed by the Levon faithful. It's a shame.

Better late than never, discovering these guys. Their second album (brown cover) is one of the best records ever -- largely a mini rock opera about the 19th century American South. Every song is good.

[joeyjoef]

LOL, true

[davidmorrowjr]

According to "This Wheel's on Fire", Levon Helm's autobiography, co-written with Stephen Davis, the fellas from the band got screwed out of alot of money by Robertson because of the way publishing laws were then and the way studio heads operated (see elvis, creedence, etc) choosing one band member to make famous. This contribute to sadness (manuel's suicide), and diminished quality of life (danko dying young). Not arguing just clarifying what that person was referring to.

[slkypt]

you are correct in your assessment, i feel, and the evidence would support it.

[milkman52879]

I have read that Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm blame one another for Manuel's death, and I guess there are a lot of fans who tend to side with one side or the other on that one.

[Landrew120880]

Blaming either one for someone's suicide just isnt right.

[milkman52879]

I totally agree. No one outside of the band and those that are close to the band know enough about the circumstances surrounding Manuel and Danko's deaths to make such accusations, even if one or both were in some way responsible.

[zbipod]

We all live our own lives, to the end.

"Peace in the Valley", this stuff is great!

[HaFannyHa]

Richard could rock and roar. No one did it better. My favourite male singer. RIP you soul brother.

[cmichaeld]

Ya gotta love those designer jeans!

[stormcats2]

this has a great shot of Garths solo with a yamaha CS80 synthesizer. Thanks for posting!

[freeloader420]

I agree with Theyrun; Robbie is obviously a talented musician and amazing song writer, but he's also responsible for breaking up the greatest band of all time, along with a bunch of other shit. In documentaries it always seems like Robbie is trying to heap all the attention on himself.

Levon has got to be my favorite musician of all time; such a soulful voice!

If anyone hasn't heard "When I paint my masterpiece" performed by the band, search for it NOW!! not the live version, either

[johnfright]

Yes, Levon has the voice of Mt. Rushmore, but Manuel is one of the greatest white soul singers of all time.

[hypoguess]

@freeloader420

I'm curious to know: how did Robbie Robertson break up the band? I don't know anything about this story....what did he do?

[bugsong]

@hypoguess:

Yeah, Robertson was the primary reason the band broke up. He was tired of the road, but as Levon Helms tells it, he was the only one, and he was using it as an excuse. Levon claims Robbie turned from musician to businessman after The Band's success, which placed a lot of tension on their relationships. Also, Robbie was falsely credited for the writing of nearly all The Band's songs, which placed the other members in financial dire straights later in life. Helms HATES Robertson.

[inatizzy2]

@bugsong Dont know if he " Hates" strong word but yes,Robbie took credit where credit WASNT DUE. Hey we all know where the music came from. Dont pay the bills from the proud robbederobinson. Levon, Richard Manual were the voice and success of the band. Oh and cant forget Daaaaanko, he too had a voice!

[bugsong]

@inatizzy2:I just finished reading Levon's memoir THIS WHEEL'S ON FIRE--amazing book, btw--and I think what he feels for Robbie may even be beyond "hate"; he loathes the man. Levon places much of the guilt for Manuel's and Danko's deaths on Robbie's shoulders because he stole their spotlight AND their money. (No one else in The Band ever saw a dime for THE LAST WALTZ.) Poor Richard killed himself because of self-doubt and depression, and Danko died overworked and without a penny to his name.

[inatizzy2]

@freeloader420 Sorry Robbie is an ass. He took for granted his "Band" and gave credit to HIM when it wasnt always HIM,,, Whos voices made the BAND? Levon an Richard..

[inatizzy2]

@freeloader420 Sorry Robbie is an ass. He took for granted his "Band" and gave credit to HIM when it wasnt always HIM,,, Whos voices made the BAND? Levon an Richard.. Danko big contribieor too

[inatizzy2]

@freeloader420 Sorry Robbie is an ass. He took for granted his "Band" and gave credit to HIM when it wasnt always HIM,,, Whos voices made the BAND? Levon an Richard.. Danko big contribitor .too

[eeky1234]

@freeloader420 Man I could not agree with you more, on every single point. Levon is the fucking man, his attitude, his voice, his style, he is the man. And Richard, so soulful and Garth is such a ganster...I love it. Robbie Robertson man, fuck that guy imo.

[eeky1234]

@freeloader420 Man I could not agree with you more, on every single point. Levon is the fucking man, his attitude, his voice, his style, he is the man. And Richard, so soulful and Garth is such a ganster...I love it. Robbie Robertson man, fuck that guy imo. Oh and "When I paint my masterpiece" is like my all time favorite song -- Fucking amazing.

[MissSarahJaneM]

@freeloader420 Sorry, but unless you were there, you really have no idea what happened. Only Levon and Robbie and perhaps the Hawk (who's given me the lowdown). Honestly, just appreciate the music; it's you who kills The Band with comments like that.

[dmon1854]

@freeloader420 One of my favorites too!



[Theyrun]

Richard, Rick and Levon are my favorites. I love Robbies playing style but what he did to the others after the break-up I just can't support him.

VH1 Classics had him on narrating the last waltz too.

[hhhaller]

This guy could sure sing

[BrawnYawr]

levon, richard and rick each have such distinct and impressive vocals - you don't get that kind of mix of guys too often

[duncandenny]

We had that same sort of thing in the 60's with The Guess Who from Winnipeg.

[BrawnYawr]

really? i don't really see the similarity as burton cummings was almost exclusively the lead vocalist

[robotorb]

The Guess Who can't even touch THE BAND!

In any case, THE BAND are simply GREAT! The Guess Who are filler/background noise and typical Q107 radio repeats.

[joeyjoef]

@robotorb I agree, although Q107 does give THE BAND a pretty good amount of airtime, they do repeat a little to much

[TheTerminator97]

Note how crazy this "conspiracy theory" sounds? Then he names 4 people who are proven zionists. Do not remain ignorant.

[chu1234]

god damn he has the sweetest beard ever

[9429944]

Can anybody tell me where Richard Manuel was born, when and how he died, and ditto for Rick Danko.

[joeshlatbonk]

They were born in the mind of God and their talent was so great that they expired as it expanded in such way as choke their mortal flesh.

[thinkernotafollower]

I would like to formally remove my answer and leave the more accurate answer unopposed.

[thefansixties]

Richard George Manuel: Stratford (Can), April 3 1943 - Winter Park, FL (Usa), March 4 1986. # Richard Clare (Rick) Danko: Simcoe (Can), December 29 1942 - Woodstock (Usa), December 10 1999.

[thefansixties]

Richard George Manuel: Stratford (Can), April 3 1943 - Winter Park, FL (Usa), March 4 1986. # Richard Clare (Rick) Danko: Simcoe (Can), December 29 1942 - Woodstock (Usa), December 10 1999

[sco5651]

Richard was born in Canada. He hanged himself with a belt in a hotel room in Winterpark, Florida after a concert in 1986. Rick Danko died from a cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home near Woodstock, New York in 1999. Richard was 43 and Rick was a few days shy of his 57th birthday.

[vankoven]

They both died much to young. Thank Robbie Robertson for that.

[tdawg0993]

why?

[mjgrahm]

A great talent

[edicius52]

yeah to bad he killed himself huh? this mofo was amazing

[GraachAhim]

Manuel's rendition to "You Don't Know Me", also fom this same gig, is nothing less than astonishing. Never heard a better version, nor even with Ray Charles singing.

[lowkeyname]

This music, Richard's music, means so much to so many of us. This was the music of my life. Growing up here in Toronto, it was impossible not to know their sound and love it. I cannot imagine my life without their music. Richard, you were such an incredible talent and such a vital part of the Band. Your music lives on but you are missed, big time. Arlie I hope you are well.

[ADreamAbove]

What a phenomenally talented individual.

[yomamadontdanz]

Great Great music,the band was so much fun to watch and listen to,R.I.P.Richard Manuel..we never ever know do we that could have been one of us?

[rlawton002]

The Band had without a doubt the best vocal talent of any other band of that time or today or any time

[emwinter66]

@rlawton002 Unquestionably!!!

[Markgr122]

@rlawton002 yesyesyes

[marceldezwart2]

such nice music, love it!!!

don't think i will ever not listen to the band!!

[ToadMitch]

I would love to see more at the end when they start to play It Makes No Difference .

[astrid930]

love it!!!!

[CSNY225]

where can i get this on DVD? Richard is in his prime here.

i would pay a lot of $ to get this full concert.

[ShagOff]

i got this concert, its called the band is back. Its not that good cos robbies not there and the other guitarist sucks serious balls.

[dmongz]

the last waltz is probably one of the most poorly filmed concert movies of all time... no shots of richard in action except for the shape im in, little or no shots of garth, and nearly the whole thing is over-dubbed apart from levon's excellent performance...

[ShagOff]

Now how bout your opinion instead of levon's.

[flesheatingbull]

definately some truth in that post. richard isn't in the movie at all. thats blasphemy.

[anthonythirteen]

Nonsense - he sings this song and 'Tears of Rage'.

[flesheatingbull]

tears of rage isnt on 'the last waltz'. i believe that you are referring to the video of his woodstock performance.

unfortunately richard wasnt in good enough condition to pipe out some of his classics but they should have still included 'tura tura lura'. that is if they actually filmed it.

[anthonythirteen]

There's at least one long shot of Garth in The Last Waltz?!? Biggest problem was, as Levon admits, Richard was too stoned, Rick too drunk and Garth too tired, hence Levon and Scorcese's best friend dominate!

[aznjess]

there's a shot of richard in the last waltz and he's just staring for like 10 seconds ahahah

[edicius52]

that was dumb to say he is is the whole goddamn movie

[TheNYPine]

I think Rick gets an adequate amount of camera time in The Last Waltz. Richard and Garth def get slighted - too stoned, tired or not.

It was certainly a challenging project for Scorsese's crew, but they at least needed a camera on Richard in I Shall Be Released. Still the best rock doc/concert film of all time. RIP Richard & Rick

[anthonythirteen]

It would appear that there were many mistakes made on the filming: Muddy Waters only gets in because one cameraman kept rolling whilst the others went on a break (!). Consequently, I tend to go for the cock-up theory on the bizarre absence of RM on 'I shall be released'.

But it's difficult to escape the fact that only Robbie and Levon are really 'there' - sadly, that's why it's actually a wonderful movie, because it is clear why the Band stopped in 1976/7 - they were falling apart.

[vankoven]

Scorsese managed to get Robbie Robertson in just about every frame. I have the DVD and want to puke every time I see Robertson..

[Manmandudeman]

You mean the Last Waltz should have been filmed poorly?

[spenserspenser25]

I have this dvd. This is how The Last Waltz should have been filmed - lots of shots of each member of The Band.

[Jerrytheband]

The guy at 0:43 looks like a yound Robbie Robertson when he had a beard

[RebeccaJebson]

Richard was one hell of a talent. That man can make you feel the songs. A true talent that was gone way way to soon. RIP Richard. Thanks for the Beauty!

[brian600lyle]

I will make a point to upload Richards interveiw from this, he is way more sober then in The Last Waltz, and his all over this concert, i will also upload Chest Fever and King Harvest, which I Think are EXCELLENT.

[ASelinger]

BRIAN! PLEASE POST THE INTERVIEW!

[ASelinger]

By the way Brian, can you post more, like a Richard Manuel interview?

I would love to see a Richard interview from The Band is Back.

[forfunk49]

wow he sounds great!

he looks pretty bad though.....poor guy.

[ASelinger]

I disagree, I happen to think this is one of the last times he looked good. He doesn't look great like he did in his hey day, but he doesnt look even close to as bad as he did in Last Waltz. Sounds great. I am impressed of his condition right now. What a man and voice (and ex songwriter). Possibly my favorite famous person of all time (maybe Kubrick, Helm, Danko, or Robertson)

[forfunk49]

ya maybe i should have been more clear....he looks good BUT he looks 20 years older than the last waltz.....poor guy.

[TheScrotumTickler]

thats what I was thinking too