Amidst the initial turbulence of his inaugural solo release and subsequent tour, Levon Helm and his ensemble found themselves grappling with an unfortunate dearth of problems. Plagued by undisclosed health adversities and the intricate orchestration of conflicting timetables, Helm sought solace within the confines of the studio, setting in motion the creation of yet another album. Mirroring the approach of his maiden endeavour, he enlisted the renowned Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. In 1978, the fruits of his labour materialized in the form of his latest record, bearing the succinct name "Levon Helm. Determined, Helm tried to rekindle his solo career and finally garner the recognition he deserved. If you're in Toronto or want to come up for a special evening, Chest Fever is doing a Last Waltz Celebration at the legendary Massey Hall on November 18, 2023. Buy tickets here.  The Band: A History is produced, written and hosted by Tyrell William Lisson and post-production sound and editing by Michael Koehler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I try and put a few words together to honour Robbie Robertson, a legendary guitarist and songwriter. In lieu of gifts, Robbie's family has asked for donations to the Woodland Cultural Centre here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the triumphant launch of "The Last Waltz," Robbie Robertson redirected his ambitions toward carving a prominent niche in Hollywood. With a fervent desire to attain recognition as a distinguished producer and a rising star in the film industry, he set his sights on a captivating script known as "Carny." This enthralling tale delved into the dark and enigmatic world of travelling carnivals, promising numerous hurdles for the aspiring filmmaker – drug-induced debauchery, the inherent challenges of a novice filmmaker, and the lurking spectres of vanity. Undeterred by the daunting odds, Robertson embraced this opportunity as his pivotal moment to make an enduring mark on the cinematic landscape. If you're in Toronto or want to come up for a special evening, Chest Fever is doing a Last Waltz Celebration at the legendary Massey Hall on November 18, 2023. Buy tickets here.  The Band: A History is produced, written and hosted by Tyrell William Lisson and post-production sound and editing by Michael Koehler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Band's fifth studio album Moondog Matinee. A cover album with a mixed critical and audience appraisal, now fifty years later, The Band: A History is joined in a roundtable discussion by Michael Koehler and Annie Burkhart to dig into the album's merit. If you're interested in following today's guests, you can follow Annie here and Micahel here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Band had moved bases in 1974 from the East Coast and the cozy colony of Woodstock to the West Coast colony shores of Malibu. Richard Manuel, struggling already with balancing the demands of his band, his family life was falling deeper into manic depression, which led to excessive alcohol and drug consumption. With his family fractured and his habits excessive, the reeling Manuel continued to tour with The Band and Bob Dylan, rent expensive beach houses and cycle through a series of girlfriends. In reflection, Manuel called this time his "Beige Period." The drug use, recording and touring life, and some exciting times spent with Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton ultimately led to Manuel finding himself without a place to go after The Last Waltz. Would he continue to let his mental health and addiction enthrall him, or would he manage to gain control? This episode was produced, written and hosted by Tyrell William Lisson and edited and engineered by Michael Koehler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices