In this mini episode, we dive into Robbie Robertson’s Insomnia — a vivid, late-life reflection from one of rock’s most self-mythologizing figures. Less a memoir and more a cinematic vignette, Insomnia captures the years between 1976 and 1980, when Robertson drifted through post-Band life alongside artists, filmmakers, and excess.
The song played during the episode is entitled "At Last" from Scorsese's Raging Bull, produced by Robertson and performed with his former bandmates Richard Manuel and Garth Hudson.
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11:08
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11:08
The Band is Back!
In this episode, we revisit The Band’s unexpected 1983 reunion six years after The Last Waltz. With Robbie Robertson absent, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson came together once again, proving their music still carried power and soul.
We trace their individual journeys in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the spark that brought them back, and the raw energy of their “The Band Is Back” tour. From theatre gigs and surprise Bob Dylan appearances to sold-out shows across Canada, Japan, and the U.S., this was more than a comeback, it was a second life.
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28:07
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28:07
Cahoots Revisited
On the 54th anniversary of Cahoots, we hear The Band’s most grown-up record. Less legend, more real life. We stay with six songs, “Life Is a Carnival,” “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Last of the Blacksmiths,” “Where Do We Go from Here?,” “The Moon Struck One,” and “The River Hymn.” Work, doubt, change, and faith said plainly.
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13:14
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13:14
Odds & Ends: Get Up Jake
In our series Odds & Ends we dig into Band deep-cut, “Get Up Jake”. You’ll hear how a scrappy LA studio outtake grew into a live showstopper on Rock of Ages, and even survives as a raw hotel-room demo. We’ll break down its driving groove, Helm’s backbeat, Danko’s bouncing bass and that shout-along chorus and compare the lean, two-minute studio take to the full-throttle live version and the stripped-down Calgary jam.
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18:33
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18:33
Interview: Stephen Lewis Returns
Stephen Lewis returns to explore his new book Richard Manuel: His Life and Music, from the Hawks and Bob Dylan to The Band. We explore the life and struggles of Richard Manuel, diving into his early years, his role in the Band, and the toll fame took on his confidence. We talk about the dual identity Richard held—as both a gifted performer and a deeply sensitive songwriter.
The conversation covers the highs and lows of Richard’s career: the creative energy he brought to the group, his battles with addiction, and the tensions that shaped the band’s relationships. They examine the challenges of collaboration, how personal issues affected the music, and the impact of the 1980s on artists like Richard.
Make sure you pre-order the book today.
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USA