The Band: A History

The Last Waltz - Part Two

The Band: A History

Show Notes

Backstage The Band were a mix of emotions. Robertson recalls an “anxious but ready” Scorsese, and that each member of the Band was calm and collected. At around nine the The Berkeley Promenade Orchestra left stage and the house lights slowly dimmed. A large curtain of shimmering confetti lit from all sides was let down in front of the stage, chandeliers were then lowered to a position above the stage, increasing in glow as they descended. Suddenly, in the darkness, a spotlight erupted on Levon Helm, who kicked things off at 9:07. "Good evening..." Produced, hosted and edited by Tyrell William Lisson. Additional writing and research by Oscar Ashley. The Band: A History is part of Pantheon Podcasts. Listen to The Band: A History and a variety of other great podcasts over on Pantheon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from The Band: A History

Jul 15, 2026

Levon Helm built The Barn in Woodstock as a place to keep making music, make a home and then when stuggles hit - through throat cancer and in the process, built something just as lasting with his daughter Amy, who grew up on that stage and has kept it running ever since he passed.

Mar 8, 2026

Jericho was the first Band studio album in sixteen years, and by the time it arrived a lot had changed. Richard Manuel was gone. Robbie Robertson was gone. What remained were Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Garth Hudson, joined by Jim Weider, Randy Ciarlante, and Richard Bell, trying to figure out what The Band could still sound like in the 1990s.

Feb 22, 2026

Before Jericho, there was Tombstone.

Jan 3, 2026

This episode traces the final years of Richard Manuel, from The Band’s relentless touring in 1984–86 to his last night in Winter Park, Florida. We follow the grind of the road, the pressures that built around him, and the moments of beauty still present in his late performances. This is the story of a brilliant singer living through the hardest years of his life, the night everything changed, and the music and tributes he left behind.

Dec 15, 2025

This episode follows guitarist Jim Weider, from growing up in Woodstock to finding his way onto the road with Levon, Rick, Richard, and Garth. We trace how he joined The Band in the mid-’80s, held things together through years of hard touring, helped shape their final studio records in the ’90s.

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