Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, died on January 21, 2025. He was 87 years old. Although Hudson was a gifted musician, he constantly faced financial problems. Hudson released his first solo album, The Sea to the North, on September 11, 2001. In 2002, with his home in foreclosure and Robbie Robertson having bought out his stake in The Band, Hudson declared bankruptcy for the third time.
In recent years, Hudson battled a series of health problems. Hudson died in his sleep at a nursing home in Woodstock, New York. Most critics credit Hudson with developing The Band’s unique “sound” and style.
I first heard The Band in 1965 at a Bob Dylan concert at Kleinhans Music Hall. Music from Big Pink was released in July 1968 and I eagerly bought it and the next few albums by The Band. Despite their success, the members– Rick Danko (bass, guitar, vocals, fiddle), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals, piano, percussion), and Levon Helm (drums, vocals, mandolin, guitar, bass)–dealt with conflict mostly caused by drug use.
The Band performed their farewell concert on November 25, 1976. Footage from the event was released in 1978 as the concert film The Last Waltz, directed by Martin Scorsese. It would be the last performance of the original five members. Do you like The Band’s music? Do you have a favorite song? GRADE: A
Track listing:
All tracks are written by Robbie Robertson, except where stated
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Up on Cripple Creek“ | 4:34 | |
| 2. | “The Shape I’m In“ | 4:00 | |
| 3. | “The Weight“ | 4:38 | |
| 4. | “It Makes No Difference“ | 6:34 | |
| 5. | “Life Is a Carnival“ | Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Robertson | 4:00 |
| 6. | “Twilight” | 3:17 | |
| 7. | “Don’t Do It“ | Holland–Dozier–Holland | 5:00 |
| 8. | “Tears of Rage“ | Bob Dylan, Richard Manuel | 5:23 |
| 9. | “Stage Fright“ | 3:43 | |
| 10. | “Ophelia“ | 3:32 | |
| 11. | “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down“ | 3:33 |
Album origin
| Title | Album |
|---|---|
| “Up on Cripple Creek” | The Band (1969) |
| “The Shape I’m In” | Stage Fright (1970) |
| “The Weight” | Music from Big Pink (1968) |
| “It Makes No Difference” | Northern Lights – Southern Cross (1975) |
| “Life Is a Carnival” | Cahoots (1971) |
| “Twilight” | 1975 single |
| “Don’t Do It” | Rock of Ages (1972) |
| “Tears of Rage” | Music from Big Pink |
| “Stage Fright” | Stage Fright |
| “Ophelia” | Northern Lights – Southern Cross |
| “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” | The Band |
If I were President, “The Weight” would replace “Hail to the Chief” at all formal events and appearances.
That’s my platform, I hope I can count on your vote.
Dan, you can always count on my vote!
“The Weight” and “Up on Cripple Creek” are my favorites by the Band. I really liked Levon Helm’s solo record “Dirt Farmer” (and he was so good as Loretta Lynn’s dad in “Coal Miner’s Daughter”—I’m surprised he never had a bigger acting career); and the work Robbie Robertson did for the documentary series “The Native Americans”, especially “Ghost Dance”. The Band was full of talented musicians, but drugs, drink, and egos tore them apart. And I suppose that could be the coda for any number of bands from the 60s & 70s.
Deb, you’re right. A group of talented musicians who achieved success let it slip away. The drugs, drinks, and egos led to suicide, bankruptcies, and disasters.
The Band was a self destructive juggernaut to compare with any of their peers in this…my only more favored band that comes to mind as more so was the Byrds.
Todd, even The Eagles, who dominated the music charts in the 1970s, couldn’t hold it together. The Beatles split up despite world-wide success. Surprisingly, The Rolling Stones are still together and talking about touring.
The ridiculous fandom the Beatles had to cope with certainly helped split them. There barely is a Rolling Stones at this point.
Todd, I’m about to engage in a project of listening to Rolling Stones albums that I’ve never heard before. I stopped buying their albums in the early 1980s.
https://iorr.org/talk/read.php?1,3080441 suggests the surviving/replacement Stones won’t tour this summer.
Todd, TAYLOR SWIFT has upped the ante on touring. A lot of groups are revising their plans.
The Band, perhaps most notably Robbie Robertson, were better at alienating each other than most, albeit David Crosby (initially in the Beefeaters/Byrds) was one of the emperors in that wise.
Todd, Robbie Robertson gets blamed for a lot of the dysfunction of The Band.
This is the era I remember best.
Patti, I was an avid record buyer during this era. I listened to music on the radio every day. Music was a big part of my Life. Now…I listen to music, but mostly Oldies.
I also remember hearing “The Weight” for the first time and becoming a big fan, especially when I heard that they were “Dylan’s band”.
But I also read about the trouble they got into among themselves, what a shame.
That so many famous bands ended in a similar way is a real shame – still don’t get it.
Some of my friends in the 60s also used drugs (I only had a few joints but since I didn’t like smoking anyway …) but stopped soon.
For some of them alcohol was their biggest problem, but that tool many years …
Wolf, same here. I have too many allergies to smoke marijuana or anything else.
Love The Band. We saw Levon Helm and his band in concert several times, once with Garth Hudson.
Favorite songs? Many.
The Weight – I have many versions. Love Mavis Staples’ version.
This Wheel’s On Fire
Jeff, I’ve been listen to several of The Band’s albums since I heard about Garth Hudson’s death. Great music!
Jackie said Long Black Veil.
Jeff, Jackie has excellent taste in music!
I loved The Band, especially Robbie Robertson.
One of my all-time favorite songs is one of his solo compositions – Somewhere Down the Crazy River. Very haunting and sexy.
Beth, I’ll have to find my Robbie Robertson CDs and give “Somewhere Down the Crazy River” another listen.
I love a lot of the Band”s music — my personal favorite would be Acadian Driftwood.